UPDATE: 6/20/2018 - H3224 accompanied a study order on 5/24/2018 - see H4528. S1219 accompanied a study order on 5/31/2018 - see S2535. Study orders seek to authorize the Committee to sit during recess and study this measure and similar ones and file a narrative report of its findings. Due to budgetary and staff constraints, though, study orders are seldom approved. The vast majority of bills sent to a study order do not progress any further in the legislative process. https://www.masslegalservices.org/content/legislative-process-massachusetts-0

UPDATE:4/27/2018 - The Senate concurred on S1219 and H3224 on 4/26/2018 

UPDATE: 4/25/2018 - Both S1219 and H3224 had the reporting date extended to Wednesday May 16, 2018, pending concurrence on 4/24/2018. 

UPDATE: 4/7/2018 - S1219 was reported favorably by The Public Health Committee on 4/2/2018 and H3224 on 3/9/2018. Both bills were referred to the committee on Health Care Financing

UPDATE: 12/18/2017 - H3224 and S1219 had hearings on 10/17/2017. 

UPDATE: 10/9/2017 - H3224 and S1219 are scheduled for a hearings in the Joint Committee on Public Health on 10/17/17 in Room A2.  The hearing is scheduled to run from 1:00 to 5:00.  https://malegislature.gov/Events/Hearings/Detail/2763 - agenda

UPDATE: 4/5/2017 - S1219 and H3224 have not had any activity since being introduced.  However, the MA legislative session does not adjourn until 12/31/2017 and bills carry over from odd to even years. 

S1219 was filed on 1/20/2017.  This bill is sponsored by Senator Lewis. 

H3224 was referred to the Joint Committee on Public Health on 1/23/2017 and is sponsored by Rep. Barber. 

These bills would expand the current MA vaccine registry/tracking system to include vision screening.  

New Section, in part:

Section 24O. (a) The department shall, subject to appropriation, establish and maintain a statewide children’s vision registry, and may establish this as an integrated module within the computerized immunization registry established in section 24M; 

(c) All licensed providers who perform vision screening shall report to the children’s vision registry such data related to vision screening as the department determines is necessary to ensure that children receive the vision screening as required by section 57 of chapter 71 of the General Laws;

https://malegislature.gov/Bills/190/Senate/SD1517 - text, status and history for S1219

https://malegislature.gov/Bills/190/House/HD3109 - text, status and history for H3224 

Consent is not required for this information to be put into the database, just like it is currently not required for vaccine records to be entered.  Parents can only object that the information not be shared, however it stays in the database.  This is referred to as an opt-out system.  NVIC Advocacy does not support opt-out systems.  

Additional information on MIIS:

Consent not required; parents can only request that information not be shared with providers using the system, the information stays in the system and will still be available for the provider who administered the vaccine and the Department of Public Health to see; populated by birth certificates and providers; applies to all ages; providers must report vaccines administered within 7 days. 

State Registry Web Page -  http://www.mass.gov/eohhs/gov/departments/dph/programs/id/immunization/miis/

State Law (111.24M) -  https://malegislature.gov/Laws/GeneralLaws/PartI/TitleXVI/Chapter111/Section24M

State Rule (105.222) - http://www.mass.gov/courts/docs/lawlib/104-105cmr/105cmr222.pdf

Opt-out/do not share form - http://www.mass.gov/eohhs/docs/dph/cdc/immunization/miis-objection-form.pdf