SECTION 1:

The department of public health shall issue a report relating to vision screening for children entering kindergarten. For the purposes of this report, vision screening shall refer to the requirements in Section 57 of Chapter 71 of Massachusetts General Laws.

Such report shall include the following information: 

(1) The number of children entering kindergarten, or within 30 days of start of school year, whose parents presented to school health personnel documentation that within the past 12 months the child passed a vision screen;

(2) The number of children who received a comprehensive eye examination report from a licensed optometrist or ophthalmologist, including diagnosis and treatment plan, documenting examination results performed due to either a failed vision screening or diagnosis of neurodevelopmental delay.

The report shall include data from all public and private schools. The report shall not include the names of any individuals and shall be subject to privacy standards pursuant to Public Law 104-191 and the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996.

A copy of said report shall be filed with the senate and house clerks, the senate and house chairs of the joint committee on public health and published in a clearly visible location on the department of public health’s website not later than six months after the effective date of this act.