N.Y. Pub. Health Law § 501

§ 501. State laboratories; approved laboratories; powers and duties of\ncommissioner. 1. The commissioner shall have authority:\n (a) to make, at the expense of the state, examinations and analyses,\nat the request of any health officer or of any physician in accordance\nwith the provisions of this article;\n (b) to enter into contracts with laboratories in localities accessible\nto the various portions of the state for the prompt examination of\nspecimens received from local health officers or physicians and for the\nimmediate report thereon, at the expense of the state; provided that all\nsuch laboratories shall conform to the standards of efficiency\nestablished by the public health council, and that no obligation shall\nbe incurred by the commissioner in excess of the sums available\ntherefor.\n