Report Title:

Hearing and Vision Screening; Children; Teenagers

 

Description:

Appropriates funds for hearing and vision screening for newborns, children, and teenagers.

 


HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

H.B. NO.

1999

TWENTY-FOURTH LEGISLATURE, 2008

 

STATE OF HAWAII

 

 

 

 

 

A BILL FOR AN ACT

 

 

RELATING TO health.

 

 

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

 


     SECTION 1.  The legislature finds that recent neuroscience research demonstrates that a child's early years are the most crucial in the child's cognitive, emotional, social, and physical development.  The legislature affirms that there are tremendous opportunities for preventive work with children as well as the predictable, costly consequences of not doing so.

     The legislature further finds that early screening of hearing and vision related medical problems improve children's outcomes and has a critical influence on school success and family functioning.  As not all children have access to quality primary health care, it is in the State's interest to provide screening and assessment that will detect hearing and vision deficiencies to identify children who are in need of further evaluation, diagnosis, and treatment.  Early identification and treatment can prevent or at least alleviate many of the problems that result from impaired hearing or vision.

     The department of health currently provides various community health screening services.  The purpose of this Act is to expand these services to provide screening for hearing and vision related conditions throughout childhood and into the teenage years.

     SECTION 2.  There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $           or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2008-2009 for the implementation of a hearing and vision screening program for newborns, pre-kindergartners, and children in school grades three, five, eight and eleven.

     The sum appropriated shall be expended by the department of health for the purposes of this Act.

     SECTION 3.  This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2008.

 

INTRODUCED BY:

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