Int. No. 96-A

By Council Members Brannan, Hanif, Ung, Riley, Yeger, Stevens, Won, Restler, Bottcher, Sanchez, Velázquez, Barron, Brewer, Lee, Farías, Narcisse, Schulman, Hanks, Avilés, Rivera and Gennaro

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 17-199.21 to read as follows:

§ 17.199.21 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 aged 18 or older 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 any need for vision correction or for such other procedures as determined by the department.

b. Subject to appropriation, the department or another agency designated by the mayor that has appropriate subject matter expertise shall establish a program to make available to all income-eligible individuals:

1. Vision testing; and

2. If such vision testing indicates a need, eyeglasses, including lenses and frames.

c. The department or designated agency:

1. Shall determine the frequency with which such vision testing and eyeglasses are made available to income-eligible individuals, provided such vision testing and eyeglasses are made available to such individuals at least once every four years;

2. Shall determine the manner by which such testing and eyeglasses are made available, including, without limitation, provision by third parties paid by a voucher issued by the department or otherwise reimbursed by the department; and

3. May establish a maximum allowable expenditure for the vision testing and eyeglasses made available to each income-eligible individual pursuant to this section, provided that the determination of such maximum allowable expenditure shall be made in consideration of the costs of such vision testing or eyeglasses to individuals outside of the program established pursuant to this section.

d. The department or designated agency may enter into contracts or agreements with third parties to implement the provisions of this section.

§ 2. This local law takes effect 180 days after it becomes law.

Session 12

HKA/CP

LS #1563

5/17/23 7:35p

Session 11

NAB

LS #7870

Int. #1744-2019