Int. No. 1744
By Council Members Brannan, Kallos, Reynoso, Maisel, Ayala, Ampry-Samuel, Grodenchik, Adams, Menchaca, Van Bramer, Koslowitz, Rosenthal, Treyger, Levine, Gjonaj, Rivera, Lander, Louis, Chin, Powers, Rose and Ulrich
A Local Law to amend the administrative code of the city of New York, in relation to providing vision testing and eyeglasses to low-income individuals
Be it enacted by the Council as follows:
Section 1. Title 17 of the administrative code of the city of New York is amended by adding a new section 17-199.10 to read as follows:
§ 17-199.10 Vision testing and eyeglasses. a. Definitions. For the purposes of this section, the following terms have the following meanings:
Income-eligible individual. The term “income-eligible individual” means a resident of the city of New York whose annual gross household income is not in excess of 250 percent of the federal poverty guidelines as updated periodically in the federal register by the United States department of health and human services pursuant to subsection (2) of section 9902 of title 42 of the United States code.
Vision testing. The term “vision testing” means an eye examination to determine vision correction and such other procedures as determined by the department.
b. Subject to appropriation, the department shall establish a program to provide to all income-eligible individuals:
1. Vision testing; and
2. Eyeglasses, including lenses and frames.
c. The department shall determine the frequency with which such vision testing and eyeglasses shall be provided to income-eligible individuals. Such vision testing and eyeglasses shall be provided in the manner determined appropriate by the department, including, without limitation, provision by third parties paid by a voucher issued by the department or otherwise reimbursed by the department. The department may establish a maximum cost for the vision testing and eyeglasses provided to each income-eligible individual pursuant to this section.
d. The department may enter into contracts or agreements with third parties to implement the provisions of this section.
e. The department shall promulgate such rules as may be necessary to carry out the purposes of this section.
§ 2. This local law takes effect 120 days after it becomes law, except that the commissioner of the department of health and mental hygiene shall take such measures as are necessary for the implementation of this local law, including the promulgation of rules, before such date.
NAB
LS #7870
9/26/18