HB2967 - Relating to vision screenings for public and private school students, including vision screening information reporting for public school students, and to the creation of a vision care grant program for certain students.

      By: Dutton, Simmons H.B. No. 2967       A BILL TO BE ENTITLED   AN ACT   relating to vision screenings for public and private school   students, including vision screening information reporting for   public school students, and to the creation of a vision care grant   program for certain students.          BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:          SECTION 1.  Subchapter A, Chapter 38, Education Code, is   amended by adding Sections 38.035, 38.0351, and 38.0352 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;                 (7)     the number of times the student was previously   identified as having a vision disorder or other vision problem;                 (8)  the identified vision disorder or problem; and                 (9)     the type of screening equipment used for the   screening.           (b)     The commissioner by rule shall require each school   district to report to the agency information necessary for the   agency to prepare the report required by this section.           (c)     The agency shall store and maintain information   reported to the agency under this section using the data management   system described by Section 38.0352.           Sec.   38.0351.     VISION CARE GRANT PROGRAM 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 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, such as glasses or contact lenses   dispensed under a prescription.           (b)     From money appropriated or otherwise available for that   purpose, the agency shall establish and administer a grant program   for the purpose of awarding grants to cover the costs of:                 (1)     screening eligible students   for vision disorders   or other vision problems; and                 (2)     providing vision care to eligible students   identified as having a vision disorder or other vision problem.           (c)     The agency shall develop eligibility and selection   criteria for grant applicants.           (d)     The commissioner shall adopt the rules necessary to   administer the grant program established under this section.           (e)     The agency may award a grant under this section only in   accordance with a contract between the agency and grant recipient.     The contract must include provisions under which the agency is   granted sufficient control to ensure the public purpose of   providing vision care to eligible students is accomplished and this   state receives the return benefit.           (f)  Money allocated under this section:                 (1)     may only be used to cover the costs associated with   providing vision care to eligible students; and                 (2)     may not be used to supplant any other money   provided for the same purpose.           (g)     The agency may solicit and accept gifts, grants, and   donations for the purpose of implementing the grant program   established under this section.           Sec.   38.0352.     ACQUISITION OF DATA MANAGEMENT SYSTEM. (a)   The agency shall acquire and maintain a third-party data management   system to facilitate the reporting of information to the agency   under Section 38.035 and to maintain any information under Section   38.0351 as the agency determines necessary.           (b)     The data management system the agency acquires and   maintains under Subsection (a) must comply with any applicable   federal and state privacy laws.           (c)     The agency may enter into a memorandum of understanding   with the Health and Human Services Commission for the commission to   utilize the data management system the agency acquires and   maintains under Subsection (a) in conducting the screening program   for vision disorders under Section 36.004, Health and Safety Code.          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 ; and                 (3)     using visual screening techniques to detect depth   perception issues and color blindness .          SECTION 3.  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;                 (4)     information for a student's parent regarding   available resources for low-cost vision care; and                 (5)     information for a student's parent regarding the   student's potential eligibility to receive benefits under the child   health plan program, as defined by Section 521.0001, Government   Code.           (a-2)     The department shall biennially update the form   information required under Subsection (a-1)(4).          SECTION 4.  (a)  Not later than December 1, 2025, the   commissioner of education shall adopt rules necessary to implement   Sections 38.035, 38.0351, and 38.0352, Education Code, as added by   this Act.          (b)  Not later than December 1, 2025, the executive   commissioner of the Health and Human Services Commission shall   adopt rules necessary to implement the changes in law made by this   Act to Chapter 36, Health and Safety Code.          SECTION 5.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2025.