ASSEMBLY EDUCATION COMMITTEE

STATEMENT TO

[First Reprint]

SENATE, No. 2804

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

DATED:  FEBRUARY 14, 2019

      The Assembly Education Committee reports favorably Senate Bill No. 2804 (1R).

     This bill directs the State Board of Education to require each child age 6 and under who is entering a public preschool, public school, or a Head Start Program for the first time to have a comprehensive eye examination completed by an optometrist or ophthalmologist by January 1 of the child’s initial year of enrollment in the school or program.  The Department of Health will maintain a list of resources from which a parent or guardian may obtain a free or reduced price comprehensive eye examination.  The list will be posted on the Department of Health’s website and will be provided to each public preschool, public school, and Head Start Program. 

      A principal, director, or other person in charge of a public preschool, public school, or Head Start Program must collect from the child’s parent or guardian evidence of the child’s comprehensive eye examination, as provided by regulation of the State board.  A comprehensive eye examination that was performed no more than one year prior to a child’s initial enrollment in a public preschool, public school, or Head Start Program will satisfy the requirements under the bill.

      As reported by the committee, this bill is identical to Assembly Bill No. 4310 (1R) which was amended and also reported by the committee on this same date.