Bill 203 — Second Session, 28Th Legislature, 63 Elizabeth Ii the Legislative Assembly of Alberta Bill 203 Childhood Vision Assessment Act Mrs. Jablonski (Legislature 28, Session 2)

L28 S2 11548

Alberta — Bills

2014 Bill 203 Second Session, 28th Legislature, 63 Elizabeth II THE LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF ALBERTA BILL 203 CHILDHOOD VISION ASSESSMENT ACT MRS. JABLONSKI First Reading . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Second Reading . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Committee of the Whole . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. Third Reading . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Royal Assent . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

1 Bill 203 Mrs. Jablonski BILL 203 2014 CHILDHOOD VISION ASSESSMENT ACT (Assented to , 2014)

Preamble

WHEREAS children are Alberta’s most important resource;

WHEREAS the Legislative Assembly is committed to ensuring that each child has the opportunity to learn in school to his or her full potential;

WHEREAS good vision is a vital component in the learning process; and

WHEREAS the assessment of a child’s vision is an important step towards ensuring their full participation in the education system; THEREFORE HER MAJESTY, by and with the advice and consent of the Legislative Assembly of Alberta, enacts as follows:

Definitions 1(1) In this Act, (a) “Minister” means the Minister determined under

section 16 of the Government Organization Act as the Minister responsible for this Act; (b) “ophthalmologist” means a physician who is designated as an ophthalmologist; (c) “optometrist” means a regulated member of the Alberta College of Optometrists;

2 (d) “visual assessment” means a complete eye examination as specified by the Minister and performed by an optometrist or ophthalmologist.

(2) Any other term or expression used in this Act that is not defined in this Act has the same meaning as may be assigned to it in the Education Act. Visual assessments 2(1) Every child entering grade 1 must undergo a visual assessment prior to the commencement of the school year.

(2) A parent or guardian must provide to the school which his or her child attends a form signed by an optometrist or ophthalmologist indicating that the child has received a visual assessment.

(3) A visual assessment performed for the purposes of this

section must not have occurred more than one year prior to the submission of the form under subsection (2).

(4) When a student is enrolling in a school after grade 1 and has not previously attended a school in Alberta, a parent or guardian must comply with subsection (2) as if the student was entering grade 1.

(5) Registration for a child entering grade 1 or to which subsection (4) applies, is not complete until the form required under subsection (2) is provided to the school which the child attends.

(6) No optometrist or ophthalmologist shall levy a charge for completion of any form required by this Act. Regulations 3(1) The Minister may make regulations (

a) establishing criteria, standards and policies concerning visual assessments and specifying the content of those assessments; (

b) prescribing any forms required under this Act; (

c) setting conditions and standards for visual assessment for children who transfer to a school in Alberta from another jurisdiction; (

d) concerning any additional matter or thing that is necessary in furtherance of this Act.

(2) Prior to making a regulation under subsection (1)(

a) concerning the content of visual assessments, the Minister must consult with the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Alberta and the Alberta College of Optometrists about the proposed regulation. Application 4 This Act applies to the 2015-16 school year and subsequent school years.

Record of Debate STAGE DATE MEMBER FROM TO TOTAL CUMULATIVE TOTAL Title: 2014 (28th, 2nd) Bill 203, Childhood Vision Assessment Act

Document details

Collection	Alberta — Bills
Citation	L28 S2 11548
Type	bill
Volume / chapter	L28 S2 11548
Language	en
Format	json
Source	PROVINCIAL
Identifier	c7d2ff9f19acff2b82a9165d20305fd4e5c15d6a

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