SESSION OF 2022
SUPPLEMENTAL NOTE ON SENATE BILL NO. 62
As Further Amended by House Committee on
Education

Brief*
SB 62, as amended, would amend state standards for
free school-administered vision screenings to add new
definitions and amend others; modify the frequency of the
vision screenings to specify the grade levels and specific
circumstances under which the screenings would occur;
provide for vision screenings for students in accredited
nonpublic schools; require screenings be performed by a
vision screener who would follow the most recent state vision
screening guidelines; and require vision screening results and
any necessary referral for an examination by an
ophthalmologist or optometrist be reported to the parents or
guardians of the student. The bill would also establish an
eight-member Kansas Children’s Vision Health and School
Readiness Commission (Commission) to ensure
implementation of the provisions of the bill; provide for the
appointment of the members, who would serve without
reimbursement for meeting expenses; and establish the
duties of the Commission.
The bill would also make technical adjustments.

Definitions
The bill would define the following new terms:


____________________
*Supplemental notes are prepared by the Legislative Research
Department and do not express legislative intent. The supplemental
note and fiscal note for this bill may be accessed on the Internet at
http://www.kslegislature.org
 ● “Accredited nonpublic school” would mean all
nonpublic elementary and secondary schools
accredited by the State Board of Education;
● “Board of education” would mean the board of
education of any school district;
● “IDEA part B” would mean all statewide programs
providing special education and related services to
children with disabilities aged three through five in
accordance with 20 U.S.C. § 1411, and
amendments thereto;
● “School district” would mean any school district
organized under the laws of this state; and
● “Vision screener” would mean any school nurse, or
the nurse’s designee, or other person who is
trained to administer a vision screening test to
students in the State of Kansas.
The bill would also amend the definition of “basic vision
screening” to mean an age-appropriate eye testing program
for each child that is implemented according to the most
recent edition of the Kansas vision screening requirements
and guidelines and includes referrals for eye examinations
and necessary follow-ups.

Frequency of Vision Screenings
The bill would provide children with free basic vision
screenings as follows:
● Annually for children with disabilities aged three
through five years who are participating in IDEA
part B programs;
● At least once each school year for students
enrolled in kindergarten and each of the grades

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 one through three, five, seven, and ten in a school
district or an accredited nonpublic school; and
● Within the first year of admission for any student
enrolled in a school district or an accredited
nonpublic school.
Entity Responsible for Providing Vision Screenings
The bill would require the board of education of the
school district in which a student is enrolled to provide basic
vision screening to every student enrolled in such school
district. The bill would require basic vision screening be
provided to every student enrolled in an accredited nonpublic
school by either the accredited nonpublic school in which the
student is enrolled or, upon request by the student’s parent or
guardian, by the board of education of the school district in
which the student resides.

Performance and Reporting of Vision Screenings
The bill would require basic vision screening be
performed by a vision screener designated by the board of
education or by an accredited nonpublic school. The bill
would require vision screeners follow the most recent state
vision screening guidelines. The bill would require the results
of the screening and any necessary referral for an
examination by an ophthalmologist or optometrist be reported
to the parents or guardians of the student and require any
such referral to show no preference in favor of any
ophthalmologist or optometrist.


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Kansas Children’s Vision Health and School Readiness
Commission
Commission Membership and Reimbursement
The bill would require an eight-member Commission be
established to ensure the implementation of the provisions of
the bill, with membership appointed by the State Board of
Education and composed of one member representing each
of the following: optometrists, ophthalmologists, a health
organization dedicated to preventing blindness, the Kansas
State Department of Education, the Kansas Department of
Health and Environment, school nurses, public health nurses,
and school administrators. The bill would require that the
Commission members serve without reimbursement for
meeting expenses.
Duties of the Commission
The bill would establish the following duties of the
Commission:
● Overseeing the revision of state vision screening
requirements and guidelines at least once every
seven years;
● Providing standardized vision screening referral
letters and eye professional examination reports as
referenced in the Kansas vision screening
requirements and guidelines;
● Identifying state resources that assist in providing
opportunities to offer free or low-cost eye exams for
students who fail vision screenings and are unable
to afford an examination on their own; and
● Establishing a system to collect data from school
health personnel concerning the results of the
original screenings and referral outcomes, and

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 issuing an annual report to the Secretary of Health
and Environment and the Commissioner of
Education.
Background
The bill was introduced by the Senate Committee on
Education at the request of Senator Baumgardner.
[Note: SB 62 contains provisions similar to provisions in
2020 HB 2346, as amended by the House Committee on
Children and Seniors, with some technical differences. The
House Committee on Education adopted, and then removed,
provisions related to emergency albuterol kits. SB 62, as
amended, is identical to 2021 SB 62, as introduced.]

Senate Committee on Education
In the Senate Committee hearing on February 4, 2021,
proponent testimony was provided by representatives of the
Kansas Association of School Boards, Kansas Vision
Coalition Task Force, and Olathe Public Schools (USD 233).
Written-only proponent testimony was provided by a
representative of the Kansas School Nurses Organization.
Proponents generally stated the bill would lead to better
vision health for students by standardizing the occurrence of
vision screenings statewide, providing for regular vision
screening guidelines updates, and ensuring parents and
guardians are aware of the need for referrals and resources.
Written-only neutral testimony was provided by the State
Board of Education.

House Committee on Education
In the House Committee hearing on March 10, 2021, a
representative of the Kansas Optometric Association, on
behalf of the Kansas Vision Coalition, and representatives of
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the Kansas Association of School Boards and the Kansas
School Nurses Organization provided proponent testimony.
Written-only proponent testimony was provided by
another representative of the Kansas School Nurses
Organization.
Written-only neutral testimony was provided by the State
Board of Education.
On March 25, 2021, the House Committee amended the
bill to add provisions regarding the administration of albuterol
in certain emergency situations by school districts and
accredited nonpublic schools. On February 15, 2022, the
House Committee amended the bill to remove such
provisions related to the administration of albuterol.

Fiscal Information
An updated fiscal note on SB 62, as amended, was not
immediately available.
Education; vision screenings; Kansas Children’s Vision Health and School
Readiness Commission


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Statutes affected:
As introduced: 72-6241, 72-6242
As Amended by House Committee: 65-1680, 65-2872b, 72-6241, 72-6242, 72-6283
As Further Amended by House Committee: 65-1680, 72-6483, 65-2872b, 72-6241, 72-6242, 72-6283
{As Amended by House Committee of the Whole}: 72-6241, 72-6242, 75-4355a, 75-4355b, 75-5391, 75-5393, 75-5397a