MO HB677

Beginning July 1, 2008, every child enrolling in kindergarten or first grade in Missouri public schools must receive one comprehensive vision examination by a licensed optometrist or physician.

Evidence of the examination must be submitted to the school no later than January 1 of the student's first year at the school, in compliance with HIPAA privacy requirements.

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

The State Board of Education and Department of Health and Senior Services shall establish rules for documentation, which must identify examination results, costs, examiner qualifications, and payment methods (insurance, Medicaid, complimentary, or other).

Parents or legal guardians may request written exemption from the vision examination requirement for their child.