BILL ANALYSIS

Senate Research Center	H.B. 1297
88R20766 MPF-F	By: Dutton (Birdwell)
	Education
	5/1/2023
	Engrossed

AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT

The American Academy of Pediatrics and the American Association for Pediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus have recognized the importance of regular vision screenings in schools and have issued guidelines for new technologies, such as computerized visual screening and electronic eye charts. Benefits to such technologies include detecting vision problems in a noninvasive manner, providing more accurate and comprehensive results, and saving time and resources for schools.

H.B. 1297 serves to provide students access to the latest advancements in vision screening. Computerized visual screening and electronic eye charts are more timely and accurate than traditional methods and thus should be allowed, but not mandated, to be employed in Texas schools.

H.B. 1297 amends current law relating to vision screenings for students in public or private school.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

Rulemaking authority previously granted to the executive commissioner of the Health and Human Services Commission is modified in SECTION 2 (Section 36.004, Health and Safety Code) of this bill.

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1. Amends Section 36.003, Health and Safety Code, by adding Subdivision (1-a) to define "electronic eye chart."

SECTION 2. Amends Section 36.004(b-1), Health and Safety Code, as follows:

(b-1) Requires that the rules for a screening program for special senses and communication disorders allow an individual who attends a public or private school to be screened:

(1) creates this subdivision from existing text; and

(2) using an electronic eye chart as a substitute for a printed eye chart to assess visual acuity.

SECTION 3. Requires the executive commissioner of the Health and Human Services Commission, as soon as practicable after the effective date of this Act, to adopt the rules necessary to implement the changes in law made by this Act.

SECTION 4. Effective date: September 1, 2023.