89R4247 MPF/AMF-F

By: Dutton H.B. No. 2967

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to vision screenings for students in public or private school, including vision screening information reporting for public school students and the creation of a vision care allotment under the Foundation School Program.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:

SECTION 1. Subchapter A, Chapter 38, Education Code, is amended by adding Section 38.035 to read as follows:

Sec. 38.035. VISION SCREENING REPORTING. (a) Not later than May 31 of each year, the agency shall post on the agency's Internet website a report regarding the number of students in each school district identified as having a vision disorder or other vision problem requiring vision care under the screening program described by Section 36.004, Health and Safety Code, disaggregated by:

(1) grade level;

(2) campus;

(3) gender;

(4) race;

(5) ethnicity;

(6) whether the student is educationally disadvantaged; and

(7) the number of times the student has previously been identified as having a vision disorder or other vision problem requiring vision care.

(b) The commissioner by rule shall require each school district to report through the Public Education Information Management System (PEIMS) information necessary for the agency to prepare the report required by this section.

SECTION 2. Subchapter C, Chapter 48, Education Code, is amended by adding Section 48.1035 to read as follows:

Sec. 48.1035. ALLOTMENT FOR VISION CARE FOR CERTAIN STUDENTS. (a) In this section:

(1) "Eligible student" means a student who:

(A) has been identified as having a vision disorder or other vision problem requiring vision care under the screening program described by Section 36.004, Health and Safety Code; and

(B) is educationally disadvantaged.

(2) "Vision care" includes eye exams and assistive or corrective visual devices, including glasses or contact lenses.

(b) A school district is entitled to an annual allotment equal to $75 or a greater amount provided by appropriation for each eligible student in average daily attendance.

(c) Funds allocated under this section must be used to pay for costs associated with providing vision care to eligible students, which may include reimbursing the parent of an eligible student for vision care provided to that student.

(d) Funds allocated under this section may not be used to supplant any other funds provided for the same purpose.

SECTION 3. 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; and

(3) using visual screening techniques to detect depth perception issues and color blindness.

SECTION 4. Section 36.006, Health and Safety Code, is amended by adding Subsections (a-1) and (a-2) to read as follows:

(a-1) The form prescribed by the department under Subsection (a) must include:

(1) separate spaces for the student's first and last name;

(2) a space for the preschool's or school's name;

(3) a space for the student's grade level; and

(4) information for a student's parents regarding available resources for low-cost vision care.

(a-2) The department shall biennially update the form information required under Subsection (a-1)(4).

SECTION 5. (a) As soon as practicable after the effective date of this Act, the commissioner of education shall adopt rules necessary to implement Sections 38.035 and 48.1035, Education Code, as added by this Act.

(b) The executive commissioner of the Health and Human Services Commission shall, as soon as practicable after the effective date of this Act, adopt rules necessary to implement the changes in law made by this Act to Chapter 36, Health and Safety Code.

SECTION 6. This Act takes effect September 1, 2025.