See the Board Act
- Bill Number
- H.R. 3541
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 1
- Policy Area
- Education
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2025-05-21: Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committee on Education and Workforce, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
- Last Updated
- 2025-07-21T19:44:15Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose
The "See the Board Act" (H.R. 3541) aims to improve access to free eye care services for students in public elementary and secondary schools by establishing a federal grant program. It focuses on using mobile or portable equipment to deliver screenings, exams, and glasses directly to students, addressing vision health needs in underserved school settings.
Key Provisions
- Grant Program Establishment: The Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) must create the program within 180 days of enactment, awarding grants to nonprofit organizations to fund free eye care services for public school students (as defined under the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965).
- Eligible Recipients and Uses: Grants go to nonprofits running "qualifying eye care services programs," which use mobile clinics or portable equipment for on-site services. Funds cover:
- Purchase of portable or mobile eye care equipment.
- Operational costs, including personal protective equipment, direct health care delivery, and other necessary expenses determined by HHS.
- Service Details: Programs provide free screenings (by qualified health care providers or ophthalmic technicians), follow-up exams (by optometrists or ophthalmologists), and glasses (via opticians and on-site dispensaries) at schools.
- Sense of Congress: Encourages grant recipients to inform students and parents about the importance of regular vision screenings and comprehensive eye exams as recommended by medical guidelines.
- Funding Authorization: Authorizes "such sums as may be necessary" for fiscal years 2026 through 2031, without specifying exact amounts.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
This bill introduces a new grant program under HHS authority, with no explicit amendments to prior laws. It builds on existing definitions from the Elementary and Secondary Education Act but creates a dedicated funding mechanism for mobile eye care in public schools, which was not previously mandated at the federal level.
Potential Impacts
- Government Agencies: HHS will administer the program, requiring new administrative processes for grant applications, awards, and oversight, potentially increasing workload and budget needs.
- Citizens: Public school students (especially in low-income or rural areas) gain better access to free vision care, which could improve academic performance, reduce absenteeism, and prevent long-term vision issues. Parents benefit from educational outreach on eye health.
- International Relations: No direct impacts, as the bill is focused on domestic education and health initiatives.
- Broader Effects: Could enhance overall student health equity by targeting schools, but implementation depends on annual appropriations and nonprofit participation.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Nonprofit Organizations: Primary recipients of grants, responsible for delivering services through mobile programs.
- Public School Students and Parents: Direct beneficiaries of free eye care and related education.
- Public Elementary and Secondary Schools: Facilitate on-site services, potentially integrating them into school health routines.
- Health Care Providers: Including optometrists, ophthalmologists, opticians, and technicians, who deliver the care.
- U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS): Oversees program establishment and funding distribution.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal: The bill relies on Congress's spending power under the U.S. Constitution (Article I, Section 8) to authorize grants, with standard delegation to HHS for implementation. It includes flexibility for the Secretary to define "necessary" expenses, which could lead to administrative rulemaking but raises no immediate legal challenges.
- Constitutional: No apparent conflicts; it promotes public welfare through education and health without infringing on state school authorities, as services are voluntary and school-based.
- Political: Introduced with bipartisan cosponsors (e.g., Republicans and Democrats), suggesting broad support for child health initiatives. The open-ended funding authorization may spark debates on budget priorities during appropriations, but it avoids controversial mandates on schools or families.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Cosponsors (6)
Rep. Simon, Lateefah [D-CA-12], Rep. Cohen, Steve [D-TN-9], Del. Norton, Eleanor Holmes [D-DC-At Large], Rep. Takano, Mark [D-CA-39], Rep. Lee, Summer L. [D-PA-12], Rep. Tokuda, Jill N. [D-HI-2]
Recent Actions
- 2025-05-21: Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committee on Education and Workforce, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
- 2025-05-21: Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committee on Education and Workforce, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
- 2025-05-21: Introduced in House
- 2025-05-21: Introduced in House
Bill Versions
- See the Board Act — issued 2025-05-21 — PDF (3 pages)