§ 22.1-273 of the Code of Virginia requires school based vision screenings for students in K, 3rd, 7th, and 10th grades. The Code was first introduced in 1950 and, with only some minor changes in 1980, has had no substantial updates.
HB1408 seeks to update protocols for school based vision screenings and provide school divisions with opportunities to improve vision standards and services for their students. Delegate Lee Ware is the Chief Patron of HB1408 and Delegate Roxann Robinson, OD is the Bill’s Chief Co-Patron.
Today the Bill was introduced in the House Education Committee and passed to Appropriations on a 20-0 vote. There is a budget amendment in conjunction to the Bill offering funds to school divisions across the Commonwealth to improve school based vision screenings by introducing comprehensive vision programming such as the Conexus VisioCheck program.