The New York State Senate

                    S T A T E   O F   N E W   Y O R K
________________________________________________________________________

    S. 7749                                                 A. 10721

                      S E N A T E - A S S E M B L Y

                              June 17, 2012
                               ___________

IN  SENATE -- Introduced by Sens. McDONALD, ALESI, GOLDEN -- (at request
  of the Governor) -- read twice and ordered printed, and  when  printed
  to be committed to the Committee on Rules

IN  ASSEMBLY -- Introduced by COMMITTEE ON RULES -- (at request of M. of
  A. Ortiz, Silver, Weisenberg, Paulin,  Cymbrowitz,  Abinanti)  --  (at
  request of the Governor) -- read once and referred to the Committee on
  Mental Health

AN  ACT  to  amend  the  executive  law, the criminal procedure law, the
  correction law and the public health law, in relation to  establishing
  the justice center for the protection of people with special needs; to
  repeal  article  45  of  the mental hygiene law, relating to the state
  commission on quality of care and advocacy for persons with  disabili-
  ties;  and  establishing the justice center medical review board (Part
  A); to amend the social services law, in relation to the protection of
  vulnerable persons (Part B); to amend the county law  and  the  mental
  hygiene law, in relation to reports of abuse or neglect of individuals
  in certain facilities and programs and repealing certain provisions of
  the  mental  hygiene  law  relating  thereto;  and to amend the mental
  hygiene law, in relation to  reports  of  abuse  and  mistreatment  of
  vulnerable   persons   in   residential  care  and  repealing  certain
  provisions of such law relating thereto (Part C); to amend the  social
  services  law,  in relation to the definition of abused and maltreated
  child; in relation to mandatory reporting; in relation to  the  state-
  wide  central  register  of child abuse and maltreatment and access to
  such register; in relation to making  technical  corrections  relating
  thereto; and repealing section 412-a, and other provisions of such law
  relating  thereto (Part D); to amend the education law and the vehicle
  and traffic law, in relation to the protection of pupils  in  residen-
  tial  care from abuse, neglect and maltreatment (Part E); to amend the
  mental hygiene law, the executive law and the social services law,  in
  relation  to review of criminal history information concerning certain
  prospective providers, employees, and individuals credentialed by  the
  office  of  alcoholism and substance abuse services (Part F); to amend
  the penal law, in relation to certain  crimes  of  abuse,  neglect  or
  endangering  the  welfare of certain incompetent, physically disabled,
  or vulnerable persons (Part G); and to amend chapter 606 of  the  laws

 EXPLANATION--Matter in ITALICS (underscored) is new; matter in brackets

                      [ ] is old law to be omitted.
                                                           LBD12169-02-2

S. 7749                             2                           A. 10721

  of 2011, amending the mental hygiene law relating to creating an abuse
  prevention  notification  system,  in  relation  to  creating an abuse
  prevention notification system; and to repeal chapter 6 of the laws of
  2012,  amending  chapter  606 of the laws of 2011, amending the mental
  hygiene law relating to an abuse prevention notification system  (Part
  H)

  THE  PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, REPRESENTED IN SENATE AND ASSEM-
BLY, DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:

  Section 1. This act shall be known and may be cited as the "protection
of people with special needs act".
  S 2. This act enacts into law major components  of  legislation  which
are  necessary  for the protection of persons who are vulnerable because
of their reliance on professional caregivers to help them overcome phys-
ical,  cognitive  and  other  challenges.    Each  component  is  wholly
contained  within  a Part identified as Parts A through H. The effective
date for each particular provision contained within  each  Part  is  set
forth  in  the  last  section of such Part. Any provision in any section
contained within a Part, including the effective date of the Part, which
makes reference to a section "of this act", when used in connection with
that particular component, shall be deemed to  mean  and  refer  to  the
corresponding  section of the Part in which it is found. Section four of
this act sets forth the general effective date of this act.

                                 PART A

  Section 1. Legislative findings and purpose.  There  is  a  recognized
need  to  strengthen  and  standardize  the  safety  net  for vulnerable
persons, adults and children alike, who  are  receiving  care  from  New
York's human service agencies and programs. There are over 270,000 chil-
dren  and adults with disabilities or other life circumstances that make
them vulnerable in residential facilities  under  the  auspices  of  six
state agencies that operate, license or certify such programs.  In addi-
tion,  a  significant  number  of persons rely on day programs operated,
licensed or certified by the state.   Although  all  of  these  programs
share  a  common  obligation to protect such persons, and keep them safe
from abuse and neglect, there are fundamental  differences  in  how  the
state  agencies  meet  their obligations, as well as major gaps in over-
sight that may expose vulnerable persons to harm.
  This legislation creates a set of uniform  safeguards,  to  be  imple-
mented by a justice center whose primary focus will be on the protection
of  vulnerable persons.   To bolster the ability of the state to respond
more effectively to abuse and neglect  of  vulnerable  persons,  without
creating additional burdens on local law enforcement, the justice center
will  have  concurrent  authority  with  district attorneys to prosecute
abuse and neglect crimes committed against such persons.
  The justice center also will develop a register that will contain  the
names of individuals found responsible for egregious or repeated acts of
abuse or neglect.  Before being placed on the register, such individuals
will  have  a  right to challenge that finding, but once on the register
they will be barred from future employment in  the  care  of  vulnerable
persons.  Employees  found  responsible  for  less serious acts shall be
subjected to progressive  discipline,  including  retraining  and  other
actions necessary to facilitate their safe return to the workplace.

S. 7749                             3                           A. 10721

  To  ensure that individuals who work with vulnerable persons are aware
of their obligations to assist such persons  to  lead  safe,  vital  and
productive lives, the legislation requires the justice center to develop
a  code  of conduct for workers who have regular contact with vulnerable
persons.  This  code of conduct will serve as a guide to such workers by
containing the basic ethical standards to which all direct support work-
ers should subscribe and be held accountable.
  The justice center will also operate  a  statewide  hotline  to  which
certain mandated reporters will be required to report abuse, neglect and
significant  incidents  involving  vulnerable  persons  being  served in
certain residential and non-residential facilities and programs. It will
ensure that allegations  of  these  reportable  incidents  are  promptly
reported,  that  they are fully and effectively investigated, that those
individuals who are responsible are held accountable and that  providers
implement corrective action plans to prevent future incidents.
  Additionally,  this legislation requires designation of an independent
agency charged with fulfilling the federal protection and  advocacy  and
client  assistance  programs to provide federal oversight of the state's
system of care for individuals with disabilities. This agency will  also
conduct  independent advocacy including but not limited to assistance in
obtaining supports and services, legal assistance, and responding to the
inquiries and complaints of individuals and their families  relating  to
quality of care.
  Accordingly,  the  purpose  of this legislation is to create a durable
set of consistent  safeguards  for  all  vulnerable  persons  that  will
protect  them against abuse, neglect and other conduct that may jeopard-
ize their health, safety and welfare, and to provide fair  treatment  to
the employees upon whom they depend.
  S 2. Article 45 of the mental hygiene law is REPEALED.
  S 3. The  executive  law is amended by adding a new article 20 to read
as follows:
                               ARTICLE 20
                 PROTECTION OF PEOPLE WITH SPECIAL NEEDS
SECTION 550. DEFINITIONS.
        551. THE JUSTICE  CENTER  FOR  THE  PROTECTION  OF  PEOPLE  WITH
               SPECIAL NEEDS.
        552. ORGANIZATION OF THE JUSTICE CENTER.
        553. POWERS AND DUTIES OF THE JUSTICE CENTER.
        554. CODES OF CONDUCT.
        555. JUSTICE CENTER MEDICAL REVIEW BOARD; ORGANIZATION.
        556. FUNCTIONS, POWERS AND DUTIES OF THE BOARD.
        557. REPORTS TO THE JUSTICE CENTER.
        558. ACCESS TO RECORDS AND FACILITIES.
        559. NEW   YORK   STATE  INTERAGENCY  COORDINATING  COUNCIL  FOR
               SERVICES TO PERSONS WHO ARE DEAF, DEAF-BLIND, OR HARD  OF
               HEARING.
        560. ANNUAL REPORT.
        561. ADVISORY COUNCIL.
        562. ABUSE AND NEGLECT NOTIFICATION.
  S 550. DEFINITIONS. AS USED IN THIS ARTICLE, THE FOLLOWING TERMS SHALL
HAVE THE FOLLOWING MEANINGS:
  1.  "EXECUTIVE  DIRECTOR"  SHALL  MEAN  THE  EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE
JUSTICE CENTER FOR THE PROTECTION OF PEOPLE WITH SPECIAL NEEDS.
  2. "MENTAL HYGIENE FACILITY" SHALL  MEAN  A  FACILITY  AS  DEFINED  IN
SUBDIVISION SIX OF SECTION 1.03 OF THE MENTAL HYGIENE LAW AND FACILITIES
FOR THE OPERATION OF WHICH AN OPERATING CERTIFICATE IS REQUIRED PURSUANT

