CHAPTER 9. REPORTING OF BLIND OR VISUALLY IMPAIRED PERSONS
IC 12-12-9
Chapter 9. Reporting of Blind or Visually Impaired Persons
IC 12-12-9-1
Reporting of blind or visually impaired persons by physicians or
optometrists
Sec. 1. Each:
(1) physician holding an unlimited license to practice medicine;
or
(2) optometrist licensed under IC 25-24-1;
shall report in writing, on forms prescribed by the office of the
secretary, not more than ten (10) days after diagnosis, to the office
of the secretary, the name, age, and address of each person diagnosed
by the physician or optometrist as being blind (as defined under 42
U.S.C. 416(i)) or having visual impairment of a degree to interfere
with the person's functioning in school, employment, or other
activities of daily living.
As added by P.L.104-2003, SEC.1.
IC 12-12-9-2
Report distribution
Sec. 2. The office of the secretary shall, on the first business day
of each month, send a copy of a report filed under section 1 of this
chapter to the following persons:
(1) For persons less than seventeen (17) years of age, to the
following:
(A) The Indiana School for the Blind and Visually Impaired.
(B) The division of disability and rehabilitative services.
(C) The division of special education of the department of
education.
(2) For persons at least seventeen (17) years of age, to the
following:
(A) The division of disability and rehabilitative services.
(B) On request, organizations serving the blind or visually
impaired and the state department of health.
As added by P.L.104-2003, SEC.1. Amended by P.L.218-2005,
SEC.5; P.L.141-2006, SEC.53.
IC 12-12-9-3
Report confidentiality
Sec. 3. All reports filed under this chapter shall be kept
confidential and used solely to determine the eligibility of the
individuals for assistance or rehabilitation.
As added by P.L.104-2003, SEC.1.
IC 12-12-9-4
Information provided to individuals designated in reports
Sec. 4. (a) On receiving a report under this chapter, the division
of disability and rehabilitative services shall provide information to
the visually impaired individual designated in the report concerning
available state and local services.
(b) For a visually impaired individual less than seventeen (17)
years of age, the Indiana School for the Blind and Visually Impaired:
(1) has the primary duty of initially contacting the visually
impaired individual or the individual's family; and
(2) shall notify the division of disability and rehabilitative
services and the department of education of the school's
findings.
As added by P.L.104-2003, SEC.1. Amended by P.L.218-2005,
SEC.6; P.L.141-2006, SEC.54.
IC 12-12-9-5
Referrals
Sec. 5. This chapter does not prohibit a physician or an
optometrist from making a referral to a local school corporation, an
agency, the Indiana School for the Blind and Visually Impaired, or
an agency or organization working with the blind or visually
impaired.
As added by P.L.104-2003, SEC.1. Amended by P.L.218-2005,
SEC.7.
IC 12-12-9-6
Educational materials
Sec. 6. The office of the secretary shall prepare and provide
educational materials for:
(1) licensed optometrists;
(2) licensed physicians;
(3) the Indiana University School of Medicine; and
(4) the Indiana University School of Optometry;
to inform individuals and schools of the reporting requirements and
services available for an individual who is blind or visually impaired.
As added by P.L.104-2003, SEC.1.
IC 12-12-9-7
Failure to make a report of blindness
Sec. 7. A person required to make a report of blindness under this
chapter who fails to do so commits a Class C infraction.
As added by P.L.104-2003, SEC.1.