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Bill

HB 1242

Primary and Secondary Students - Vision and Hearing Studies and Evaluations

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Terri Hill and 4 co-sponsors

Maryland schools must conduct mandatory vision and hearing screenings for all students to identify health issues early and improve academic and developmental outcomes.

Hearing 3/05 at 1:15 p.m.
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Bill Summary · HB 1242

Legislative bill overview

HB 1242 requires Maryland public schools to conduct vision and hearing screenings or evaluations for primary and secondary students as part of their health services. The bill establishes standards for when these assessments must occur and ensures students with identified vision or hearing issues receive appropriate follow-up care and referrals to specialists.

Why is this important

Undetected vision and hearing problems are leading causes of academic difficulty and can significantly impact student learning, social development, and safety. Early identification through school-based screening catches issues before they compound educational disadvantages, particularly for low-income students who may lack access to preventive eye and ear care outside school settings.

Potential points of contention

  • Cost and funding: Schools must implement screening programs without clarity on whether the state provides dedicated funding or schools absorb costs from existing budgets
  • Implementation burden: Adding mandatory health screenings increases administrative workload on already-stretched school nurses and health staff
  • Parental notification and consent: The bill's framework for obtaining parental permission and communicating results may create procedural complexity for schools
  • Equity in follow-up care: Identifying vision/hearing problems means little if families cannot afford corrective devices or specialist treatment, potentially creating frustration without solutions

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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