(a) The governing board of a school district shall, subject to Section 49451, provide for the testing of the sight and hearing of each pupil enrolled in the schools of the school district.

(b) The test shall be adequate in nature and shall be given only by any of the following:

(1) By duly qualified supervisors of health employed by the school district.

(2) By certificated employees, registered nurses, or licensed vocational nurses, under the supervision of a credentialed school nurse, of the school district, charter school, or the county superintendent of schools who possess the qualifications prescribed by the Commission on Teacher Credentialing.

(3) By contract with an agency duly authorized to perform those services by the county superintendent of schools of the county in which the school district is located, under guidelines established by the state board.

(4) By accredited schools or colleges of optometry, osteopathic medicine, or medicine.

(c) The records of the tests shall serve as evidence of the need of the pupils for the educational facilities provided physically handicapped individuals. The equipment necessary to conduct the tests may be purchased or rented by governing boards of school districts. The state, any agency, or political subdivision thereof may sell or rent such equipment owned by it to the governing board of a school district upon terms as may be mutually agreeable.

(d) As used in this section, the following definitions apply:

(1) “Credentialed school nurse” means only qualified persons who possess an appropriate credential issued pursuant to Section 44267.5.

(2) “Licensed vocational nurse” means a person licensed pursuant to the provisions of Chapter 6.5 (commencing with Section 2840) of Division 2 of the Business and Professions Code.

(Amended by Stats. 2023, Ch. 853, Sec. 2. (AB 1722) Effective January 1, 2024.)