Bill > S07235

This bill establishes the Infant Vision Information, Education and Wellness Act, which creates a comprehensive program to screen newborns and infants for vision abnormalities across New York State. The legislation requires the Department of Health to establish a six-member advisory committee of vision and pediatric experts 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 conduct vision screenings for newborns during birth admissions and for infants 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 bill mandates reporting requirements, including tracking the number of screenings performed, screening results, and follow-up interventions. Participation is voluntary, with parents able to refuse screening, but the program aims to screen at least 85% of live births. The legislation also includes strict confidentiality provisions to protect patient information and ensures that screening data can only be used for medical and statistical purposes. Healthcare providers who report screening results in good faith are protected from civil and criminal liability.

Health and Social Services

https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2025/S7235