S. 7749                             4                           A. 10721

TO ARTICLE SIXTEEN OR THIRTY-ONE OF THE MENTAL HYGIENE LAW AND INCLUDING
FAMILY  CARE HOMES. "MENTAL HYGIENE FACILITY" ALSO MEANS A SECURE TREAT-
MENT FACILITY AS DEFINED BY ARTICLE TEN OF THE MENTAL HYGIENE LAW.
  3.  "REPORTABLE  INCIDENT"  SHALL  HAVE THE SAME MEANING AS DEFINED IN
SUBDIVISION ONE OF SECTION  FOUR  HUNDRED  EIGHTY-EIGHT  OF  THE  SOCIAL
SERVICES LAW.
  4. "STATE OVERSIGHT AGENCY" SHALL MEAN THE STATE AGENCY THAT OPERATES,
LICENSES  OR  CERTIFIES  AN  APPLICABLE  FACILITY  OR PROVIDER AGENCY AS
DEFINED IN SUBDIVISION FOUR OF SECTION FOUR HUNDRED EIGHTY-EIGHT OF  THE
SOCIAL  SERVICES LAW; PROVIDED HOWEVER THAT SUCH TERM SHALL ONLY INCLUDE
THE FOLLOWING ENTITIES: THE OFFICE OF  MENTAL  HEALTH,  THE  OFFICE  FOR
PEOPLE  WITH  DEVELOPMENTAL  DISABILITIES,  THE OFFICE OF ALCOHOLISM AND
SUBSTANCE ABUSE SERVICES, THE OFFICE OF CHILDREN  AND  FAMILY  SERVICES,
THE  DEPARTMENT  OF  HEALTH  AND  THE STATE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT. "STATE
OVERSIGHT AGENCY" DOES NOT INCLUDE AGENCIES THAT ARE CERTIFICATION AGEN-
CIES PURSUANT TO FEDERAL LAW OR REGULATION.  FOR PURPOSES OF THIS  ARTI-
CLE,  "STATE  OVERSIGHT AGENCY" SHALL INCLUDE THE JUSTICE CENTER FOR THE
PROTECTION OF PEOPLE WITH SPECIAL NEEDS.
  5. "VULNERABLE PERSON" SHALL MEAN A PERSON WHO,  DUE  TO  PHYSICAL  OR
COGNITIVE  DISABILITIES,  OR  THE  NEED  FOR  SERVICES  OR PLACEMENT, IS
RECEIVING SERVICES FROM A FACILITY OR  PROVIDER  AGENCY  AS  DEFINED  IN
SUBDIVISION  FOUR  OF  SECTION  FOUR  HUNDRED EIGHTY-EIGHT OF THE SOCIAL
SERVICES LAW.
  6. "INDIVIDUAL WITH A DISABILITY," EXCEPT AS USED IN  SUBDIVISION  (B)
OF SECTION FIVE HUNDRED FIFTY-EIGHT OF THIS ARTICLE, SHALL MEAN A PERSON
WITH  A  DISABILITY  AS DEFINED IN SUBDIVISION TWENTY-ONE OF SECTION TWO
HUNDRED NINETY-TWO OF THIS CHAPTER.
  S 551. THE JUSTICE CENTER FOR THE PROTECTION OF  PEOPLE  WITH  SPECIAL
NEEDS.    1.  THERE  IS HEREBY CREATED WITHIN THE EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT A
JUSTICE CENTER FOR THE PROTECTION OF PEOPLE WITH SPECIAL NEEDS ("JUSTICE
CENTER" OR "CENTER").  SUCH JUSTICE CENTER SHALL BE HEADED BY AN  EXECU-
TIVE  DIRECTOR,  WHO SHALL BE APPOINTED BY THE GOVERNOR, BY AND WITH THE
ADVICE AND CONSENT OF THE SENATE. THE  EXECUTIVE  DIRECTOR  MAY  APPOINT
STAFF  AND  PERFORM  SUCH OTHER FUNCTIONS FOR THE EFFICIENT OPERATION OF
THE JUSTICE CENTER WITHIN THE AMOUNTS MADE AVAILABLE THEREFOR BY  APPRO-
PRIATION.
  2.  THE  EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR SHALL RECOMMEND POLICIES AND PROCEDURES TO
THE STATE OVERSIGHT AGENCY FOR THE  PROTECTION  OF  VULNERABLE  PERSONS,
INCLUDING  BUT  NOT  LIMITED  TO  POLICIES  AND  PROCEDURES: (A) FOR THE
PROTECTION OF VULNERABLE PERSONS WHO RESIDE IN OR RECEIVE SERVICES  FROM
FACILITIES  OR  PROVIDER  AGENCIES  AS  SET FORTH IN SUBDIVISION FOUR OF
SECTION FOUR HUNDRED EIGHTY-EIGHT OF THE SOCIAL SERVICES LAW; (B) RELAT-
ING TO ASSURING, ON BEHALF OF THE STATE,  THAT  VULNERABLE  PERSONS  ARE
AFFORDED  CARE  THAT  IS  OF  A UNIFORMLY HIGH STANDARD; (C) RELATING TO
ASSURING, ON BEHALF OF THE STATE, THAT VULNERABLE PERSONS  ARE  AFFORDED
THE  OPPORTUNITY  TO  EXERCISE  ALL  OF  THE RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES
ACCORDED TO RESIDENTS OF THE STATE; AND (D) TO HARMONIZE AND IMPROVE THE
PROCEDURES FOR AND QUALITY OF  INVESTIGATIONS  OF  REPORTABLE  INCIDENTS
INVOLVING VULNERABLE PERSONS WITHIN THE DIFFERENT SYSTEMS OF CARE IN THE
STATE.
  3. THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR MAY, IN CONSULTATION WITH THE ADVISORY COUN-
CIL, PROMULGATE, ADOPT, AMEND OR RESCIND RULES AND REGULATIONS NECESSARY
TO  CARRY  OUT  THE  PROVISIONS OF THIS ARTICLE; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, THAT
SUCH RULES AND REGULATIONS SHALL BE STRICTLY LIMITED IN  THEIR  APPLICA-
TION  TO THE MEANS AND METHODS OF COMPLIANCE WITH THE PROVISIONS OF THIS
ARTICLE.

