PAO Advocating for You

Act 99 of 2020: Optometric Scope of Practice:

Through many months of discussion and deliberation, both the PAO and POA were able to come to an agreement, which took the form of an agreed-to amendment in both HB 2561 and SB 391. The compromise that both parties were able to reach not only maintained patient safety and standards of care but prioritized it.

Act 122 of 2020: Pediatric Vision Screenings:

Last session, the PAO partnered with Representative Rosemary Brown to introduce and advocate for pediatric vision screening legislation. The legislation required that all students receive a vision screening prior to enrolling in school for the first time and then yearly until the 5^th grade, from grades 6-12 students receive a vision screening every two years. Another important part of this legislation is that when a child fails a vision screening the parent or guardian, is informed the student failed the vision screening and that a comprehensive eye examination is now required to better diagnose the child. This legislation passed both chambers last session and was signed into law by Governor Wolf, becoming Act 122 of 2020.

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