California Senate Bill SB430 Amended / Bill

 BILL NUMBER: SB 430AMENDED BILL TEXT AMENDED IN SENATE APRIL 18, 2013 INTRODUCED BY Senator Wright  (   Coauthor:   Senator   Hancock   )  (  Coauthor:   Assembly Member   Mitchell   Coauthors:   Assembly Members   Mitchell   and John A. Prez  ) FEBRUARY 21, 2013 An act to amend Section 49455 of the Education Code, relating to pupil health. LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST SB 430, as amended, Wright. Pupil health: vision appraisal: binocular function. Existing law requires, upon first enrollment in a California school district of a child at a California elementary school, and at least every 3rd year thereafter until the child has completed the 8th grade, the child's vision to be appraised by the school nurse or other authorized person, as specified. Existing law requires this appraisal to include tests for visual acuity and color vision. This bill would require the appraisal to also include a  screening  test for binocular function. The bill would provide that the binocular function appraisal need not begin until the pupil has reached the 3rd grade and would authorize the binocular function appraisal to include a validated symptom survey, as specified. By requiring a school nurse or other authorized person to test for binocular function, the bill would impose a state-mandated local program. This bill would also make nonsubstantive changes to this provision. The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement. This bill would provide that, if the Commission on State Mandates determines that the bill contains costs mandated by the state, reimbursement for those costs shall be made pursuant to these statutory provisions. Vote: majority. Appropriation: no. Fiscal committee: yes. State-mandated local program: yes. THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS: SECTION 1. Section 49455 of the Education Code is amended to read: 49455. (a) Upon first enrollment in a California school district of a pupil at a California elementary school, and at least every third year thereafter until the pupil has completed the 8th grade, the pupil's vision shall be appraised by the school nurse or other authorized person under Section 49452. This appraisal shall include  screening  tests for visual acuity, binocular function, and color vision; however, color vision shall be appraised once and only on male pupils, and the results of the appraisal shall be entered in the health record of the pupil. Color vision appraisal need not begin until the male pupil has reached the first grade. Binocular function appraisal need not begin until the pupil has reached the  3rd   third  grade. Gross external observation of the pupil's eyes, visual performance, and perception shall be done by the school nurse and the classroom teacher. The appraisal may be waived, if the pupil's parents so desire, by their presenting of a certificate from a physician and surgeon, a physician assistant practicing in compliance with Chapter 7.7 (commencing with Section 3500) of Division 2 of the Business and Professions Code, or an optometrist setting out the results of a determination of the pupil's vision, including visual acuity, binocular function, and color vision. (b) This section shall not apply to a pupil whose parents or guardian file with the principal of the school in which the pupil is enrolling, a statement in writing that they adhere to the faith or teachings of any well-recognized religious sect, denomination, or organization and in accordance with its creed, tenets, or principles depend for healing upon prayer in the practice of their religion. (c) The binocular function appraisal required by subdivision (a) may include a validated symptom survey developed during a National Institute of  Health   Health's  clinical trial and published for use in the public domain. SEC. 2. If the Commission on State Mandates determines that this act contains costs mandated by the state, reimbursement to local agencies and school districts for those costs shall be made pursuant to Part 7 (commencing with Section 17500) of Division 4 of Title 2 of the Government Code.