S. 7749                             5                           A. 10721

  S 552. ORGANIZATION OF THE JUSTICE CENTER. 1. THE JUSTICE CENTER SHALL
HOUSE THE VULNERABLE PERSONS' CENTRAL REGISTER CREATED IN  SECTION  FOUR
HUNDRED  NINETY-TWO  OF THE SOCIAL SERVICES LAW AND SHALL PERFORM ALL OF
THE NECESSARY FUNCTIONS RELATED TO THE RECEIPT AND ACCEPTANCE OF REPORTS
OF ALLEGATIONS OF REPORTABLE INCIDENTS INVOLVING VULNERABLE PERSONS, THE
INVESTIGATION  OF  SUCH ACCEPTED REPORTS AND THE REVIEW OF SUBSTANTIATED
FINDINGS OF ABUSE OR  NEGLECT,  AS  DEFINED  IN  SUBDIVISION  ELEVEN  OF
SECTION  FOUR HUNDRED EIGHTY-EIGHT OF THE SOCIAL SERVICES LAW, INCLUDING
CONDUCTING ANY DISCIPLINARY PROCEEDINGS FOR  STATE  EMPLOYEES  RESULTING
FROM SUCH SUBSTANTIATED FINDINGS (FOR STATE ENTITIES BOUND BY COLLECTIVE
BARGAINING,  THE  DISCIPLINARY  PROCESS  ESTABLISHED  THROUGH COLLECTIVE
BARGAINING SHALL GOVERN).  THE JUSTICE CENTER SHALL CONTAIN TWO SEPARATE
UNITS, HEADED BY TWO DISTINCT DEPUTIES, ONE RESPONSIBLE FOR  THE  PROSE-
CUTION  OF  CRIMINAL  MATTERS AND ONE FOR THE RESOLUTION OF NON-CRIMINAL
MATTERS. IF, DURING AN INVESTIGATION, WHAT APPEARED TO BE A NON-CRIMINAL
MATTER WARRANTS CONSIDERATION FOR CRIMINAL CHARGES, THE MATTER SHALL  BE
PROMPTLY  REFERRED  TO  THE  CRIMINAL UNIT. INFORMATION COLLECTED DURING
SUCH INVESTIGATIONS MAY ONLY BE SHARED BETWEEN SUCH UNITS IN  ACCORDANCE
WITH  STATE  AND  FEDERAL  CONSTITUTIONAL  PROTECTIONS  AND LAWS AND THE
SECRECY PROVISIONS CONTAINED IN ARTICLE ONE HUNDRED NINETY OF THE CRIMI-
NAL PROCEDURE LAW, UNLESS SO ORDERED BY A COURT IN A PENDING PROCEEDING.
  2. (A) THE JUSTICE CENTER ALSO SHALL EMPLOY A SPECIAL  PROSECUTOR  AND
INSPECTOR  GENERAL  FOR  THE  PROTECTION  OF  PEOPLE  WITH SPECIAL NEEDS
("SPECIAL PROSECUTOR"), WHO SHALL BE APPOINTED BY THE GOVERNOR.    OTHER
STATE AGENCIES SHALL BE REQUIRED TO MAKE FACILITIES AVAILABLE FOR OFFICE
SPACE  THROUGHOUT THE STATE AND TO ASSIST WHEN REQUESTED WITH RESPECT TO
THE DUTIES OF THE OFFICE.  PURSUANT TO THE PROVISIONS OF  THIS  SECTION,
SUCH  SPECIAL  PROSECUTOR SHALL HAVE THE DUTY AND POWER: (I) TO INVESTI-
GATE AND PROSECUTE OFFENSES INVOLVING ABUSE OR NEGLECT,  AS  DEFINED  IN
SUBDIVISION  ELEVEN  OF  SECTION FOUR HUNDRED EIGHTY-EIGHT OF THE SOCIAL
SERVICES LAW, COMMITTED AGAINST  VULNERABLE  PERSONS  BY  CUSTODIANS  AS
DEFINED  IN  SUBDIVISION TWO OF SECTION FOUR HUNDRED EIGHTY-EIGHT OF THE
SOCIAL SERVICES LAW; AND (II) TO  COOPERATE  WITH  AND  ASSIST  DISTRICT
ATTORNEYS  AND  OTHER  LOCAL  LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICIALS IN THEIR EFFORTS
AGAINST SUCH ABUSE OR NEGLECT OF VULNERABLE PERSONS. PROVIDED THAT NOTH-
ING HEREIN SHALL INTERFERE WITH THE ABILITY OF DISTRICT ATTORNEYS AT ANY
TIME TO RECEIVE COMPLAINTS,  INVESTIGATE  AND  PROSECUTE  ANY  SUSPECTED
ABUSE OR NEGLECT OR FOR ANY PERSONS, WHETHER A MANDATED REPORTER OR NOT,
TO  REPORT  A  COMPLAINT TO A DISTRICT ATTORNEY OR OTHER APPROPRIATE LAW
ENFORCEMENT OFFICIAL.   THE SPECIAL PROSECUTOR  MAY  REQUEST  AND  SHALL
RECEIVE, FROM ANY AGENCY, DEPARTMENT, DIVISION, BOARD, BUREAU OR COMMIS-
SION OF THE STATE, OR ANY POLITICAL SUBDIVISION THEREOF, COOPERATION AND
ASSISTANCE  IN  THE  PERFORMANCE  OF  HIS OR HER DUTIES, AND MAY PROVIDE
TECHNICAL AND OTHER ASSISTANCE TO ANY DISTRICT ATTORNEY OR LAW  ENFORCE-
MENT  OFFICIAL REQUESTING ASSISTANCE IN THE INVESTIGATION OR PROSECUTION
OF ABUSE OR NEGLECT OF VULNERABLE PERSONS.
  (B) THE SPECIAL PROSECUTOR IS EMPOWERED TO APPLY FOR  SEARCH  WARRANTS
PURSUANT  TO  ARTICLE  SIX HUNDRED NINETY OF THE CRIMINAL PROCEDURE LAW,
AND, EXCEPT IN EXIGENT CIRCUMSTANCES, SHALL GIVE  PRIOR  NOTICE  OF  THE
APPLICATION  TO  THE  DISTRICT  ATTORNEY  OF  THE COUNTY IN WHICH SUCH A
WARRANT IS TO BE EXECUTED, AND IN SUCH EXIGENT CIRCUMSTANCES SHALL  GIVE
SUCH NOTICE AS SOON THEREAFTER AS IS PRACTICABLE; PROVIDED, HOWEVER THAT
THE FAILURE TO GIVE NOTICE OF A SEARCH WARRANT APPLICATION TO A DISTRICT
ATTORNEY  SHALL  NOT  BE  A  GROUND  TO  SUPPRESS THE EVIDENCE SEIZED IN
EXECUTING THE WARRANT. HE OR SHE MAY DESIGNATE AN ASSISTANT TO  EXERCISE
ANY OF SUCH POWERS.

