2009 North Carolina Code
Chapter 143B - Executive Organization Act of 1973.
§ 143B-216.75. Governor's Commission on Early Childhood Vision Care.

Part 35. Governor's Commission on Early Childhood Vision Care.

§ 143B‑216.75.  Governor's Commission on Early Childhood Vision Care.

(a)        There is established the Governor's Commission on Early Childhood Vision Care ("Commission"). The Commission shall be located in the Department of Health and Human Services for administrative and budgetary purposes only.

(b)        The Commission shall consist of 10 members appointed as follows:

(1)        Four optometrists, two ophthalmologists, and one general pediatrician or a family physician who provides services to children, each of whom is licensed to practice in this State, and one school nurse who is certified by the Prevent Blindness North Carolina Board, appointed by the Governor. Among the optometrists and ophthalmologists appointed by the Governor, one shall be a currently serving member of the Prevent Blindness North Carolina Board;

(2)        One optometrist licensed to practice in this State appointed by the General Assembly upon the recommendation of the Speaker of the House of Representatives; and

(3)        One ophthalmologist licensed to practice in this State appointed by the General Assembly upon the recommendation of the President Pro Tempore of the Senate.

The initial members appointed by the General Assembly shall each serve a one‑year term. The initial members appointed by the Governor shall each serve a two‑year term. Subsequent appointments shall be for three‑year terms. Vacancies shall be filled by the original appointing authority.

(c)        The Commission shall adopt rules to implement and administer the Governor's Vision Care Program established under this section. The rules shall address:

(1)        Accepting and processing of applications by families for Program services.

(2)        Establishment and verification of applicant income eligibility.

(3)        Reimbursement to providers for services provided to eligible participants.

(4)        Informing providers and the general public about the Program.

(5)        Other duties necessary to implement the purposes and requirements of this section, including the development of a comprehensive eye examination transmittal form required under G.S. 130A‑440.1.

The Commission shall develop alternative ways for providing services to children who qualify for the Program when funding for Program services has been exhausted.

The Commission shall prepare written information for providers conducting vision screening. The written information shall state, in effect: "Vision screening is not a substitute for a comprehensive eye examination." The Commission shall provide copies of this information to providers so that the provider may give a copy to the parent, guardian, or person standing in loco parentis.

(d)        Commission members who are officials or employees of the State or local government agencies shall be paid per diem, subsistence, and travel expenses in accordance with G.S. 138‑6. All other Commission members shall be paid in accordance with G.S. 138‑5.

(e)        The Chair of the Commission shall be an ophthalmologist or optometrist appointed by the Governor to serve alternately from year to year. The Commission shall meet upon the call of the Chair. A majority of the Commission members shall constitute a quorum. The Department of Health and Human Services shall provide meeting space and staff to assist the Commission. (2005‑276, s. 10.59F(d); 2005‑345, s. 20(d); 2006‑240, s. 2(a).)