Sec.14-36f-15. Students to meet minimum vision requirements

(a) No secondary school shall give any behind-the-wheel instruction to any person eighteen (18) years of age or older, until such person has passed a screening to determine that such person has vision meeting or exceeding the minimum vision standards, as established by the commissioner, for the issuance of a motor vehicle operator's license. The secondary school shall administer such vision test using a device or means approved by the commissioner that meets the standards contained in sections 14-45a-1 to 14-45a-4, inclusive, of the Regulations of Connecticut State Agencies. The following persons may administer this vision screening:

(1) Optometrist;

(2) Ophthalmologist, physician, physician's assistant or nurse practitioner;

(3) School nurse;

(4) Motor vehicle inspector, agent, or authorized employee at a department office; or

(5) A qualified secondary school teacher or commercial driving instructor. A record of the results of the vision screening, indicating whether the person passed or failed the screening, shall be maintained by the secondary school. All records relating to vision screening and health matters of students shall be maintained in confidence except as required by law.

(b) No student shall be given behind-the-wheel instruction if the qualified secondary school teacher has reliable evidence that the student does not meet the minimum health standards for operating a motor vehicle as provided in sections 14-45a-1 to 14-45a-17, inclusive, of the Regulations of Connecticut State Agencies. Any student not meeting such minimum health standards shall be referred to the department for evaluation prior to any behind-the-wheel instruction. Students having disabilities shall be reasonably accommodated with regard to training and equipment in accordance with law.

(Effective April 30, 1997; Amended March 8, 2012)