HR145: HR145 Education and Public Health, Departments of; collaborate to prioritize the expansion of vision and hearing screenings at various grade levels; urge

26 LC 49 2792S House Resolution 145 (RULES COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE) By: Representatives Erwin of the 32nd, Dubnik of the 29th, Cheokas of the 151st, Wade of the 9th, Barton of the 5th, and others A RESOLUTION Urging the Department of Education and the Department of Public Health to collaborate and1 to prioritize the expansion of vision and hearing screenings at various grade levels to identify2 students with undiagnosed and untreated vision or hearing problems that may impede their3 acquisition of literacy skills; and for other purposes.4 WHEREAS, a significant percentage of school age children, appro ximately one-third,5 experience vision problems, yet for many of them the lack of vision screening and necessary6 follow-up diagnostic evaluations are impairing their ability to acquire literacy skills; and7 WHEREAS, hearing screening is only required as a newborn before hospital discharge and8 at entry into a school system, and vision screening is only req uired at entry into a school9 system; and10 WHEREAS, 8 percent of children have hearing loss between six and 19 years of age; and11 WHEREAS, there is a well documented direct link between vision and hearing health and12 the acquisition of literacy skills; and13 H. R. 145 (SUB) - 1 - 26 LC 49 2792S WHEREAS, Code Section 20-2-771 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated authorizes14 and requires the Department of Education to collaborate with pu blic health authorities to15 address health related mandates for students; and16 WHEREAS, effective screening programs can identify vision and hearing impairments early,17 allowing timely interventions that support academic success and literacy development.18 NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES that:19 (1) The Department of Education and Department of Public Healt h are urged to20 collaborate in developing a comprehensive strategy and methods to expand vision and21 hearing screenings for students in pre-kindergarten, kindergarten, and first, third, fifth,22 and eighth grades, as well as for transfer students in all grade levels; and23 (2) Such comprehensive strategy and methods, once developed, shall be presented to the24 chairpersons of the House Committee on Education and the Senate Education and Youth25 Committee and the Georgia Council on Literacy to ensure alignment with state literacy26 goals.27 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Clerk of the House of Representatives is authorized28 and directed to make appropriate copies of this resolution avai lable for distribution to29 representatives of the Department of Education and the Department of Public Health.30 H. R. 145 (SUB) - 2 -