(410 ILCS 205/1)

(from Ch. 23, par. 2331)

Sec. 1.

This Act shall be known as and may be cited as the "Child Vision and Hearing Test Act".

(Source: P.A. 81‑174.)

(410 ILCS 205/2)

(from Ch. 23, par. 2332)

Sec. 2.

As used in this Act, unless the context otherwise requires, the following words and phrases mean:

"Department" is the Department of Public Health;

"Director" is the Director of the Department of Public Health;

"Vision and Hearing Screening Services" are the identification, testing, evaluation and initiation of follow‑up services as defined in the rules and regulations of the Department and the State Board of Education, as required by Section 4.

(Source: P.A. 81‑174.)

(410 ILCS 205/3)

(from Ch. 23, par. 2333)

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 handicapped children; 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. 81‑174.)

(410 ILCS 205/4)

(from Ch. 23, par. 2334)

Sec. 4.

In addition to the program of hearing screening services established by the Department under this Act, the Department shall establish a program of vision screening services by January 1, 1980. The Department and the State Board of Education shall jointly develop rules and regulations governing standards, procedures, techniques and criteria for conducting and administering vision and hearing screening services and shall set standards for the training and qualifications of personnel to provide such services.

(Source: P.A. 81‑174.)

(410 ILCS 205/5)

(from Ch. 23, par. 2335)

Sec. 5.

In administering the program of vision and hearing screening services, the Department shall not replace any qualified existing service, and shall:

(a) Provide consulting services, to local health departments, school districts, or other community agencies who establish or supplement programs for vision and hearing screening services.

(b) Delegate responsibility to other State agencies, local health departments, school districts, or other community agencies, to develop and maintain periodic vision and hearing screening services.

(c) Provide direct services through contractual arrangement for the development and maintenance of periodic vision and hearing screening services.

(d) Accept reports of vision and hearing evaluations from qualified medical or other professional specialists employed by parents or guardians for vision and hearing evaluations when such reports are submitted to the Department.

(Source: P.A. 81‑174.)

(410 ILCS 205/6)

(from Ch. 23, par. 2336)

Sec. 6.

No child shall be required to submit to any test required by this Act if a parent or a guardian of the child objects on constitutional grounds, and submits a written statement of such objection to the agency administering such vision and hearing screening services.

(Source: P.A. 81‑174.)

(410 ILCS 205/7)

(from Ch. 23, par. 2337)

Sec. 7.

The Director shall appoint a Children's Hearing Services Advisory Committee and a Children's Vision Services Advisory Committee. The membership of each committee shall not exceed 10 individuals. In making appointments to the Children's Hearing Services Advisory Committee, the Director shall appoint individuals with knowledge of or experience in the problems of hearing handicapped children and shall appoint at least 2 licensed physicians who specialize in the field of otolaryngology and are recommended by that organization representing the largest number of physicians licensed to practice medicine in all of its branches in the State of Illinois, and at least 2 audiologists. In making appointments to the Children's Vision Services Advisory Committee, the Director shall appoint 2 members (and one alternate) recommended by the Illinois Society for the Prevention of Blindness, 2 licensed physicians (and one alternate) who specialize in ophthalmology and are recommended by that organization representing the largest number of physicians licensed to practice medicine in all of its branches in the State of Illinois, and 2 licensed optometrists (and one alternate) recommended by that organization representing the largest number of licensed optometrists in the State of Illinois, as members of the Children's Vision Services Advisory Committee.

The Children's Hearing Services Advisory Committee shall advise the Department in the implementation and administration of the hearing services program and in the development of rules and regulations pertaining to that program. The Children's Vision Services Advisory Committee shall advise the Department in the development of rules and regulations pertaining to that program. Each committee shall select a chairman from its membership and shall meet at least once in each calendar year.

The members of the Advisory Committees shall receive no compensation for their services; however, the nongovernmental members shall be reimbursed for actual expenses incurred in the performance of their duties in accordance with the State of Illinois travel regulations.

(Source: P.A. 90‑655, eff. 7‑30‑98.)