Rhode Island General Laws
Chapter 16-21 - Health and Safety of Pupils
Section 16-21-14.1. - Vision screening.

§ 16-21-14.1. Vision screening.
(a) Upon entering kindergarten or within thirty (30) days of the start of the school year, the parent or guardian of each child shall present to school health personnel certification that the child, within the previous twelve (12) months has passed a vision screening conducted by a health care professional licensed by the department of health or has obtained a comprehensive eye examination performed by a licensed optometrist or ophthalmologist. For children who fail to pass the vision screening and for children diagnosed with neurodevelopmental delay, proof of a comprehensive eye examination performed by a licensed optometrist or ophthalmologist indicating any pertinent diagnosis, treatment, prognosis, recommendation and evidence of follow-up treatment, if necessary, shall be provided.
(b) Any person who conducts a comprehensive eye examination of a child in response to such child having failed a vision screening given in accordance with the provisions of this section shall forward a written report of the results of the examination to the school health personnel and a copy of said report to a parent or guardian of such child and the child’s primary health care provider. Said report shall include, but not be limited to, the following:
(1) Date of report;
(2) Name, address and date of birth of the child;
(3) Name of the child’s school;
(4) Type of examination;
(5) A summary of significant findings, including diagnoses, medication used, duration of action of medication, treatment, prognosis, whether or not a return visit is recommended and, if so, when;
(6) Recommended educational adjustments for the child, if any, which may include the following: preferential seating in the classroom, eyeglasses for full-time use in school, eyeglasses for part-time use in school, sight-saving eyeglasses or any other recommendations;
(7) Name, address and signature of the examiner.
(c) The department of health in consultation with the department of education shall promulgate regulations to carry out the purposes of this section, including the regular reporting to the departments of health and education on the results of examinations provided under subsection (b) above.
(d) The commissioner of elementary and secondary education shall provide a comprehensive report on the education of blind and visually impaired children to the general assembly prior to March 1, 2009. The report shall include, but not limited to, an overview of policies and programs; an analysis of the effect that vision exam reports have had on improving education for children; and the comprehensive statewide vision education and services program; and recommendations. The commissioner shall provide an update of said analysis and report to the general assembly prior to March 1, 2012 and every three (3) years thereafter.
History of Section.P.L. 2005, ch. 382, § 1; P.L. 2013, ch. 501, § 31.

Structure Rhode Island General Laws

Rhode Island General Laws

Title 16 - Education

Chapter 16-21 - Health and Safety of Pupils

Section 16-21-1. - Transportation of public and private school pupils.

Section 16-21-1.1. - Student registration for transportation.

Section 16-21-2. - Repealed.

Section 16-21-3. - Standards for school building.

Section 16-21-3.1. - Approval.

Section 16-21-4. - Fire, evacuation and lockdown drills required — Failure to comply.

Section 16-21-5. - Uniform fire code or drill tactics — Reports.

Section 16-21-5.1. - Carbon monoxide detectors required in school buildings.

Section 16-21-6. - Repealed.

Section 16-21-7. - School health.

Section 16-21-7.1. - Unhealthy food and beverage advertising prohibited in schools.

Section 16-21-8. - Certified nurse-teacher.

Section 16-21-9. - Health examinations and dental screenings — Reports — Records.

Section 16-21-10. - Scoliosis screening.

Section 16-21-11. - Repealed.

Section 16-21-12. - Dental treatment provided by town or city.

Section 16-21-13. - Repealed.

Section 16-21-14. - Hearing, speech, and vision screenings — Records — Statewide hearing screening program.

Section 16-21-14.1. - Vision screening.

Section 16-21-15. - Eye protective devices.

Section 16-21-16. - Students suspected of narcotic addiction.

Section 16-21-17. - School bus safety programs.

Section 16-21-18. - Students prohibited from bringing or possessing firearms on school premises.

Section 16-21-19. - Special rules for students with disabilities bringing firearms to school.

Section 16-21-20. - Alternative placement and prevention activities.

Section 16-21-21. - Student discipline codes.

Section 16-21-21.1. - Penalties for drug, alcohol or weapons offenses.

Section 16-21-22. - Allergic emergencies — Anaphylaxis — Use of epinephrine — Immunity for those administering.

Section 16-21-23. - School safety teams, school crisis response teams, and school safety assessments.

Section 16-21-23.1. - Model school safety plans and checklists — Development and dissemination.

Section 16-21-23.2. - Threat assessment teams and oversight committees.

Section 16-21-24. - Requirements of school safety plans, school emergency response plans, and school crisis response plans.

Section 16-21-25. - Review of school safety plans — Exemption from open meetings and public records requirements.

Section 16-21-26. - Repealed.

Section 16-21-27. - Alternative education programs.

Section 16-21-28. - Health and wellness subcommittee.

Section 16-21-28.1. - Legislative findings.

Section 16-21-28.2. - Requirements for glucagon administration in a school setting.

Section 16-21-28.3. - Performance standards.

Section 16-21-28.4. - Immunity for those using glucagon.

Section 16-21-28.5. - Training of school personnel.

Section 16-21-28.6. - Administration.

Section 16-21-29. - Repealed.

Section 16-21-30. - Dating violence policy.

Section 16-21-31. - Notice of peanut/tree nut allergies — Posting.

Section 16-21-32. - Peanut/tree nut allergies.

Section 16-21-33. - Safe schools act.

Section 16-21-33.1. - Automatic external defibrillators.

Section 16-21-34. - Statewide bullying policy implemented.

Section 16-21-35. - Opioid-related drug overdose — Use of opioid antagonists — Immunity for those administering.

Section 16-21-36. - Duty to report — Posting child abuse hotline telephone number.

Section 16-21-37. - Water bottle filling stations in new and renovated schools.

Section 16-21-38. - Availability of feminine hygiene products.

Section 16-21-39. - Sun safety.

Section 16-21-40. - Trauma-informed schools act.

Section 16-21-41. - Trauma-informed schools act commission.