WeVote
Log In

Bill

Bill

HR 194

STUDENTS: Requests the Louisiana Department of Health and the state Department of Education to provide certain visual acuity screening data to researchers

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Tehmi Chassion and 1 co-sponsor

Louisiana HR 194 seeks de-identified, longitudinal visual acuity data from 2018 to present for independent researchers, with findings reported to inform policy.

Taken by the Clerk of the House and presented to the Secretary of State in accordance with the Rules of the House.
0
WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · HR 194

Summary of House Resolution HR 194 (Louisiana, 2026)

Overview

  • Bill: HR 194
  • Session/Jurisdiction: 2026 Regular Session, Louisiana
  • Sponsor: Representative Freeman (Co-sponsor: Aimee Freeman)
  • Title: STUDENTS: Requests the Louisiana Department of Health and the state Department of Education to provide certain visual acuity screening data to researchers
  • Status (as of document): Read by title; lies over under the rules

Purpose and Intent

  • The resolution urges (requests) the Louisiana Department of Health (LDH) and the Louisiana Department of Education (LDE) to provide de-identified visual acuity screening data collected annually in Louisiana schools from 2018 to the present to qualified independent researchers.
  • The primary goal is to enable longitudinal analyses of visual acuity trends among students and to inform policymakers, educators, health professionals, and parents about potential health and educational implications.

Key Provisions and Data Elements

  • Data to be provided (de-identified): Anonymized individual data suitable for research, while preserving privacy protections. Specifically, the resolution outlines that the following should be included, to the extent available and compliant with privacy laws:
    1. Year of screening
    2. Grade level or age range of students
    3. Visual acuity measurements or screening outcomes
    4. Aggregated demographic categories
    5. Any standardized screening protocols used
  • Recipients: Qualified independent researchers, including academic institutions and public interest research organizations.
  • Purpose of access: To conduct longitudinal analyses of student visual acuity trends in Louisiana.
  • Privacy protections: Data shared must be fully de-identified and provided in a manner consistent with:
    • Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA)
    • Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA)
    • Applicable state privacy protections
  • Cooperation: LDH and LDE are requested to facilitate access and identify any data limitations or gaps that could affect interpretation.
  • Reporting of findings: Any completed analyses or studies conducted under the resolution should have their findings summarized and reported to the Louisiana Legislature, including observed trends, limitations, and policy recommendations.

Scope and Timing

  • Data period: 2018 through the present (the document date is 2026; hence, data from 2018 onward).
  • Data fields: As above, with emphasis on longitudinal analysis capabilities.
  • No funding or budget language: The resolution does not specify funding for data handling, analysis, or reporting; it focuses on access and cooperation.

Who is Affected

  • State agencies: LDH (public health data) and LDE (school-based screenings and student health data).
  • Educational stakeholders: Students whose screening data may be included (de-identified to protect privacy), schools, teachers, administrators.
  • Researchers: Qualified independent researchers and research institutions or public-interest organizations that can perform longitudinal analyses of the data.

Procedural and Timeline Aspects

  • Process: The resolution urges the two state agencies to:
    • Provide de-identified data to qualified researchers
    • Ensure data use complies with privacy laws
    • Summarize and report findings back to the legislature
  • Timeline: The resolution does not establish a specific deadline for data provision or reporting; it directs cooperation and subsequent reporting of findings when analyses are completed.

Practical Implications and Potential Impact

  • Enables academic and policy research into trends in student visual health over time, potentially correlating with technology use, instructional practices, and educational outcomes.
  • Could inform interventions, screening protocols, or school health programs if consistent trends or gaps are identified.
  • Must balance research utility with privacy protections; de-identification and compliance with FERPA/HIPAA are central to implementation.
  • The ultimate impact depends on whether agencies can provide usable longitudinal data and whether researchers can access data under appropriate safeguards.

Bottom Line

HR 194 seeks to advance understanding of student vision health in Louisiana by obtaining de-identified, longitudinal visual acuity screening data from 2018 to the present for independent research, with findings reported back to the Legislature to inform policy and practice.

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

Sign in to ask a question.