Children's vision legislation

On May 1, 2014, Senate Bill 1172 by Senate President Pro Tem Darrell Steinberg, D-Sacramento, unanimously passed the Senate Education Committee. The bill would add a near point acuity test to the current vision screening process at schools. The measure is sponsored by Vision to Learn, a philanthropic organization based in Los Angeles that provides free eye exams to kids who fail the school vision screening. At the hearing, COA testified that it would support the bill if amended to require a comprehensive eye examination. COA is concerned about any legislation that expands the current vision screening process that has failed so many California children. During the hearing, the author indicated he was willing to discuss possible legislation to require an eye exam before kids enter school. View a recording of the Senate Education Committee hearing by clicking here (the SB 1172 discussion starts at 1:16:18).

Two other measures related to children's vision have been introduced this legislative session. Senate Bill 430 by Sen. Wright, which currently mandates an eye exam before children enter school, is being amended soon in an attempt to address concerns from opposition groups. Also, Assembly Bill 1840 by Assembly Member Campos would add a sentence to the Education Code allowing a child's vision to be appraised in schools by using an eye chart or any other technology that has been published in a peer-reviewed journal. The Assembly Health Committee passed this measure on May 6 with amendments. COA will review those amendments before AB 1840 is heard in the Assembly Appropriations Committee. 

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