Illinois General Assembly - Bill Status for SB0641

Amends the School Code. Provides that a vision examination must be included as a part of the health examination required within one year prior to entering kindergarten or the first grade, whichever grade the child first enters, of any public, private, or parochial elementary school. Makes related changes. Amends the State Mandates Act to require implementation without reimbursement. Effective January 1, 2008.

Deletes everything after the enacting clause. Reinserts the contents of the bill as introduced with the following changes. Provides that a separate eye examination is included as a part of the health examination (instead of providing that a vision examination must be included as a part of the health examination); makes related changes. Provides that physicians licensed to practice medicine in all its branches and licensed optometrists shall perform the eye examinations in accordance with the minimum standards set forth in rules adopted under the Illinois Optometric Practice Act of 1987 as they pertain to children. Effective January 1, 2008.

Deletes everything after the enacting clause. Amends the School Code. In the Section concerning health examinations and immunizations, provides that all children enrolling in kindergarten on or after the effective date of the amendatory Act and any student enrolling for the first time on or after the effective date of the amendatory Act in a public, private, or parochial school shall have an eye examination. Provides that each of these children shall present proof of having been examined within the previous year by a physician licensed to practice medicine in all of its branches or a licensed optometrist before October 15th of the school year. Provides that if the child fails to present proof by October 15th, the school may hold the child's report card until one of the following occurs: (i) the child presents proof of a completed eye examination or (ii) the child presents proof that an eye examination will take place within 60 days after October 15th. Requires the Department of Public Health to establish a waiver for children who show an undue burden or a lack of access to a physician licensed to practice medicine in all of its branches who provides eye examinations or to a licensed optometrist. Adds eye examinations to certain provisions that currently apply to health and dental examinations, including exemption from the examination on religious grounds. Provides that physicians licensed to practice medicine in all of its branches and licensed optometrists shall perform all eye examinations. Provides that every school shall report to the State Board of Education by June 30 the number of children who have received the required eye examination. Makes related changes. Amends the State Mandates Act to require implementation without reimbursement. Effective January 1, 2008.

Recommends that the Department of Public Health be required to establish a waiver for children who show a lack of access to a physician licensed to practice medicine in all of its branches (rather than a physician licensed to practice medicine in all of its branches who provides eye examinations), and that changes be made to the list of items included in an eye examination.

×