Ind. Code ch. 12-12-9

in effect

Ind. Code § 12-12-9-1 Reporting of blind or visually impaired persons by physicians or optometrists

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 the secretary, not more than ten (10) days after diagnosis, to the office of the secretary, the name, age, and address of each person diagnosed by the physician or optometrist as being blind (as defined under 42 U.S.C. 416(i)) or having visual impairment of a degree to interfere with the person's functioning in school, employment, or other activities of daily living. As added by P.L.104-2003, SEC.1.

Ind. Code § 12-12-9-2 Report distribution

Sec. 2. The office of the secretary shall, on the first business day of each month, send a copy of a report filed under section 1 of this chapter to the following persons: (1) For persons less than seventeen (17) years of age, to the following: (A) The Indiana School for the Blind and Visually Impaired. (B) The division of disability, aging, and rehabilitative services. (C) The division of special education of the department of education. (2) For persons at least seventeen (17) years of age, to the following: (A) The division of disability, aging, and rehabilitative services. (B) On request, organizations serving the blind or visually impaired and the Indiana 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; P.L.56-2023, SEC.97; P.L.122-2026, SEC.54.

Ind. Code § 12-12-9-3 Report confidentiality

Sec. 3. All reports filed under this chapter shall be kept confidential and used solely to determine the eligibility of the individuals for assistance or rehabilitation. As added by P.L.104-2003, SEC.1.

Ind. Code § 12-12-9-4 Information provided to individuals designated in reports

Sec. 4. (a) On receiving a report under this chapter, the division of disability, aging, and rehabilitative services shall provide information to the 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 visually impaired individual or the individual's family; and (2) shall notify the division of disability, aging, and rehabilitative services and the department of education of the school's findings. As added by P.L.104-2003, SEC.1. Amended by P.L.218-2005, SEC.6; P.L.141-2006, SEC.54; P.L.122-2026, SEC.55.

Ind. Code § 12-12-9-5 Referrals

Sec. 5. This chapter does not prohibit a physician or an optometrist from making a referral to a local school corporation, an agency, the Indiana School for the Blind and Visually Impaired, or an agency or organization working with the blind or visually impaired. As added by P.L.104-2003, SEC.1. Amended by P.L.218-2005, SEC.7.

Ind. Code § 12-12-9-6 Educational materials

Sec. 6. The office of the secretary shall prepare and provide educational 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 and services available for an individual who is blind or visually impaired. As added by P.L.104-2003, SEC.1.

Ind. Code § 12-12-9-7 Failure to make a report of blindness

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

Source: Open US Law by Vaquill AI (CC BY 4.0)URL: https://iga.in.gov/laws/2026/ic/titles/12Fetched: 10/17/2026