What's happening
This bill allows New York public schools to use updated vision screening methods, including automated devices, for student eye exams.
Why it matters
Expanding approved vision screening methods may modernize school health protocols. , making it easier for schools to adopt newer, potentially more accurate or efficient technology for identifying vision problems in students.
Automated screening devices could help catch eye issues earlier or more consistently. , particularly in districts with limited access to trained personnel, which may reduce missed or misidentified cases of vision impairment.
Giving the commissioner regulatory authority to approve new testing methods creates flexibility. , allowing schools to keep pace with advances in vision screening technology without needing further legislative changes.
Parents, teachers, and schools may benefit from streamlined, reliable vision data. , possibly leading to quicker interventions and support for students whose learning could be impacted by undiagnosed vision issues.
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Who cares
Public school districts
The bill would specify that admission-related vision screenings use examination devices and testing methods authorized by the education commissioner’s regulations, including Snellen eye charts and automated devices.
State education commissioner
The bill would expressly tie the devices and methods used for these screenings to authorization in the commissioner’s regulations.
School vision screening staff
The bill would clarify the regulatory basis for using Snellen eye charts and automated devices to test students’ color perception, distance acuity and near vision.
Automated vision screening device manufacturers
The bill would explicitly name automated devices among the screening tools that the commissioner’s regulations may authorize.
Headline styles
Expand School Vision Screening
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
History
- Referred to education
- Referred to education
Full text
2 pagesUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
214
2025-2026 Regular Sessions
IN ASSEMBLY (Prefiled)
January 8, 2025
Introduced by M. of A. MAGNARELLI, STIRPE, SIMON, TAPIA, GONZALEZ-ROJAS, DE LOS SANTOS, BUTTENSCHON, CLARK, SANTABARBARA, GLICK, DAVILA, GIBBS, JACKSON -- read once and referred to the Committee on Education
AN ACT to amend the education law, in relation to vision screening examinations in public schools
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. Subdivision 4 of section 905 of the education law, as amended by chapter 477 of the laws of 2004, is amended to read as follows:
4. Vision screening examinations of students in the schools of this state made pursuant to subdivision one of this section, or made pursuant to the by-laws, regulations or practices of the board of education of the city school district of the city of New York, shall be subject to the provisions of this subdivision, and where inconsistent herewith, the provisions of this subdivision shall prevail. In addition to any vision screening examinations otherwise required by the provisions or practices cited in this subdivision, all students who enroll in a school of this state shall be tested for color perception, distance acuity and near vision within six months of admission to the school, or by such other date as may be prescribed in the regulations of the commissioner, using examination devices and testing methods as may be authorized in the regulations of the commissioner, including but not limited to, the Snellen Eye Test Chart and automated vision screening devices. The results of any such vision screening examinations, whether made pursuant to this subdivision or pursuant to the provisions or practices cited in this subdivision, shall be in writing and shall be made available to the student's parent or person in parental relation and to any teacher of the student within the school while the student is enrolled in the school, and shall be kept in a permanent file of the school for at least
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD00812-01-5
as long as the minimum retention period for such records, as prescribed by the commissioner pursuant to article fifty-seven-A of the arts and cultural affairs law.
§ 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
Reflowed for reading: line numbers and page breaks removed. Cite the official text.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.