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Minutes for HB2346 - Committee on Children and Seniors

Short Title

Relating to standards for school-administered vision screenings.

Minutes Content for Mon, Feb 25, 2019

Minutes for January 24, 28, 29, 30, 31 and February 11, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23 were discussed and approved.

Kyle Hamilton gave an overview of HB2346. (Attachment 1).  Larry Campbell provided the committee with a written fiscal note on the bill.(Attachment 2)

Todd Fleischer spoke as a proponent of the bill stating the law was originally written in 1959. There has not been a revision to bring it into line with new technology and the new understanding of the needs for different kinds of screening for different age groups. They also wanted to create a commission to overview the process so that it can be reviewed and brought up to date on a regular basis.  (Attachment 3)

Cindy Galehorne, a retired school nurse who helped do this study, joined Fleischer and spoke to how the new guidelines were written. She said it is very common to have screening in schools. Forty states have written statutes requiring school screening. She said a commission is needed to review law to keep it current and the commission is to meet every seven years to update the standards.

Jessica King gave written testimony documenting the need for vision screening because it helps to identify and to resolve reading and other education problems. (Attachment 4)

Closed hearing at 2:30 PM

Representative Humphries moved and Representative Ousley seconded to suspend the rules and work this bill immediately. The Committee voted to work the bill. Representative Neighbor motioned to pass the bill favorably out of committee. It was seconded by Representative Ruiz. Representative Dierks moved to make an amendment. It was seconded by Representative Ousley. The amendment passed.

Representative  Neighbors moved to pass the HB2346 favorably as amended. Representative Mastroni seconded. It passed.