Bill signed into law to provide students free vision screenings, creates new standards for sign language interpreters - WIBW

TOPEKA, Kan. (WIBW) - Governor Kelly signed a bill into law that provides students with free vision screenings and creates new standards for sign language interpreters.

Kansas Governor Laura Kelly says on Monday, April 11, she signed Senate Bill 62, a bipartisan bill that amends standards for free school-administered vision screenings. The bill would also establish the Kansas Children’s Vision Health and School Readiness Commission.

“Early detection of vision issues in children helps educators assess and address the needs of students promptly,” Gov. Kelly said. “It is critical we address these issues early on -- especially if a student has shown signs of reading difficulty, to ensure our kids continue to learn to their fullest potential and find success in the classroom.”

In addition to updated standards, Kelly said SB 62 creates the Kansas Children’s Vision Health and School Readiness Commission - an eight-member commission appointed by the State Board of Education to oversee the state’s vision screening requirements. She said it will also help Kansas families find free or low-cost eye exams if a student fails an initial vision screening and cannot afford the services on their own.

Kelly noted that the bill also ensures sign language interpreters are held to a standard just as other licensed professionals so Kansans who are deaf or hard of hearing receive quality service from interpreters.

“The passage of SB 62 is a significant milestone for Kansas Commission for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing in its 40-year history,” Robert Cooper, Executive Director of the Kansas Commission for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing, said. “SB62 aims at improving communication access and services for deaf and hard of hearing Kansans, building on the work and advocacy we have provided the community since KCDHH was first established by the Legislature in 1982.”

To read the bill’s full text, click HERE.

Copyright 2022 WIBW. All rights reserved.

source: https://www.wibw.com/2022/04/11/bill-signed-into-law-provide-students-free-vision-screenings-creates-new-standards-sign-language-interpreters/

Your content is great. However, if any of the content contained herein violates any rights of yours, including those of copyright, please contact us immediately by e-mail at media[@]kissrpr.com.