Proposed bill promotes earlier eye exams for Calif. students

California Assemblymember Autumn Burke introduced legislation aiming to send students to school with healthy eyes and clear vision on the first day of class.

Under AB 2444, a pupil’s vision must be evaluated by the school nurse or other authorized person during the kindergarten year or at initial enrollment or entry into school and in grades 2, 5 and 8, according to the legislation.

“AB 2444 empowers parents to take crucial steps for their children’s health and school success,” Burke (D-Inglewood) said in a press release from the California Optometric Association. “Too many children are labeled with behavioral or learning problems simply because they can’t focus on the blackboard or school work. It’s important parents know the care that can help students see clearly and thrive in the classroom comes at little or no cost through their health insurance plans.”

Students must be evaluated for visual acuity, including near and color vision. Color vision must be tested only in boys, only once and not until the first grade at the earliest.

Furthermore, on and after July 1, 2019, school districts must provide an information sheet on pediatric vision and eye health annually to all elementary school teachers. The information sheet may be provided to the parent or guardian of a kindergarten pupil and those first entering an elementary school.

Pupils who first enroll in the school in grades 4 or 7 would not be required to be evaluated the next year, the legislation specifies.

The bill is sponsored by the State Board of Optometry and strongly supported by the California Optometric Association.