88R6267 MPF-F
 
  By: Dutton H.B. No. 1297
 
 
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 
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, to assess an
  individual's visual acuity.
         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.