S. 7749                             6                           A. 10721

  (C)  THE SPECIAL PROSECUTOR OR ONE OF HIS OR HER ASSISTANTS MAY, AFTER
CONSULTATION WITH THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY AS TO THE TIME AND PLACE OF SUCH
ATTENDANCE OR APPEARANCE, ATTEND IN PERSON ANY TERM OF THE COUNTY  COURT
OR  SUPREME COURT HAVING APPROPRIATE JURISDICTION, INCLUDING AN EXTRAOR-
DINARY  SPECIAL OR TRIAL TERM OF THE SUPREME COURT WHEN ONE IS APPOINTED
PURSUANT TO SECTION ONE HUNDRED FORTY-NINE  OF  THE  JUDICIARY  LAW,  OR
APPEAR  BEFORE  THE  GRAND JURY THEREOF, FOR THE PURPOSE OF MANAGING AND
CONDUCTING IN SUCH COURT OR  BEFORE  SUCH  JURY  A  CRIMINAL  ACTION  OR
PROCEEDING  CONCERNED  WITH AN OFFENSE WHERE ANY CONDUCT CONSTITUTING OR
REQUISITE TO THE COMPLETION OF OR IN ANY OTHER MANNER  RELATED  TO  SUCH
OFFENSE INVOLVED THE ABUSE OR NEGLECT OF A VULNERABLE PERSON, AS DEFINED
IN SUBDIVISION ELEVEN OF SECTION FOUR HUNDRED EIGHTY-EIGHT OF THE SOCIAL
SERVICES  LAW.    IN  SUCH  CASE,  SUCH SPECIAL PROSECUTOR OR HIS OR HER
ASSISTANT SO ATTENDING MAY EXERCISE ALL THE POWERS AND PERFORM  ALL  THE
DUTIES  IN  RESPECT  OF  SUCH  ACTIONS OR PROCEEDINGS WHICH THE DISTRICT
ATTORNEY WOULD OTHERWISE  BE  AUTHORIZED  OR  REQUIRED  TO  EXERCISE  OR
PERFORM.
  S  553.  POWERS  AND DUTIES OF THE JUSTICE CENTER.  THE JUSTICE CENTER
SHALL HAVE THE FOLLOWING POWERS AND DUTIES:
  1. TO CREATE AND ESTABLISH THE STATEWIDE VULNERABLE  PERSONS'  CENTRAL
REGISTER,  AS SET FORTH IN SECTION FOUR HUNDRED NINETY-TWO OF THE SOCIAL
SERVICES LAW, WHICH SHALL INCLUDE, BUT NOT BE LIMITED TO:
  (A) ESTABLISHING PROCEDURES FOR THE TIMELY RESPONSE TO, AND  EFFECTIVE
INVESTIGATION  OF, ALLEGATIONS OF REPORTABLE INCIDENTS THAT ARE ACCEPTED
BY THE STATEWIDE VULNERABLE PERSONS' CENTRAL REGISTER;
  (B)  ESTABLISHING  PROCEDURES  FOR  THE  NOTIFICATION  OF  APPROPRIATE
PERSONS  AND ENTITIES WITH RESPECT TO REPORTS AND FINDINGS OF REPORTABLE
INCIDENTS;
  (C) REPRESENTING THE STATE IN ALL ADMINISTRATIVE  HEARINGS  AND  OTHER
ADMINISTRATIVE PROCEEDINGS RELATING TO DISCIPLINE OF STATE EMPLOYEES AND
ADJUDICATION  OF  INDIVIDUALS  CHARGED WITH HAVING COMMITTED OR FOUND TO
HAVE COMMITTED ABUSE OR NEGLECT, AS DEFINED  IN  SUBDIVISION  ELEVEN  OF
SECTION  FOUR HUNDRED EIGHTY-EIGHT OF THE SOCIAL SERVICES LAW (FOR STATE
ENTITIES BOUND BY COLLECTIVE BARGAINING, THE DISCIPLINARY PROCESS ESTAB-
LISHED THROUGH COLLECTIVE BARGAINING SHALL GOVERN);
  (D) IDENTIFYING A PROCESS FOR A COORDINATED APPROACH TO  AVOID  DUPLI-
CATION  AND  PROVIDE  FOR  TIMELY RESPONSES TO ALLEGATIONS OF REPORTABLE
INCIDENTS IN DUALLY LICENSED OR CO-LOCATED FACILITIES AND PROVIDER AGEN-
CIES, WHICH SHALL INCLUDE DESIGNATION OF A LEAD AGENCY PRIMARILY RESPON-
SIBLE FOR CARRYING OUT THE RESPONSIBILITIES OF A  FACILITY  OR  PROVIDER
AGENCY  PURSUANT TO ARTICLE ELEVEN OF THE SOCIAL SERVICES LAW, INCLUDING
BUT NOT LIMITED TO INCIDENT MANAGEMENT AND REPORTING, PROVIDED  THAT  IN
MAKING  ANY  SUCH  DESIGNATION  OR  RE-DESIGNATION  OF SUCH LEAD AGENCY,
CONSIDERATION SHALL BE GIVEN TO THE FOLLOWING FACTORS: THE PROPORTION OF
SERVICES PROVIDED OR RECIPIENTS SERVED IN THE DUALLY LICENSED OR  CO-LO-
CATED  FACILITIES  AND  PROVIDER  AGENCIES  PURSUANT  TO EACH LICENSE OR
CERTIFICATION GRANTED BY A STATE OVERSIGHT AGENCY,  THE  RECOMMENDATIONS
OF  THE  RESPECTIVE STATE OVERSIGHT AGENCIES THAT GRANTED SUCH LICENSURE
OR CERTIFICATION, AND THE DESIGNATION OR RE-DESIGNATION THAT WOULD  BEST
PROTECT  THE  HEALTH, SAFETY AND WELFARE OF VULNERABLE PERSONS SERVED BY
SUCH FACILITIES AND  PROVIDER  AGENCIES;  PROVIDED,  FURTHER  THAT  ONCE
DESIGNATED,  A  LEAD  AGENCY SHALL ONLY BE RE-DESIGNATED AS NECESSARY TO
PROTECT THE HEALTH, SAFETY AND WELFARE OF VULNERABLE PERSONS  SERVED  BY
SUCH FACILITIES AND PROVIDER AGENCIES;
  (E)  WHERE  APPLICABLE,  ESTABLISHING UNIFORM PROCEDURES FOR CHARACTER
AND COMPETENCE REVIEWS OF PROVIDER AGENCIES INITIALLY, AND UPON  RENEWAL

