Law Passed to Protect MD Public School Children

Optometrists and Ophthalmologists joined forces in support of the bill.

September 2008

The Maryland Optometric Association is happy to report there is a new state law designed to better protect the vision of Maryland public school children. After supportive testimony by the MOA and other groups, SB600/HB653 was signed into law and will take effect
October 1.

This new law changes the times at which public school children are required to receive a vision screening. Under the new law, all students must obtain screenings upon entry to school, first grade, and in either eighth or ninth grade. This moves the screening timeline up considerably. Clinical practice guidelines suggest that if children are screened earlier, vision problems can be caught and corrected before they become permanent, as with amblyopia. Early diagnosis and correction can also prevent learning problems caused by poor vision.

The new law also states that parents must report to the county school board or the county health department on the recommended services received by a student who failed the screenings.

As important as this piece of legislation is, something almost as important came out of the process. This was the first time in a long time that optometrists and ophthalmologists were at the table together in support of the same bill. It was an opportunity to reach across the isle and build consensus among eye care professionals. Hopefully, this will lead to a better relationship between the groups and provide more chances to improve vision care for all Maryland citizens. The legislators took notice of the fact that both groups were working together on this bill and commended us for that consensus.

If you have any questions about this piece of legislation please contact Megan Mason at meganmason@assnhqtrs.com. If you would like to read the full text of the bill it can be found online at http://mlis.state.md.us/2008rs/bills/sb/sb0600t.pdf.

720 Light Street, Baltimore, MD 21230 TEL: (410) 727-7800• FAX: (410) 752-8295 EMAIL: MOA@assnhqtrs.com