Pupil health: eye and vision examinations.

Existing law requires a pupil's vision to be appraised by a school nurse or other authorized person in the pupil's kindergarten year or upon first enrollment in elementary school, and in grades 2, 5, and 8, unless the appraisal is waived by the pupil's parents upon presentation of a certificate from a physician and surgeon, a physician assistant, or an optometrist. Existing law requires the State Department of Education to adopt guidelines to implement those provisions. This bill would require, during the kindergarten year or upon first enrollment or entry at an elementary school, including a charter school, a pupil's eyes and vision to be examined by a physician, optometrist, or ophthalmologist in accordance with specified provisions, unless the pupil's parent or guardian submits a written waiver to the school or charter school. The bill would require, in a pupil's kindergarten year or upon first enrollment or entry at an elementary school that is not a charter school, the pupil's vision to be appraised in accordance with the above-specified provisions only if the pupil's parent or guardian fails to provide the results of the eye and vision examination. The bill would require a school or charter school to notify parents and guardians of the examination requirement and waiver option, as specified. By imposing additional duties on schools and charter schools, the bill would impose a state-mandated local program. The bill would prohibit a school or charter school from denying admission to, or taking adverse action against, a pupil if his or her parent or guardian fails to provide the results of the eye and vision examination. The bill would require the department to adopt regulations, rather than guidelines, to implement these provisions. The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement. This bill would provide that, if the Commission on State Mandates determines that the bill contains costs mandated by the state, reimbursement for those costs shall be made pursuant to the statutory provisions noted above.