IC 12-12-9
    Chapter 9. Reporting of Blind or Visually Impaired Persons

IC 12-12-9-1
Reporting of blind or visually impaired persons by physicians oroptometrists
    Sec. 1. Each:
        (1) physician holding an unlimited license to practice medicine;or
        (2) optometrist licensed under IC 25-24-1;
shall report in writing, on forms prescribed by the office of thesecretary, not more than ten (10) days after diagnosis, to the officeof the secretary, the name, age, and address of each person diagnosedby the physician or optometrist as being blind (as defined under 42U.S.C. 416(i)) or having visual impairment of a degree to interferewith the person's functioning in school, employment, or otheractivities of daily living.
As added by P.L.104-2003, SEC.1.

IC 12-12-9-2
Report distribution
    Sec. 2. The office of the secretary shall, on the first business dayof each month, send a copy of a report filed under section 1 of thischapter to the following persons:
        (1) For persons less than seventeen (17) years of age, to thefollowing:
            (A) The Indiana School for the Blind and Visually Impaired.
            (B) The division of disability and rehabilitative services.
            (C) The division of special education of the department ofeducation.
        (2) For persons at least seventeen (17) years of age, to thefollowing:
            (A) The division of disability and rehabilitative services.
            (B) On request, organizations serving the blind or visuallyimpaired and the state department of health.
As added by P.L.104-2003, SEC.1. Amended by P.L.218-2005,SEC.5; P.L.141-2006, SEC.53.

IC 12-12-9-3
Report confidentiality
    Sec. 3. All reports filed under this chapter shall be keptconfidential and used solely to determine the eligibility of theindividuals for assistance or rehabilitation.
As added by P.L.104-2003, SEC.1.

IC 12-12-9-4
Information provided to individuals designated in reports
    Sec. 4. (a) On receiving a report under this chapter, the divisionof disability and rehabilitative services shall provide information tothe visually impaired individual designated in the report concerning

available state and local services.
    (b) For a visually impaired individual less than seventeen (17)years of age, the Indiana School for the Blind and Visually Impaired:
        (1) has the primary duty of initially contacting the visuallyimpaired individual or the individual's family; and
        (2) shall notify the division of disability and rehabilitativeservices and the department of education of the school'sfindings.
As added by P.L.104-2003, SEC.1. Amended by P.L.218-2005,SEC.6; P.L.141-2006, SEC.54.

IC 12-12-9-5
Referrals
    Sec. 5. This chapter does not prohibit a physician or anoptometrist from making a referral to a local school corporation, anagency, the Indiana School for the Blind and Visually Impaired, oran agency or organization working with the blind or visuallyimpaired.
As added by P.L.104-2003, SEC.1. Amended by P.L.218-2005,SEC.7.

IC 12-12-9-6
Educational materials
    Sec. 6. The office of the secretary shall prepare and provideeducational materials for:
        (1) licensed optometrists;
        (2) licensed physicians;
        (3) the Indiana University School of Medicine; and
        (4) the Indiana University School of Optometry;
to inform individuals and schools of the reporting requirements andservices available for an individual who is blind or visually impaired.
As added by P.L.104-2003, SEC.1.

IC 12-12-9-7
Failure to make a report of blindness
    Sec. 7. A person required to make a report of blindness under thischapter who fails to do so commits a Class C infraction.
As added by P.L.104-2003, SEC.1.