S. 7749                             7                           A. 10721

OF LICENSES AND OPERATING CERTIFICATES REQUIRING A REVIEW OF PERFORMANCE
RECORDS  REGARDING  INCIDENT MANAGEMENT, THE ROLE OF THE BOARD OF DIREC-
TORS IN MAINTAINING OVERSIGHT OVER AGENCY PERFORMANCE IN THIS AREA,  AND
THE  MANAGEMENT  OF REPORTABLE INCIDENTS AFFECTING THE SAFETY OF VULNER-
ABLE PERSONS, INCLUDING CASES OF SYSTEMIC PROBLEMS; AND
  (F) ESTABLISHING TRAINING CURRICULA FOR EMPLOYERS  AND  EMPLOYEES  WHO
PROVIDE  CARE  AND TREATMENT TO VULNERABLE PERSONS, AND THOSE WHO ARE IN
SUPERVISORY POSITIONS WITH RESPECT TO SUCH  EMPLOYEES,  REGARDING  THEIR
OBLIGATIONS  TO  REPORT,  INVESTIGATE  AND PREVENT REPORTABLE INCIDENTS.
TRAINING AND CURRICULA SHALL ADDRESS TOPICS, INCLUDING BUT  NOT  LIMITED
TO:  (I)  HOW  TO  IDENTIFY  AND  REPORT  REPORTABLE INCIDENTS; (II) THE
PREVENTION OF ABUSE AND NEGLECT; (III) THE  DUTY  TO  REPORT  REPORTABLE
INCIDENTS;  (IV)  HOW  TO ADHERE TO APPLICABLE CODES OF CONDUCT; (V) THE
DISCIPLINARY PROCESS AND EMPLOYEES' RIGHTS PURSUANT TO THIS ARTICLE; AND
(VI) HOW SUPERVISORY STAFF AND MANAGEMENT CAN  PROMOTE  COMPLIANCE  WITH
THIS  ARTICLE  BY NEW AND EXISTING EMPLOYEES. SUCH TRAINING, WHICH SHALL
BE GIVEN ON A PERIODIC BASIS, SHALL INCLUDE, BUT NOT BE LIMITED TO, LIVE
TRAINING AND SUPPLEMENTAL COURSES ACCESSIBLE VIA THE INTERNET. PRIOR  TO
IMPLEMENTATION  OF  THIS  ARTICLE,  THE  JUSTICE  CENTER  SHALL  PROVIDE
ADEQUATE INTERACTIVE TRAINING, WHICH SHALL INCLUDE LIVE TRAINING TO  THE
EXTENT  PRACTICABLE. EMPLOYEES MAY CALL THE HOTLINE ESTABLISHED PURSUANT
TO SUBDIVISION TWO OF SECTION FOUR  HUNDRED  NINETY-TWO  OF  THE  SOCIAL
SERVICES  LAW,  AND  UPON  INQUIRY,  BE  GIVEN  ADVICE AND ASSISTANCE IN
COMPLYING WITH THEIR OBLIGATIONS AND DUTIES PURSUANT TO THIS ARTICLE.
  2. TO MAINTAIN A CENTRAL REPOSITORY FOR DATA RELATING TO THE  INVESTI-
GATION OF ALL REPORTABLE INCIDENTS;
  3.    TO  ESTABLISH  PROCEDURES FOR REVIEW OF REPORTABLE INCIDENTS, TO
IDENTIFY PREVENTIVE AND CORRECTIVE ACTIONS AND TO DEVELOP AND  IMPLEMENT
SUCH ACTIONS AND PLANS OF IMPROVEMENT SUBJECT TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF ANY
FEDERAL OVERSIGHT ENTITY;
  4.  TO  DEVELOP STANDARDS AND TRAINING CURRICULA FOR INVESTIGATORS WHO
WILL BE ASSIGNED TO INVESTIGATE REPORTABLE INCIDENTS  INVOLVING  VULNER-
ABLE  PERSONS,  AND  TO PROVIDE PERIODIC TRAINING TO SUCH INVESTIGATORS.
SUCH STANDARDS, CURRICULA AND TRAINING SHALL ADDRESS  TOPICS  INCLUDING,
BUT NOT LIMITED TO: (A) HOW TO IDENTIFY AND INVESTIGATE REPORTABLE INCI-
DENTS; (B) THE DUTY TO REPORT REPORTABLE INCIDENTS; (C) THE REQUIREMENTS
OF  ALL CODES OF CONDUCT; (D) ALL APPLICABLE DISCIPLINARY PROCESSES; AND
(E) EMPLOYEES' RIGHTS PURSUANT TO THIS ARTICLE;
  5. TO REVIEW AND EVALUATE THE CRIMINAL  HISTORY  INFORMATION  FOR  ANY
PERSON  APPLYING  TO  BE AN EMPLOYEE, VOLUNTEER OR CONSULTANT FOR WHOM A
CRIMINAL BACKGROUND CHECK IS REQUIRED BY LAW AS A CONDITION  OF  EMPLOY-
MENT  AT  ANY  FACILITIES OR PROVIDER AGENCIES AS DEFINED IN SUBDIVISION
FOUR OF SECTION FOUR HUNDRED EIGHTY-EIGHT OF  THE  SOCIAL  SERVICES  LAW
THAT ARE OPERATED, LICENSED OR CERTIFIED BY THE OFFICE OF MENTAL HEALTH,
THE  OFFICE FOR PEOPLE WITH DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES AND THE OFFICE OF
CHILDREN AND FAMILY SERVICES.  SUCH REVIEW AND EVALUATION SHALL  INCLUDE
BUT  NOT  BE  LIMITED  TO  A REQUIREMENT THAT THE APPLICANT SIGN A SWORN
STATEMENT WHETHER, TO THE BEST OF HIS OR HER KNOWLEDGE, HE  OR  SHE  HAS
EVER BEEN CONVICTED OF A CRIME IN THIS STATE OR ANY OTHER JURISDICTION;
  6.   TO  CONDUCT  PERIODIC  ORIENTATION,  TRAINING  AND  INFORMATIONAL
PROGRAMS UPON APPOINTMENT OR REAPPOINTMENT, AND AS OTHERWISE NEEDED,  TO
ASSIST  THE  MEMBERS OF THE BOARDS OF VISITORS OF MENTAL HYGIENE FACILI-
TIES TO FULFILL THEIR RESPONSIBILITIES PURSUANT TO LAW;
  7. (A) TO VISIT, INSPECT AND APPRAISE THE MANAGEMENT OF FACILITIES  OR
PROVIDER AGENCIES AS DEFINED IN SUBDIVISION FOUR OF SECTION FOUR HUNDRED
EIGHTY-EIGHT OF THE SOCIAL SERVICES LAW PROVIDING SERVICES TO VULNERABLE

S. 7749                             8                           A. 10721

PERSONS  WITH  SPECIFIC ATTENTION TO THE SAFETY, SECURITY AND QUALITY OF
CARE PROVIDED TO PATIENTS AND RESIDENTS;
  (B)  TO  PROVIDE  STAFF AND OTHER NECESSARY ASSISTANCE UPON REQUEST TO
BOARDS OF  VISITORS  OF  DEPARTMENT  OF  MENTAL  HYGIENE  FACILITIES  IN
PERFORMING THEIR DUTIES PURSUANT TO LAW;
  (C) TO RECEIVE AND REVIEW PERIODIC AND ANNUAL REPORTS OF THE BOARDS OF
VISITORS OF EACH DEPARTMENT OF MENTAL HYGIENE FACILITY;
  (D)  TO  PLACE  SUCH  MEMBERS  OF ITS STAFF AS IT DEEMS APPROPRIATE AS
MONITORS IN ANY FACILITY OR PROVIDER AGENCY  AS DEFINED  IN  SUBDIVISION
FOUR  OF  SECTION  FOUR  HUNDRED EIGHTY-EIGHT OF THE SOCIAL SERVICES LAW
WHICH, IN THE JUDGMENT OF THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, PRESENTS  AN  IMMINENT
DANGER  TO  THE HEALTH OR SAFETY OF THE PATIENTS, RESIDENTS OR EMPLOYEES
OF SUCH FACILITY;
  8. TO ACCEPT, AS AGENT OF THE  STATE,  ANY  GRANT,  INCLUDING  FEDERAL
GRANTS,  OR ANY GIFT FOR ANY OF THE PURPOSES OF THIS ARTICLE. ANY MONEYS
SO RECEIVED MAY BE EXPENDED BY THE  JUSTICE  CENTER  TO  EFFECTUATE  ANY
PURPOSE  OF THIS ARTICLE, SUBJECT TO THE SAME LIMITATIONS AS TO APPROVAL
OF EXPENDITURES AND AUDIT AS ARE PRESCRIBED FOR STATE  MONEYS  APPROPRI-
ATED FOR THE PURPOSES OF THIS ARTICLE;
  9. TO ENTER INTO CONTRACTS WITH ANY PERSON, FIRM, CORPORATION, MUNICI-
PALITY  OR  GOVERNMENTAL AGENCY FOR THE PERFORMANCE OF FUNCTIONS AUTHOR-
IZED BY LAW;
  10. TO ADMINISTER AN ADULT HOME  AND  RESIDENCE  FOR  ADULTS  RESIDENT
ADVOCACY  PROGRAM  TO ASSIST RESIDENTS, WHO HAVE AT ANY TIME RECEIVED OR
ARE RECEIVING SERVICES FROM A MENTAL HYGIENE PROVIDER,  OF  ADULT  HOMES
AND  RESIDENCES  FOR  ADULTS,  AS  DEFINED  IN SECTION TWO OF THE SOCIAL
SERVICES LAW, WHERE AT LEAST TWENTY-FIVE PERCENT  OR  TWENTY-FIVE  RESI-
DENTS,  WHICHEVER  IS  LESS,  HAVE AT ANY TIME RECEIVED OR ARE RECEIVING
SERVICES FROM A MENTAL HYGIENE PROVIDER WHICH IS LICENSED,  OPERATED  OR
FUNDED BY THE OFFICE OF MENTAL HEALTH OR OFFICE FOR PEOPLE WITH DEVELOP-
MENTAL DISABILITIES, IN UNDERSTANDING THEIR LEGAL RIGHTS, AND TO PROMOTE
AND PROTECT THE RIGHTS OF SUCH RESIDENTS.
  11. TO ADVISE AND ASSIST VULNERABLE PERSONS AND INDIVIDUALS WITH DISA-
BILITIES,  FAMILY  MEMBERS,  ADVOCATES,  SERVICE PROVIDERS AND COMMUNITY
ORGANIZATIONS IN THE FORMATION OF STRATEGIES TO IDENTIFY  AND  MEET  THE
NEEDS  OF  VULNERABLE  PERSONS  AND  INDIVIDUALS  WITH  DISABILITIES FOR
SERVICES, SUPPORTS AND ADVOCACY;
  12. TO ADVISE AND ASSIST THE GOVERNOR AND PUBLIC AND PRIVATE  ENTITIES
IN  THE  DEVELOPMENT AND IMPLEMENTATION OF STATE POLICIES WHICH MEET THE
NEEDS OF VULNERABLE PERSONS  AND  INDIVIDUALS  WITH  DISABILITIES  IN  A
MANNER  THAT  IS  RESPECTFUL  OF  THE  RIGHTS  AND CHOICES OF VULNERABLE
PERSONS AND INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES;
  13. TO SERVE AS A CLEARINGHOUSE FOR INFORMATION RELATING TO  SERVICES,
SUPPORTS  AND ADVOCACY FOR VULNERABLE PERSONS AND INDIVIDUALS WITH DISA-
BILITIES AND PROVIDE A STATEWIDE SYSTEM OF INFORMATION AND  REFERRAL  TO
LINK  PERSONS SEEKING INFORMATION AND ASSISTANCE WITH PUBLIC AND PRIVATE
SECTOR SERVICES, SUPPORTS AND ADVOCACY WHICH MAY BE APPROPRIATE TO  MEET
THEIR NEEDS;
  14.  TO  ADVISE  AND  ASSIST  THE GOVERNOR, STATE AGENCIES, VULNERABLE
PERSONS, INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES AND  PUBLIC  AND  PRIVATE  SECTOR
ENTITIES  IN  THE  DESIGN  AND IMPLEMENTATION OF INITIATIVES TO INCREASE
ACCESS TO TECHNOLOGY RELATED ASSISTANCE FOR VULNERABLE PERSONS AND INDI-
VIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES;
  15.  TO ADMINISTER THE SURROGATE DECISION-MAKING COMMITTEE PROGRAM, AS
AUTHORIZED PURSUANT TO ARTICLE EIGHTY OF THE MENTAL HYGIENE LAW;

