MO SB990

Every child enrolling in kindergarten or first grade in Missouri public elementary schools must receive one comprehensive vision examination performed by a state licensed optometrist or physician, with evidence submitted to the school by January 1st of enrollment.

The State Board of Education and Department of Health and Senior Services shall establish rules for examination criteria, forms, costs, examiner qualifications, and payment methods including insurance, Medicaid, complimentary services, or other forms of payment.

The Department of Elementary and Secondary Education shall compile and maintain a list of free or reduced-cost vision examination and treatment sources, updated annually for school administrators, nurses, and parent organizations.

Comprehensive vision examinations must include complete case history, visual acuity testing (aided and unaided), external and internal examinations, and subjective refraction to best visual acuity.

The program is reauthorized and shall automatically sunset on June 30, 2020; examination findings must be reported to the Department of Health and Senior Services and retained by the examiner for seven years.