MS SB2685

Establishes the "Mississippi Vision for Better Learning Program" requiring the State Board of Education to recommend comprehensive eye examinations by an optometrist or ophthalmologist for first-grade students whose eye screening indicates a need, to be completed by January 1 of the child's first-grade year.

Allows parents or guardians to opt out of the comprehensive eye examination by providing a signed request to their child's school principal or director.

Authorizes the State Department of Education to establish a student vision screening program for grades K-12 to detect vision problems that may lead to academic difficulties, with screening results provided to individual schools and composite statistics to the state department.

Requires local school boards to cooperate with the State Department of Education and any contracted entities to implement the vision screening and comprehensive eye examination programs.

Takes effect July 1, 2019.