S. 7749                             9                           A. 10721

  16. TO STIMULATE COMMUNITY INTEREST IN  THE  PROBLEMS  EXPERIENCED  BY
VULNERABLE  PERSONS AND INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES AND PROMOTE PUBLIC
AWARENESS OF RESOURCES AVAILABLE TO SUCH PERSONS AND INDIVIDUALS;
  17.  TO  ADVISE  AND ASSIST POLITICAL SUBDIVISIONS OF THE STATE IN THE
DEVELOPMENT OF LOCAL PROGRAMS FOR  VULNERABLE  PERSONS  AND  INDIVIDUALS
WITH DISABILITIES;
  18.  TO ADVISE AND ASSIST EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS IN THE STATE IN THE
DEVELOPMENT OF COURSES OF  STUDY  FOR  PERSONS  ENGAGED  IN  PUBLIC  AND
PRIVATE  PROGRAMS  FOR VULNERABLE PERSONS AND INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILI-
TIES;
  19. TO CONDUCT OR CAUSE TO BE CONDUCTED SUCH STUDIES OF THE  NEEDS  OF
VULNERABLE PERSONS AND INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES AS MAY BE APPROPRI-
ATE;
  20.  TO  DO  ALL  OTHER  THINGS  NECESSARY TO CARRY OUT ITS FUNCTIONS,
POWERS AND DUTIES SET FORTH IN THIS ARTICLE;
  21. TO RECEIVE AND REVIEW REPORTS REQUIRED PURSUANT TO  SECTION  16.19
OF  THE  MENTAL  HYGIENE LAW AND TAKE ANY ACTION AS REQUIRED BY LAW. THE
JUSTICE CENTER ALSO SHALL ASSIST THE  COMMISSIONER  OF  THE  OFFICE  FOR
PEOPLE  WITH  DEVELOPMENTAL  DISABILITIES  IN  DEVELOPING  AND PREPARING
RECOMMENDATIONS REQUIRED  BY  PARAGRAPH  THREE  OF  SUBDIVISION  (D)  OF
SECTION  16.19 OF THE MENTAL HYGIENE LAW FOR SUBMISSION TO THE GOVERNOR,
TEMPORARY PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE AND SPEAKER OF THE ASSEMBLY;
  22. TO PREPARE AND DISSEMINATE AN EDUCATIONAL PAMPHLET, AND  SERVE  AS
AN  INFORMATION CLEARINGHOUSE, ON THE RIGHTS OF PARENTS AND LEGAL REPRE-
SENTATIVES AND ADVOCATES TO  ACCESS  RECORDS  AND  REPORTS  RELATING  TO
PATIENT  CARE  AND  TREATMENT  AND  ALL  OTHER  RELEVANT  DOCUMENTS FROM
PROGRAMS AND FACILITIES THAT ARE LICENSED, CERTIFIED OR OPERATED BY  THE
OFFICES  OF MENTAL HEALTH, PEOPLE WITH DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES, ALCO-
HOLISM AND SUBSTANCE ABUSE SERVICES, AND CHILDREN AND  FAMILY  SERVICES,
AND  THE  DEPARTMENT  OF HEALTH AND THE STATE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT. SUCH
PAMPHLET SHALL INCLUDE A DISCUSSION OF HOW TO APPEAL A DECISION  DENYING
A REQUESTED RECORD OR REPORT;
  23.  TO  CONSULT  WITH  THE  COMMISSIONER  OF  EDUCATION REGARDING THE
PROMULGATION OF RULES AND REGULATIONS REQUIRING THAT  EVERY  SCHOOL  BUS
DRIVER  AND  SCHOOL  BUS  ATTENDANT  SERVING  STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES
RECEIVE TRAINING AND INSTRUCTION RELATING TO THE  UNDERSTANDING  OF  AND
ATTENTION  TO THE SPECIAL NEEDS OF SUCH STUDENTS PURSUANT TO SUBDIVISION
ONE OF SECTION THIRTY-SIX HUNDRED FIFTY OF THE EDUCATION LAW AND  SUBDI-
VISION  FOUR  OF SECTION TWELVE HUNDRED TWENTY-NINE-D OF THE VEHICLE AND
TRAFFIC LAW;
  24. TO MONITOR AND MAKE RECOMMENDATIONS REGARDING THE QUALITY OF  CARE
PROVIDED TO INMATES WITH SERIOUS MENTAL ILLNESS, INCLUDING THOSE WHO ARE
IN  A RESIDENTIAL MENTAL HEALTH TREATMENT UNIT OR SEGREGATED CONFINEMENT
IN FACILITIES OPERATED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF  CORRECTIONS  AND  COMMUNITY
SUPERVISION,  AND  OVERSEE  COMPLIANCE  WITH  PARAGRAPHS  (D) AND (E) OF
SUBDIVISION SIX OF SECTION ONE HUNDRED THIRTY-SEVEN,  AND  SECTION  FOUR
HUNDRED  ONE  OF  THE  CORRECTION  LAW.  SUCH  RESPONSIBILITIES SHALL BE
CARRIED OUT IN  ACCORDANCE  WITH  SECTION  FOUR  HUNDRED  ONE-A  OF  THE
CORRECTION LAW;
  25.  (A)  TO MAKE A PRELIMINARY DETERMINATION WHETHER MATTERS REFERRED
TO ITS ATTENTION, WARRANT INVESTIGATION AND, IF SO, CONDUCT AN  INVESTI-
GATION OF SUCH SCOPE AND DURATION AS IT DEEMS NECESSARY AND PROPER;
  (B)  MAKE  FINDINGS  CONCERNING SUCH MATTERS REFERRED TO ITS ATTENTION
AND, WHERE IT DEEMS APPROPRIATE,  MAKE  A  REPORT  AND  RECOMMENDATIONS,
WHICH  SHALL  BE PROVIDED TO THE COMMISSIONER AND TO THE DIRECTOR OF THE
FACILITY INVOLVED. SUCH COMMISSIONER AND  DIRECTOR  SHALL  EACH  MAKE  A

