S 247 New York Senate · 2025 Regular Session

Provides for the licensing of vision impairment specialists

This bill establishes a licensing system for two specific professions: orientation and mobility specialists (who help visually impaired people navigate safely) and vision rehabilitation therapists (who provide training for daily living skills). It defines these roles, sets education and training requirements for licenses, and creates a state board with representation from both professionals and the visually impaired community. Only licensed individuals may use these titles or provide these services, and the law explicitly states these specialists cannot prescribe optical devices. The bill directly affects visually impaired residents (including those legally blind or partially sighted) who seek these services and the professionals working in this field.
Bill status passed 3 of 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Jan 2025
Committee Review
Jun 2026
Senate Passage
Jun 2026
Assembly Passage
Governor
Introduced Jan 8, 2025 Last action Jun 3, 2026
Floor votes · Senate Jun 4, 2025

How they voted

571
Passed · 5 other
Total votes 63
Jun 4, 2025
D Democratic41
36 Yea 5
87% Yea
R Republican22
21 Yea 1 Nay
95% Yea
Vote distribution
All Yea All Nay Mixed No data
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
14
Key actions
2
Committee
6
Jun 3, 2026
Committee
REFERRED TO HIGHER EDUCATION
lower
Jun 3, 2026
Upper · Passed
PASSED SENATE
upper
May 28, 2026
Committee
COMMITTEE DISCHARGED AND COMMITTED TO RULES
upper
Jan 7, 2026
Committee
REFERRED TO HIGHER EDUCATION
upper
Jun 4, 2025
Committee
REFERRED TO HIGHER EDUCATION
lower
Jun 4, 2025
Upper · Passed
PASSED SENATE
upper
May 29, 2025
Committee
COMMITTEE DISCHARGED AND COMMITTED TO RULES
upper
Jan 8, 2025
Committee
REFERRED TO HIGHER EDUCATION
upper
1 primary · 6 co-sponsors

Sponsors