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<section article="ged" article_name="Education" number="7-404" title_number="7" title_name="Public Schools" subtitle_number="4" subtitle_name="Health and Safety of Students">
  <level label="a">
    <level label="1">
      <text>Each county board or county health department shall provide hearing and vision screenings for all students in the public schools.</text>
    </level>
    <level label="2">
      <text>Each county health department shall provide and fund hearing and vision screenings for all students:</text>
      <level label="i">
        <text>In any private school that has received a certificate of approval under § 2–206 of this article; and</text>
      </level>
      <level label="ii">
        <text>In any nonpublic educational facility in this State approved as a special education facility by the Department.</text>
      </level>
    </level>
  </level>
  <level label="b">
    <level label="1">
      <text>Unless evidence is presented that a student has been tested by an optometrist or ophthalmologist within the past year, the screenings required under subsection (a) of this section shall be given in the year that a student enters a school system, enters the first grade, and enters the eighth or ninth grade.</text>
    </level>
    <level label="2">
      <text>Further screening shall be done in accordance with:</text>
      <level label="i">
        <text>The bylaws adopted by the State Board; or</text>
      </level>
      <level label="ii">
        <text>Policies adopted by a county board or a county health department.</text>
      </level>
    </level>
  </level>
  <level label="c">
    <level label="1">
      <text>The results of the hearing and vision screenings required by this section shall be:</text>
      <level label="i">
        <text>Made a part of the permanent record file of each student;</text>
      </level>
      <level label="ii">
        <text>Given to the parents or guardians of each student, with educational materials that include the following:</text>
        <level label="1">
          <text>A disclaimer that a vision screening is not a substitute for a comprehensive eye exam performed by an optometrist or ophthalmologist;</text>
        </level>
        <level label="2">
          <text>An overview of visual impairments and an explanation of the potential educational impact of untreated visual impairments; and</text>
        </level>
        <level label="3">
          <text>A list of at–risk groups that are encouraged to have a comprehensive eye examination by an optometrist or ophthalmologist; and</text>
        </level>
      </level>
      <level label="iii">
        <text>Reported to the county board or the county health department.</text>
      </level>
    </level>
    <level label="2">
      <text>Additional information shall be provided to the parents or guardians of a student who fails the vision screening that includes:</text>
      <level label="i">
        <text>Notice that the results of the screening indicate that the student may have a vision disorder;</text>
      </level>
      <level label="ii">
        <text>A recommendation to the parent or guardian that the student be tested by an optometrist or ophthalmologist;</text>
      </level>
      <level label="iii">
        <text>A description of the warning signs, symptoms, risk factors, and behavioral problems associated with vision disorders or eye conditions;</text>
      </level>
      <level label="iv">
        <text>A description of the difference between eye examinations and the vision screenings required under this section;</text>
      </level>
      <level label="v">
        <text>Information on how to enroll in the Maryland Medical Assistance Program; and</text>
      </level>
      <level label="vi">
        <text>Information on locally available free or low–cost nonprofit programs that provide eye examinations and eyeglasses for children, if any.</text>
      </level>
    </level>
  </level>
  <level label="d">
    <text>On a form provided by the county board or the county health department, a parent or guardian shall report to the county board or the county health department on the recommended services received by a student who failed the screenings.</text>
  </level>
  <level label="e">
    <level label="1">
      <text>The county board or the county health department shall report to the Maryland Department of Health:</text>
      <level label="i">
        <text>The results of the hearing and vision screenings; and</text>
      </level>
      <level label="ii">
        <text>To the extent practicable, the number of students receiving the recommended services.</text>
      </level>
    </level>
    <level label="2">
      <text>The Maryland Department of Health shall:</text>
      <level label="i">
        <text>Review the reports submitted under this subsection; and</text>
      </level>
      <level label="ii">
        <text>In counties where fewer than 50% of students who have failed the screenings are receiving the recommended services, coordinate with the county board or the county health department to implement measures to improve the number of students receiving the recommended services.</text>
      </level>
    </level>
  </level>
  <level label="f">
    <text>In cooperation with the Maryland Department of Health, the Department shall adopt standards, rules, and regulations to carry out the provisions of this section.</text>
  </level>
  <level label="g">
    <text>A student whose parent or guardian objects in writing to hearing and vision screening on the ground that it conflicts with the tenets and practice of a recognized church or religious denomination of which he is an adherent or member may not be required to take these screenings.</text>
  </level>
</section>