S. 7749                            10                           A. 10721

WRITTEN  RESPONSE,  WITHIN  NINETY  DAYS  OF  RECEIPT OF SUCH REPORT, OF
ACTION TAKEN REGARDING EACH OF THE RECOMMENDATIONS IN THE REPORT;
  26.  TO  REVIEW  THE COST EFFECTIVENESS OF MENTAL HYGIENE PROGRAMS AND
PROCEDURES PROVIDED FOR BY LAW WITH  PARTICULAR ATTENTION TO EFFICIENCY,
EFFECTIVENESS AND ECONOMY IN THE MANAGEMENT, SUPERVISION AND DELIVERY OF
SUCH   PROGRAMS. SUCH REVIEW MAY INCLUDE BUT  IS  NOT  LIMITED  TO:  (A)
DETERMINING  REASONS  FOR RISING COSTS AND POSSIBLE MEANS OF CONTROLLING
THEM; (B) ANALYZING AND COMPARING  EXPENDITURES  IN  MENTAL  HYGIENE  TO
DETERMINE  THE  FACTORS  ASSOCIATED  WITH  VARIATIONS  IN COSTS; AND (C)
ANALYZING AND COMPARING ACHIEVEMENTS IN SELECTED  SAMPLES  TO  DETERMINE
THE  FACTORS  ASSOCIATED  WITH  VARIATIONS  IN PROGRAM SUCCESS AND THEIR
RELATIONSHIP TO MENTAL HYGIENE COSTS; AND
  27. IN ITS DISCRETION, TO REVIEW THE POLICIES AND  PRACTICES  RELATING
TO  THE  PREVENTION  OF ABUSE OR NEGLECT IN FACILITIES OR PROVIDER AGEN-
CIES, INCLUDING STAFFING PATTERNS OF  VARIOUS  SERVICE  MODELS  AND  THE
SUPERVISION REQUIRED TO HELP ENSURE THE SAFETY OF SERVICE RECIPIENTS.
  S 554. CODES OF CONDUCT.  1. THE JUSTICE CENTER SHALL ADOPT AND AMEND,
AS APPROPRIATE, CODES OF CONDUCT FOR ALL CUSTODIANS AS DEFINED IN SUBDI-
VISION  TWO  OF SECTION FOUR HUNDRED EIGHTY-EIGHT OF THE SOCIAL SERVICES
LAW WHO HAVE OR WILL HAVE REGULAR AND  DIRECT  CONTACT  WITH  VULNERABLE
PERSONS  WHO  RESIDE  IN  OR  RECEIVE  SERVICES  FROM SUCH FACILITIES OR
PROVIDER AGENCIES. SUCH CODES SHALL GOVERN THE CONDUCT  OF  SUCH  CUSTO-
DIANS  WITH  RESPECT  TO  THE  SAFETY, DIGNITY AND WELFARE OF VULNERABLE
PERSONS TO WHOM THEY PROVIDE CARE. THE JUSTICE CENTER SHALL ESTABLISH  A
PROCESS  BY WHICH EACH CUSTODIAN IS PROVIDED WITH A COPY OF THE APPLICA-
BLE CODE OF CONDUCT AND IS REQUIRED, AT THE TIME OF HIS OR  HER  INITIAL
EMPLOYMENT,  AND AT LEAST ANNUALLY THEREAFTER, TO ACKNOWLEDGE THAT HE OR
SHE HAS READ AND UNDERSTANDS SUCH CODE OF CONDUCT.  SUCH  PROCESS  SHALL
ALSO PROVIDE FOR THE ENFORCEMENT OF SUCH CODES CONSISTENT WITH APPROPRI-
ATE COLLECTIVE BARGAINING AGREEMENTS.
  2.  MINIMUM  REQUIREMENTS FOR CODES OF CONDUCT.  SUCH CODES OF CONDUCT
SHALL INCLUDE, AT A MINIMUM:  A. PROVISIONS REGARDING THE RESPONSIBILITY
OF SUCH CUSTODIANS TO  SUPPORT  THE  EMOTIONAL,  PHYSICAL  AND  PERSONAL
WELL-BEING  OF  THE  VULNERABLE  PERSONS  THEY  SERVE,  INCLUDING  THEIR
PROTECTION FROM ABUSE AND NEGLECT, AND TO SEEK GUIDANCE  AND  ADVICE  TO
RESOLVE  ISSUES  AS NEEDED WHEN MAKING DECISIONS RELATING TO THE PERSONS
THEY SERVE.
  B. PROVISIONS REGARDING  THE  RESPONSIBILITY  OF  SUCH  CUSTODIANS  TO
ASSIST THE VULNERABLE PERSONS THEY SUPPORT TO DIRECT THE COURSE OF THEIR
OWN  LIVES, HONORING, WHERE APPROPRIATE, THEIR RIGHT TO ASSUME RISK IN A
SAFE MANNER AND RECOGNIZING THEIR POTENTIAL FOR  LIFELONG  LEARNING  AND
GROWTH.
  C.    PROVISIONS REGARDING THE RESPONSIBILITY OF CUSTODIANS TO PARTIC-
IPATE IN AVAILABLE, APPROPRIATE TRAINING TO  MAINTAIN  THEIR  COMPETENCY
AND  SKILL-LEVEL,  AND TO MODEL AND SHAPE THE BEHAVIOR OF THEIR CO-WORK-
ERS.
  D.   PROVISIONS REGARDING THE RESPONSIBILITY  OF  SUCH  CUSTODIANS  TO
PROMOTE  AND  PRACTICE  JUSTICE,  FAIRNESS AND EQUITY FOR THE VULNERABLE
PERSONS THEY SUPPORT, UPHOLD AND RESPECT THEIR HUMAN  AND  CIVIL  RIGHTS
AND RESPECT THEIR HUMAN DIGNITY AND UNIQUENESS.
  E.    PROVISIONS  REGARDING  THE  RESPONSIBILITY OF SUCH CUSTODIANS TO
ASSIST, WHERE APPROPRIATE, THE VULNERABLE PERSONS THEY SUPPORT IN DEVEL-
OPING AND MAINTAINING  RELATIONSHIPS  WITH  FAMILIES,  FRIENDS  AND  THE
COMMUNITY-AT-LARGE.
  F.    PROVISIONS  REGARDING  THE  RESPONSIBILITY OF SUCH CUSTODIANS TO
ADVOCATE WITH AND/OR ON BEHALF OF THE VULNERABLE  PERSONS  THEY  SUPPORT

