SR677.html

Creating the Senate Study Committee on Rules and Regulations for Eye Screenings and Examinations of Students Entering the State Funded Pre-Kindergarten and Kindergarten Programs and First Grade in the Public Schools; and for other purposes.

WHEREAS, identification and treatment of physical health problems and physical challenges is essential to promoting academic achievement; and

WHEREAS, proper and accurate screening of physical health problems and physical challenges is essential to proper identification of any such problems and challenges; and

WHEREAS, the General Assembly has studied, debated, and enacted a number of bills in recent years in our efforts to ensure that all students in the State of Georgia commence their academic career healthy and ready to learn.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE that there is created the Senate Study Committee on Rules and Regulations for Eye Screenings and Examinations of Students Entering the State Funded Pre-Kindergarten and Kindergarten Programs and First Grade in the Public Schools. The committee shall specifically address the propriety, impact, costs, and benefits of requiring eye screenings and examinations for such students to be performed by ophthalmologists or optometrists. The committee shall be composed of three members of the Senate to be appointed by the President of the Senate, who shall designate one of the committee members as chairperson. The chairperson shall call all meetings of the committee.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the committee shall undertake a study of the conditions,
needs, issues, and problems mentioned above or related thereto and recommend any actions or legislation which the committee deems necessary or appropriate. The committee may conduct such meetings at such places and at such times as it may deem necessary or convenient to enable it to exercise fully and effectively its powers, perform its duties, and accomplish the objectives and purposes of this resolution. The members of the committee shall receive the allowances authorized for legislative members of interim legislative committees but shall receive the same for not more than three days unless additional days are authorized. The funds necessary to carry out the provisions of this resolution shall come from the funds appropriated to the Senate. In the event the committee makes a report of its findings and recommendations, with suggestions for proposed legislation, if any, such report shall be made on or before December 1, 2002. The committee shall stand abolished on December 1, 2002.