HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES	H.B. NO.	803
THIRTIETH LEGISLATURE, 2019
STATE OF HAWAII

A BILL FOR AN ACT

 

 

relating to school based health.

 

 

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

 

     SECTION 1.  The legislature finds that chronic absenteeism, poor health, and delayed or limited access to health care and preventive health services continue to hinder students' academic success and schools' abilities to meet the needs of the whole child.  The legislature also recognizes that school based health programs support the department of education in achieving student, school, and system success by providing school health services to public school children across the State.

     The legislature acknowledges that vision services are in high demand for school-aged children.  In Hawaii, one in four children will need glasses to participate fully in school, yet thirty-five per cent of children have never seen an eye care professional.  In 1989, vision screening was mandated for certain age groups in department of education schools; however, the department of health program was defunded in 1997.  Since then, there have not been consistent recommendations for vision screening best practice methodology and follow-up.  It has become clear that this has led to a fragmented system and further support and guidance is necessary to ensure best practice methods of vision screening are achieved.

     The purpose of this Act is to appropriate funds for the department of education to develop an evidence-based vision screening and eye assessment system to achieve sustainable and comprehensive academic improvements and health outcomes for Hawaii's public school students.

     SECTION 2.  There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $500,000 or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2019-2020 and the same sum or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2020-2021 to develop an evidence-based vision screening and eye assessment system for children in pre-kindergarten through grade twelve.

     The sums appropriated shall be expended by the department of education for the purposes of this Act.

     SECTION 3.  This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2019.

 

INTRODUCED BY:	_____________________________

 

 

Report Title:

Department of Education; School Based Health; Vision Screening; Eye Assessment; Appropriation

 

Description:

Requires the department of education to develop an evidence-based vision screening and eye assessment system for children in pre-kindergarten through grade twelve.  Appropriates funds.

 

 

 

The summary description of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.