Section 31-1-23. Blindness education, screening, and treatment program

   (a) (1) Subject to availability of funds voluntarily donated and transmitted to the department for such purposes pursuant to subsection (e) of Code Section 40-5-25, the department shall develop a blindness education, screening, and treatment program to provide blindness prevention education and to provide screening and treatment for residents who do not have adequate coverage for such services under a health benefit plan.

   (2) Funds voluntarily donated and transmitted to the department pursuant to subsection (e) of Code Section 40-5-25 shall be expended only for purposes of the program provided by this Code section.

(b) The program shall provide for:

   (1) Public education about blindness and other eye conditions;

   (2) Screenings and eye examinations to identify conditions that may cause blindness; and

   (3) Treatment procedures necessary to prevent blindness.

(c) The department may contract for program development with any department approved nonprofit organization dealing with regional and community blindness education, eye donor, and vision treatment services.

(d) The department by regulation shall prescribe eligibility requirements for the program.

Code 1981, § 31-1-23, enacted by Ga. L. 1999, p. 537, § 1.