HOUSE BILL ANALYSIS

                 SB 6463

Title:  An act relating to health screening in schools.

Brief Description:  Providing for early vision and hearing screening.

Sponsors:  Senators McAuliffe, Kohl‑Welles, Fairley, Goings, Eide, Patterson, Kline and Rasmussen.

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION

Meeting Date:  February 23, 2000

Bill Analysis Prepared by:  Susan Morrissey (786-7111).

Background:  Current law requires school districts to provide vision and hearing screening to all students in their schools.   The purpose of the assessments are to discover whether the students have problems that will inhibit  their ability to learn.   The State Board of Health has adopted rules implementing the screening requirements.  The Board requires school districts to screen children in grades kindergarten, one, two, three, five, and seven for vision and hearing acuity. The Board also requires the districts to annually screen children at other grade levels if manpower resources are available for that purpose.  Finally, the Board requires schools to promptly screen all children referred by parents, guardians, or school staff as having a possible hearing or vision loss.  The results of the assessments, any referrals, and the results of the referrals are recorded in the child's school records.

Summary:  School boards may offer visual and/or hearing screening to pre-school age children living in the school district.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Available. 

Effective Date: Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.