37-3-87 - Student vision screening program.
§ 37-3-87. Student vision screening program.
(1) The State Department of Education is hereby authorized and empowered to establish a student vision screening program to make eye screening services available to students in Grades K-12 in the public schools in order to detect vision problems which can lead to academic problems. Such eye screening service shall be based on a process that is screening in nature, and not diagnostic, which is intended to identify with a reasonably high probability, students with a wide range of eye problems who should seek the services of an eye care professional for examination, diagnosis and corrective recommendation. Such eye screening service shall provide each student screened with a report of the student's screening results to be taken home. Each school shall be provided with a list of the students screened, and their results. Statistical summaries of the screening results shall be provided to each school, and composite statistics by school system, county or district shall be provided to the State Department of Education. The State Department of Education may contract with any legal entity to administer the student vision screening program on the school district level, and such contract shall be let on a competitive basis. State funding for said program shall only be available subject to appropriation by the Legislature.
(2) The school board of any local school district shall cooperate with the State Department of Education and any entity under contract with the department to implement the student vision screening program established under this section.
(3) Before September 1, 1996, an advisory committee for the student vision screening program comprised of six (6) eye care professionals shall be appointed. The Governor, Lieutenant Governor and Speaker of the House of Representatives each shall appoint one (1) member from a list of nominees submitted by the Mississippi Optometric Association and one (1) member from a list of nominees submitted by the Mississippi Eye, Ear, Nose and Throat Association, so that the advisory committee consists of three (3) representatives from each organization. The members of the committee shall serve for a term of four (4) years, to run concurrent with the term of the Governor after the expiration of the initial term.
In order to protect the health, safety and welfare of students as related to eye care, the advisory committee shall review the procedures, methodology and nature of the vision screening services offered under any contract entered into by the State Department of Education for the administration of the student vision screening program. Any advisory opinions adopted by the committee on the vision screening process may be submitted to the State Board of Education and the State Board of Health for consideration or any appropriate action.
The advisory committee shall determine the times and locations of its meetings. Members of the advisory committee shall serve without compensation.
Sources: Laws, 1996, ch. 440, § 1, eff from and after July 1, 1996.