HB376: establishing a committee to study the feasibility of performing eye examinations or eye screenings on children prior to enrollment in a public elementary school, public preschool program, or Head Start program.

HB 376 - AS INTRODUCED

2003 SESSION

03-0192

04/09

HOUSE BILL 376

AN ACT establishing a committee to study the feasibility of performing eye examinations or eye screenings on children prior to enrollment in a public elementary school, public preschool program, or Head Start program.

SPONSORS: Rep. Leber, Merr 35; Rep. Liebl, Ches 27; Sen. Flanders, Dist 7

COMMITTEE: Health, Human Services and Elderly Affairs

ANALYSIS

This bill establishes a committee to study the feasibility of performing eye examinations or eye screenings on children prior to enrollment in a public elementary school, public preschool program, or Head Start program.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Explanation: Matter added to current law appears in bold italics.

Matter removed from current law appears [in brackets and struckthrough.]

Matter which is either (a) all new or (b) repealed and reenacted appears in regular type.

03-0192

04/09

STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE

In the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand Three

AN ACT establishing a committee to study the feasibility of performing eye examinations or eye screenings on children prior to enrollment in a public elementary school, public preschool program, or Head Start program.

Be it Enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court convened:

1 Committee Established. There is established a committee to study the feasibility of performing eye examinations or eye screenings on children prior to enrollment in a public elementary school, public preschool program, or Head Start program.

2 Membership and Compensation.

I. The members of the committee shall be as follows:

(a) Three members of the house of representatives, appointed by the speaker of the house.

(b) Three members of the senate, appointed by the president of the senate.

II. Members of the committee shall receive mileage at the legislative rate when attending to the duties of the committee.

3 Duties. The committee shall:

I. Investigate and determine the need for providing pre-enrollment eye examinations to children statewide.

II. Study the feasibility of providing eye examinations to children prior to enrollment in a public elementary school, public preschool program, or Head Start program.

III. Determine the best method to pay for such eye examinations, including ways to assist families who have no insurance coverage or otherwise are unable to afford the eye examination, and any sources of funding from federal or other non-state sources.

IV. Determine alternative methods of assuring children enter school with adequate eyesight for learning.

V. Seek input from various professional and special interest groups including opthamologists, optometrists, pediatric providers, school nurses, and other health associations.

4 Chairperson; Quorum. The members of the study committee shall elect a chairperson from among the members. The first meeting of the committee shall be called by the first-named house member. The first meeting of the committee shall be held within 45 days of the effective date of this section. Four members of the committee shall constitute a quorum.

5 Report. The committee shall report its findings and any recommendations for proposed legislation to the speaker of the house of representatives, the senate president, the house clerk, the senate clerk, the governor, and the state library on or before November 1, 2003.

6 Effective Date. This act shall take effect upon its passage.