SB1456 Summary

• Amends Title 36, Chapter 7.2 of Arizona Revised Statutes to add vision screening requirements for schools, changing the chapter heading from "Child Hearing Programs" to "Child Hearing Evaluation and Vision Screening Programs."

• Requires schools to provide vision screenings to students upon initial entry, at additional grade levels prescribed by the Department of Health Services, students receiving special education services, students referred by teachers, and third-grade students not reading at grade level.

• Authorizes school nurses, volunteers, and trained school personnel to conduct vision screenings; screenings do not satisfy requirements for medical professional eye examinations and parents may opt out in writing.

• Requires school districts and charter schools to notify parents within 45 days if a student fails screening and to submit annual data to the department in a format compliant with privacy laws.

• Grants the Department of Health Services authority to develop training, provide screening materials, compile de-identified data for research, and adopt rules to implement the vision screening program, with consultation from the Department of Education.