Pennsylvania HB 1077: An Act amending the act of March 10, 1949 (P.L.30, No.14), known as the Public School Code of 1949, in school health services, establishing the Commission on Children's Vision and providing for duties of Commission on Children's Vision.

Bill Text

PRIOR PRINTER'S NO. 1195 PRINTER'S NO. 3089
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
HOUSE BILL
No. 1077
Session of
2025
INTRODUCED BY CEPEDA-FREYTIZ, HOHENSTEIN, HILL-EVANS, PIELLI,
RABB, SANCHEZ, CERRATO, PARKER, PROBST, GIRAL, CURRY, KHAN,
D. WILLIAMS, MALAGARI, O'MARA AND BRIGGS, APRIL 1, 2025
AS REPORTED FROM COMMITTEE ON HEALTH, HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,
AS AMENDED, MARCH 25, 2026
AN ACT
Amending the act of March 10, 1949 (P.L.30, No.14), entitled "An
act relating to the public school system, including certain
provisions applicable as well to private and parochial
schools; amending, revising, consolidating and changing the
laws relating thereto," in school health services,
establishing the Commission on Children's Vision and
providing for duties of Commission on Children's Vision.
The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
hereby enacts as follows:
Section 1. The act of March 10, 1949 (P.L.30, No.14), known
as the Public School Code of 1949, is amended by adding a
section to read:
Section 1403.2. Commission on Children's Vision.--(a) The
Commission on Children's Vision is established . as a
departmental administrative commission under the concurrent
authority of the Department of Education and the Department of
Health with all the powers and duties generally vested in and
imposed upon the commissions under the act of April 9, 1929
(P.L.177, No.175), known as "The Administrative Code of 1929."
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(b) The commission shall be administratively housed within
the Department of Education and the Department of Health . and
shall be staffed and supported by the Department of Education
and the Department of Health as provided under this section.
(c) In order for the commission to fulfill its duties and
exercise its authority under this section:
(1) An agreement shall be executed between the Department of
Education, the Department of Health and the commission, which
shall define and delineate the role and responsibility of each
agency in assisting the commission in fulfilling its duties
under this section.
(2) The Department of Education, the Department of Health
and the commission shall cooperate in the use of staff, land,
building, quarters, facilities and equipment.
(d) (C) The commission shall consist of the following
members:
(1) The Secretary of Education, or a designee.
(2) The Secretary of Health, or a designee.
(3) No less than twelve vision care professionals that work
for local nonprofit organizations that provide eyeglasses to
children in this Commonwealth, who shall be jointly appointed by
the Secretary of Education and Secretary of Health.
(e) To the extent practicable, from members initially
appointed under subsection (d)(3), an equal number shall draw
lots to serve for a term of three years, for a term of two years
and for a term of one year. Thereafter, all members under
subsection (d)(3) shall be appointed for a term of three years.
Each member under subsection (d)(3) shall continue to serve
until a successor is appointed.
(f) The ch airperson of the commission shall rotate on an
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annual basis between the Secretary of Education or the Secretary
of Health, with the Secretary of Education chairing the first
annual rotation.
(g) The commission shall keep a record of its official
actions and may perform acts and implement policies, procedures
and guidelines as may be necessary.
(3) THE CHIEF OF THE DIVISION OF THE SCHOOL HEALTH PROGRAM
WITHIN THE BUREAU OF COMMUNITY HEALTH SYSTEMS OF THE DEPARTMENT
OF HEALTH, OR A DESIGNEE.
(4) NO LESS THAN THREE SCHOOL NURSES, REPRESENTING URBAN,
RURAL AND SUBURBAN SCHOOL DISTRICTS, WHO SHALL BE JOINTLY
APPOINTED BY THE SECRETARY OF EDUCATION AND THE SECRETARY OF
HEALTH.
(5) NO FEWER THAN SIX VISION CARE PROFESSIONALS
REPRESENTING DIVERSE SPECIALTIES, INCLUDING PEDIATRIC PROVIDERS,
WHO SHALL BE JOINTLY APPOINTED BY THE SECRETARY OF EDUCATION AND
SECRETARY OF HEALTH.
(6) REPRESENTATIVES FROM COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS THAT
CONNECT CHILDREN TO EYEGLASSES.
(D) THE COMMISSION SHALL ELECT A MEMBER TO SERVE AS
CHAIRPERSON OF THE COMMISSION.
(h) (E) The commission shall hold its first meeting within
thirty (30) days of the effective date of this subsection.
(i) (F) The commission shall hold meetings at the call of
the chairperson.
(j) (G) The members of the commission may not receive
compensation or reimbursement for their service.
(k) The General Assembly shall provide administrative
support, meeting space and other assistance required by the
commission to carry out its duties under this section in
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cooperation with the Department of Education and Department of
Health. The Department of Education and the Department of Health
shall provide the commission with data, research and