NY A01562

Establishes the Infant Vision Information, Education and Wellness Program to screen all newborns for vision abnormalities before hospital discharge, or within 30 days for births outside hospitals

Creates a 6-member Newborn Vision Screening Advisory Committee appointed by the commissioner, comprising experts in infant eye pathology, pediatric ophthalmology, and optometry, who serve without compensation

Requires the Department of Health to adopt the American Academy of Pediatrics protocol for detecting treatable causes of blindness in infants by 2 months of age by June 30, 2026

Mandates statewide implementation of vision screening by July 1, 2027, with a requirement for state-administered screening if participation falls below 85% of live births

Requires hospitals to report screening data to the department and submit annual legislative reports beginning January 1, 2027, detailing screening rates, pass/fail results, and follow-up referrals