BILL NUMBER: SR 31ENROLLED BILL TEXT ADOPTED IN SENATE JUNE 11, 2015 ADOPTED IN ASSEMBLY MAY 18, 2015 INTRODUCED BY Senator Vidak MAY 18, 2015 Relative to Child Vision Awareness Month LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST HOUSE OR SENATE RESOLUTIONS DO NOT CONTAIN A DIGEST WHEREAS, Prevent Blindness America indicates that more than 12 million children suffer from vision impairment, and that eye injuries are one of the leading causes of vision loss in children; and WHEREAS, Nearly 25 percent of schoolage children have vision problems, and, among children three to five years of age, close to one in 20 has a problem that could result in permanent vision loss if left untreated; and WHEREAS, An estimated 2.4 million eye injuries occur annually in the United States and nearly 35 percent of these eye injuries happen to children 17 years of age and younger; and WHEREAS, Prevent Blindness America estimates that in California the direct and indirect costs of eye injuries and vision loss among children 17 years of age and younger are approximately $800,000 each year; now, therefore, be it Resolved by the Senate of the State of California, That the Senate designates the month of June 2015 as Child Vision Awareness Month in California; and be it further Resolved, That the Senate recognizes the partnership between Prevent Blindness America and the American Academy of Ophthalmology as a highly successful effort to educate families about children's eye health and safety; and be it further Resolved, That the State Department of Public Health should educate parents about signs that may indicate their child has vision problems as well as encourage parents to begin eye examinations for their children by three years of age; and be it further Resolved, That the State Department of Public Health should encourage parents to discuss the importance of eye safety with their children, to select age-appropriate toys without sharp or protruding parts, and to urge their children to wear protective eyewear while participating in sports or recreational activities; and be it further Resolved, That the Secretary of the Senate transmit copies of this resolution to the author for appropriate distribution.