a) All children enrolling in kindergarten in a public, private, or parochial school and any student enrolling for the first time in a public, private, or parochial school shall have an eye examination. Each of these children shall present proof of having been examined by a physician who performs eye examinations or an optometrist within the previous year (within one year prior to the date of entering school), in accordance with Section 27-8.1(1.10) of the School Code and this Part before October 15 of the school year. (Section 27-8.1(1.10) of the School Code)

a) Vision screening services shall be provided annually for:

• 1) All preschool children 3 years of age (or older) in any public or private educational program or licensed child-care facility.
• 2) All school age children who are in kindergarten, second and eighth grades; in all special education classes; referred by teachers; and transfer students. Vision screening is recommended in grades 4, 6, 10 and 12. Such screening services shall be provided in all public, independent, private and parochial schools.

• (1.10) Except as otherwise provided in this Section, all children enrolling in kindergarten in a public, private, or parochial school on or after January 1, 2008 (the effective date of Public Act 95-671) and any student enrolling for the first time in a public, private, or parochial school on or after January 1, 2008 (the effective date of Public Act 95-671) shall have an eye examination. Each of these children shall present proof of having been examined by a physician licensed to practice medicine in all of its branches or a licensed optometrist within the previous year, in accordance with this Section and rules adopted under this Section, before October 15th of the school year. If the child fails to present proof by October 15th, the school may hold the child's report card until one of the following occurs: (i) the child presents proof of a completed eye examination or (ii) the child presents proof that an eye examination will take place within 60 days after October 15th. A school may not withhold a child's report card during a school year in which the Governor has declared a disaster due to a public health emergency pursuant to Section 7 of the Illinois Emergency Management Agency Act. The Department of Public Health shall establish, by rule, a waiver for children who show an undue burden or a lack of access to a physician licensed to practice medicine in all of its branches who provides eye examinations or to a licensed optometrist. Each public, private, and parochial school must give notice of this eye examination requirement to the parents and guardians of students in compliance with rules of the Department of Public Health. Nothing in this Section shall be construed to allow a school to exclude a child from attending because of a parent's or guardian's failure to obtain an eye examination for the child.

Sec. 3. Vision and hearing screening services shall be administered to all children as early as possible, but no later than their first year in any public or private education program, licensed day care center or residential facility for children with disabilities; and periodically thereafter, to identify those children with vision or hearing impairments or both so that such conditions can be managed or treated. (Source: P.A. 99-143, eff. 7-27-15.)

Document addresses vision screenings for all children enrolling in kindergarten in a public, private, or parochial school and any student enrolling for the first time in a public, private, or parochial school.

Site addresses vision screenings for school age children in kindergarten, second and eighth grades; are in special education class; have been referred by a teacher; or are transfer students.