Many who need glasses are unable to get them, and this particularly hurts students. Specifically, students with vision problems can develop headaches or struggle to focus in class, and unaddressed vision problems can lead students to fail grades, behave disruptively, or even drop out of school. In fact, it is estimated that as many as 70% of juvenile offenders have unaddressed vision issues.
 
Therefore, I will be introducing legislation that is aimed at ensuring all children who need glasses in this Commonwealth can receive them. This legislation will establish a commission that works with vision care professionals from local nonprofits in Pennsylvania to develop a statewide plan to provide follow-up vision exams and glasses to our youth. In 2024, Ohio Governor Mike DeWine announced a similar statewide initiative to utilize existing organizations within the state to provide free eye exams and glasses to students and families.
 
The benefits that glasses provide in the classroom translate to students’ lives outside of the classroom. By ensuring that our students who need glasses have them, we help our children learn better and stay in school. In doing so, we can ensure that more children in Pennsylvania have what they need to succeed.
 
Please join me in providing our students with the best opportunity for success.