Bill > A01562

This bill establishes the Infant Vision Information, Education and Wellness Act, which creates a comprehensive newborn and infant vision screening program in New York State. The bill requires the Department of Health to establish a six-member advisory committee of experts in pediatric eye care to develop screening protocols aimed at detecting treatable causes of blindness in infants by two months of age. By July 2027, all health care facilities must screen newborns for vision abnormalities during birth admissions and screen newborns born outside hospitals within 30 days of birth. Hospitals must provide parents with informational materials about vision screening, explaining its importance, potential abnormalities, and follow-up procedures. The program mandates reporting requirements, including tracking the number of screenings, results, and follow-up interventions. Parents can refuse screening, but refusals must be documented. The bill includes strict confidentiality provisions to protect patient information and ensures that only authorized personnel can access screening data. If screening rates fall below 85% of live births, the department must implement a state-administered screening program. The goal is to identify vision abnormalities early, provide timely assessments, and ensure appropriate intervention before a child reaches six months of age.

Health and Social Services

https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2025/A1562