BILL NUMBER: AB 1840	AMENDED
	BILL TEXT

	AMENDED IN ASSEMBLY  APRIL 10, 2014
	AMENDED IN ASSEMBLY  MARCH 28, 2014

INTRODUCED BY   Assembly Member Campos

                        FEBRUARY 18, 2014

   An act to amend Section 49455 of the Education Code, relating to
pupil health.


	LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST


   AB 1840, as amended, Campos. Pupil health: vision appraisal.
   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.
   This  bill would also require a child's vision to be
appraised upon first enrollment in a state or federally funded child
care and development program, and at least every 3rd year thereafter
until the child has completed the 8th grade, as specified. The
 bill would authorize a child's vision to be appraised by
using an eye chart or any other scientifically valid technology 
, as  provided  .
   Vote: majority. Appropriation: no. Fiscal committee:  yes
  no  . State-mandated local program: no.


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 child at a California elementary  school or a state or
federally funded child care and development program, as defined by
Section 8208,   school,  and at least every third
year thereafter until the child has completed the eighth grade, the
child's vision shall be appraised by the school nurse or other
authorized person under Section 49452. This appraisal shall include
tests for visual acuity and color vision; however, color vision shall
be appraised once and only on male children, 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. Gross external observation of the child's eyes, visual
performance, and perception shall be done by the school nurse and the
classroom  teacher, or the caregiver, as applicable.
  teacher.  The appraisal may be waived, if the
child'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 child's vision,
including visual acuity and color vision.
   (b) A child's vision may be appraised by using an eye chart or any
other scientifically valid technology. For purposes of this
subdivision, a scientifically valid technology is a technology that
has been published in a peer reviewed journal.
   (c) This section shall not apply to a child whose parents or
guardian file with the principal of the school  or the
caregiver of the child care and development program, as applicable,
 in which the child 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.