BILL NUMBER: AB 1840	AMENDED
	BILL TEXT

	AMENDED IN SENATE  JULY 2, 2014
	AMENDED IN ASSEMBLY  MAY 8, 2014
	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.  Existing law also
requires gross external observation of the child's eyes, visual
performance, and perception to be done by the school nurse and the
classroom teacher. 
   This bill would authorize a child's vision to be appraised by
using an eye chart or any other scientifically validated 
screening   photoscreening  test.  The bill
would instead require gross external observation of the child's
eyes, visual performance, and perception to be done by the school
nurse, the classroom teacher, or a trained individual who meets
requirements established by the State Department of Education.
  The bill would require photoscreening tests to be
performed, under an agreement with, or the supervision of, an
optometrist or ophthalmologist, by the school nurse or a trained
individual who meets requirements established by the State Department
of Education. 
   Vote: majority. Appropriation: no. Fiscal committee: yes.
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, 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, the classroom teacher, or a trained individual who meets
requirements established by the department.   nurse and
the classroom 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 validated  screening  
photoscreening  test.  Photoscreening tests shall be
performed, under an agreement with, or the supervision of, an
optometrist or ophthalmologist, by the school nurse or a trained
individual who meets requirements established by the department.

   (c) This section shall not apply to a child whose parents or
guardian file with the principal of the school 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.