H.R. 3541: See the Board Act

This bill, known as the See the Board Act, proposes the creation of a grant program aimed at providing free eye care services to students attending public elementary and secondary schools. The main features of the bill are outlined below:

Establishment of a Grant Program

The bill mandates the Secretary of Health and Human Services to establish a grant program within 180 days after its enactment. This program will award grants to eligible organizations to help fund eye care services for students.

Eligible Entities

Only nonprofit organizations can qualify to receive these grants. This means for-profit entities would not be able to access the funds from this program.

Qualifying Eye Care Services Program

The eye care services must be provided free of charge to students and can include:

• Mobile eye clinics that bring screenings and exams directly to schools.
• Use of portable eye care equipment to perform vision screenings.
• Providing services from qualified health care providers, including ophthalmic technicians and optometrists or ophthalmologists for further examinations.
• Distribution of eyeglasses to students through an optical shop set up within these mobile clinics.

Educational Component

It is also encouraged that organizations receiving grants provide students and their parents with information on the importance of regular vision screenings and eye exams. This is considered essential to maintaining good eye health.

Funding Authorization

The bill authorizes necessary appropriations for each fiscal year from 2026 through 2031 to support the goals of this grant program. The exact amount of funding would be determined by the appropriations process but is intended to cover operational costs and equipment needs for these eye care services.

Purpose and Goals

The overarching aim of the bill is to improve access to eye care services for students, particularly for those from low-income backgrounds or school districts with limited resources. By making these services easily accessible, the bill aims to enhance the overall health and educational outcomes for students by addressing potential vision problems early on.

Timeline and Implementation

Once enacted, the Secretary of Health and Human Services would need to work swiftly to set up the framework for the grant distribution and guidance for eligible entities to apply for funding.

Relevant Companies

None found.