72-6242. Provision of basic vision screening eye examination encouraged for conditions; Kansas children's vision health and school readiness commission. (a) Basic vision screening shall be provided without charge in accordance with the following:

(1) Annually, for every child participating in IDEA part B programs;

(2) at least once each school year for students enrolled in kindergarten and each of the grades one through three, five, seven and 10 in a school district or an accredited nonpublic school; and

(3) within the first year of admission for any student who enrolls in a school district or an accredited nonpublic school.

(b) (1) Every student enrolled in a school district shall be provided basic vision screening by the board of education of the school district in which the student is enrolled.

(2) Every student enrolled in an accredited nonpublic school shall be provided basic vision screening by either:

(A) The accredited nonpublic school in which the student is enrolled; or

(B) upon request by the student's parent or guardian, by the board of education of the school district in which the student resides.

(c) Basic vision screenings shall be performed by a vision screener designated by the board of education or by an accredited nonpublic school. Vision screeners shall be required to follow the most recent state vision screening guidelines for performing vision screening. The results of the screening and, if necessary, the referral for an examination by an ophthalmologist or optometrist shall be reported to the parents or guardians of the student. The referral for an examination by an ophthalmologist or optometrist shall not show preference in favor of any such ophthalmologist or optometrist.

(d) Each student needing assistance in achieving mastery of basic reading, writing and mathematics skills shall be encouraged to obtain an eye examination by an optometrist or ophthalmologist to determine if the student suffers from conditions that impair the ability to read. Expense for such examination, if not reimbursed through medicaid, private insurance or any other governmental or private program, shall be the responsibility of the student's parent or guardian.

(e) A Kansas children's vision health and school readiness commission shall be established to ensure the implementation of this section. Members of the commission shall be appointed by the state board of education. The commission shall be comprised of:

(1) One optometrist;

(2) one ophthalmologist;

(3) one representative of a health organization dedicated to preventing blindness;

(4) one representative of the department of education;

(5) one representative of the department of health and environment;

(6) one school nurse;

(7) one public health nurse; and

(8) one school administrator.

(f) Members of the commission shall not be reimbursed for meeting expenses.

(g) The duties of the commission are as follows:

(1) Overseeing revision of state vision screening requirements and guidelines no fewer than once every seven years;

(2) providing standardized vision screening referral letters and eye professional examination reports as referenced in the Kansas vision screening requirements and guidelines;

(3) identifying state resources that assist in providing opportunities to offer free or low-cost eye exams for students who fail vision screenings and are unable to afford an examination on their own; and

(4) establishing a system to collect data from school health personnel concerning the results of the original screenings and referral outcomes, as well as issuing an annual report to the secretary of health and environment and the commissioner of education.

History: L. 1959, ch. 310, § 2; L. 2001, ch. 215, § 15; L. 2022, ch. 50, § 7; July 1.