H.B. No. 1297
 
 
 
 
AN ACT
  relating to vision screenings for students in public or private
  school.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  Section 36.003, Health and Safety Code, is
  amended by adding Subdivision (1-a) to read as follows:
               (1-a)  "Electronic eye chart" means any computerized or
  other electronic system, device, or method of displaying on an
  electronic screen medically accepted and properly sized optotypes,
  which may be letters, numbers, or symbols, a health care
  practitioner or other person uses to assess an individual's visual
  acuity.  The term does not include an automated computer program
  that assesses an individual's visual acuity through the
  individual's interaction with the program by playing a game.
         SECTION 2.  Section 36.004(b-1), Health and Safety Code, is
  amended to read as follows:
         (b-1)  The rules must allow an individual who attends a
  public or private school to be screened:
               (1)  using photoscreening to detect vision disorders;
  and
               (2)  using an electronic eye chart as a substitute for a
  printed eye chart to assess visual acuity.
         SECTION 3.  As soon as practicable after the effective date
  of this Act, the executive commissioner of the Health and Human
  Services Commission shall adopt the rules necessary to implement
  the changes in law made by this Act.
         SECTION 4.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2023.
 
 
  ______________________________ ______________________________
     President of the Senate Speaker of the House     
 
 
         I certify that H.B. No. 1297 was passed by the House on April
  20, 2023, by the following vote:  Yeas 144, Nays 2, 2 present, not
  voting.
 
  ______________________________
  Chief Clerk of the House   
 
 
         I certify that H.B. No. 1297 was passed by the Senate on May
  15, 2023, by the following vote:  Yeas 30, Nays 1.
 
  ______________________________
  Secretary of the Senate    
  APPROVED:  _____________________
                     Date          
   
            _____________________
                   Governor