(a) The chief administrator must ensure that each individual admitted to the facility is screened according to these screening requirements, provided the individual's parent or guardian has given consent for screening.
- (1) Children ages four and older as of September 1 of the school year who are enrolled in any facility for the first time must have vision and hearing screens. The screens should occur within 120 calendar days of the first attendance day. If a child enrolls within 60 calendar days of the end of the school year, the child's vision and hearing must be screened the next school year and should occur within 120 calendar days of the first attendance day.
- (2) Children in pre-kindergarten and kindergarten must be screened each year. Screens should occur within 120 calendar days of the first attendance day.
- (3) Children in the first, third, fifth, and seventh grades must be screened for vision and hearing problems. Screens should occur within 120 calendar days of the first attendance day in each of those grades to allow for early intervention if a problem is found.
- (4) Children turning four years old after September 1 of the school year do not need to be screened until the next school year.
- (5) Children may be screened on an alternate schedule (i.e., pre-kindergarten, kindergarten, first, second, fourth, and sixth grades) if DSHS approves a written request. DSHS may set conditions so children receive necessary screenings during the transition.
- (b) The facility must verify the screener has a valid DSHS screening certificate before screening begins.
- (c) Volunteers must have a high school diploma or equivalent to help with vision and hearing screenings. The screener is responsible for deciding how a volunteer will assist with the screening process, consistent with all state and federal confidentiality requirements.
- (d) Facilities must follow DSHS rules, instructions, policies, and the vision and hearing screening manuals available on the DSHS website.
Source Note:The provisions of this §37.25 adopted to be effective August 17, 2014, 39 TexReg 6055; amended to be effective February 9, 2026, 51 TexReg 732.