S. 7749                            11                           A. 10721

FOR THEIR NEEDS, INTEREST, JUSTICE, INCLUSION AND FULL COMMUNITY PARTIC-
IPATION.
  G. PROVISIONS REQUIRING SUCH CUSTODIANS TO REPORT REPORTABLE INCIDENTS
AS  REQUIRED  IN  SECTION FOUR HUNDRED NINETY-ONE OF THE SOCIAL SERVICES
LAW.
  S 555. JUSTICE CENTER MEDICAL REVIEW BOARD; ORGANIZATION.   (A)  THERE
SHALL  BE  WITHIN  THE  JUSTICE CENTER A MEDICAL REVIEW BOARD. THE BOARD
SHALL BE COMPOSED OF UP TO FIFTEEN  MEMBERS,  INCLUDING  SPECIALISTS  IN
FORENSIC PATHOLOGY, PSYCHIATRY, INTERNAL MEDICINE AND ADDICTION MEDICINE
TO BE APPOINTED BY THE GOVERNOR. THE GOVERNOR SHALL DESIGNATE ONE OF THE
MEMBERS  TO  SERVE AS CHAIR OF THE BOARD. MEMBERS SHALL BE APPOINTED FOR
TERMS OF THREE YEARS, PROVIDED, HOWEVER, THAT ONE-THIRD OF  THE  MEMBERS
FIRST APPOINTED SHALL BE APPOINTED FOR A ONE YEAR TERM AND ONE-THIRD FOR
TWO YEAR TERMS. VACANCIES SHALL BE FILLED IN THE SAME MANNER AS ORIGINAL
APPOINTMENTS  FOR  THE  REMAINDER  OF  ANY UNEXPIRED TERM. MEMBERS SHALL
CONTINUE IN OFFICE AFTER THE  EXPIRATION  OF  THEIR  TERMS  UNTIL  THEIR
SUCCESSORS  HAVE  BEEN  APPOINTED AND QUALIFIED. THE GOVERNOR MAY REMOVE
ANY MEMBER OF THE BOARD WHENEVER IN  HIS  OR  HER  JUDGMENT  THE  PUBLIC
INTEREST MAY REQUIRE SUCH REMOVAL. IN CASE OF SUCH REMOVAL, THE GOVERNOR
SHALL FILE WITH THE DEPARTMENT OF STATE A STATEMENT INDICATING THE CAUSE
FOR  SUCH REMOVAL. NOTWITHSTANDING ANY PROVISION OF LAW TO THE CONTRARY,
THE CHAIR OF THE BOARD MAY APPOINT COMMITTEES OF FIVE OR MORE MEMBERS OF
THE BOARD AND DELEGATE IN WRITING TO ANY SUCH COMMITTEE THE AUTHORITY TO
PERFORM THE FUNCTIONS, POWERS  AND  DUTIES  OF  THE  BOARD  PURSUANT  TO
SECTION FIVE HUNDRED FIFTY-SIX OF THIS ARTICLE.
  (B)  THE  MEMBERS OF THE BOARD SHALL RECEIVE NO COMPENSATION FOR THEIR
SERVICES BUT SHALL BE REIMBURSED FOR THEIR ACTUAL AND NECESSARY EXPENSES
INCURRED IN THE PERFORMANCE OF THEIR DUTIES.
  (C) THE BOARD SHALL HAVE AN EXECUTIVE SECRETARY AND SUCH OFFICERS  AND
EMPLOYEES  AS  THE  EXECUTIVE  DIRECTOR SHALL ASSIGN UPON REQUEST OF THE
CHAIR OF THE BOARD, TO ASSIST IT IN THE PERFORMANCE OF ITS DUTIES.
  (D) ALL RECORDS OF  THE  PROCEEDINGS  AND  THE  DELIBERATIONS  OF  THE
JUSTICE  CENTER  MEDICAL REVIEW BOARD SHALL NOT BE SUBJECT TO DISCLOSURE
UNDER ARTICLE THIRTY-ONE OF THE CIVIL PRACTICE LAW AND RULES.
  (E) THE BOARD OR ANY COMMITTEE APPOINTED BY THE  CHAIR  OF  THE  BOARD
SHALL  MEET AT THE REQUEST OF ITS CHAIR OR THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE
JUSTICE CENTER. ANY MEMBER OF  THE  BOARD  WHO  FAILS  TO  ATTEND  THREE
CONSECUTIVE  MEETINGS OF THE BOARD OR THE COMMITTEE TO WHICH SUCH MEMBER
IS ASSIGNED BY THE CHAIR OF THE BOARD, UNLESS EXCUSED BY  THE  CHAIR  OF
THE  BOARD, SHALL BE CONSIDERED TO HAVE VACATED HIS OR HER OFFICE UNLESS
OTHERWISE ORDERED BY THE GOVERNOR. THE TERM OF ANY SUCH PERSON APPOINTED
BY THE GOVERNOR TO FILL SUCH VACANCY SHALL BE GOVERNED BY THE PROVISIONS
OF THIS SECTION.
  S 556. FUNCTIONS, POWERS AND DUTIES OF THE BOARD.  THE JUSTICE  CENTER
MEDICAL  REVIEW  BOARD  SHALL  HAVE  THE FOLLOWING FUNCTIONS, POWERS AND
DUTIES:
  (A) MAKE A PRELIMINARY DETERMINATION WHETHER THE DEATH OF A PATIENT OR
RESIDENT IN A RESIDENTIAL FACILITY WITHIN  THE  MEANING  OF  SUBDIVISION
FOUR  OF  SECTION  FOUR  HUNDRED EIGHTY-EIGHT OF THE SOCIAL SERVICES LAW
THAT IS OPERATED, LICENSED OR CERTIFIED BY AN OFFICE OF  THE  DEPARTMENT
OF  MENTAL  HYGIENE OR THE OFFICE OF CHILDREN AND FAMILY SERVICES, WHICH
HAS BEEN BROUGHT TO ITS ATTENTION  IS  UNUSUAL  OR  WHETHER  SUCH  DEATH
REASONABLY  APPEARS  TO HAVE RESULTED FROM OTHER THAN NATURAL CAUSES AND
WARRANTS INVESTIGATION;

S. 7749                            12                           A. 10721

  (B) INVESTIGATE THE  CAUSES  OF  AND  CIRCUMSTANCES  SURROUNDING  SUCH
UNUSUAL  DEATH  OR  DEATHS FROM OTHER THAN NATURAL CAUSES OF PATIENTS OR
RESIDENTS IN SUCH FACILITIES;
  (C) VISIT AND INSPECT ANY FACILITY IN WHICH SUCH A DEATH HAS OCCURRED;
  (D)  CAUSE  THE  BODY  OF  THE  DECEASED  TO UNDERGO SUCH EXAMINATIONS
INCLUDING AN AUTOPSY AS IN THE OPINION OF THE  BOARD  ARE  NECESSARY  TO
DETERMINE  THE  CAUSE OF DEATH, IRRESPECTIVE OF WHETHER SUCH EXAMINATION
OR AUTOPSY SHALL HAVE BEEN PREVIOUSLY PERFORMED;
  (E) UPON REVIEW OF THE CAUSE  OF  AND  CIRCUMSTANCES  SURROUNDING  THE
DEATH OF ANY PATIENT OR RESIDENT, SUBMIT ITS REPORT THEREON TO THE EXEC-
UTIVE  DIRECTOR  AND, WHERE APPROPRIATE, MAKE RECOMMENDATIONS TO PREVENT
THE RECURRENCE OF SAME TO THE APPROPRIATE COMMISSIONER OF THE DEPARTMENT
OF MENTAL HYGIENE OR THE COMMISSIONER OF CHILDREN  AND  FAMILY  SERVICES
AND TO THE DIRECTOR OF THE FACILITY; AND
  (F)  ADVISE  THE  EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR ON MEDICAL ISSUES RELEVANT TO THE
FUNCTIONS, POWERS, AND DUTIES OF THE JUSTICE  CENTER  INCLUDING  ALLEGA-
TIONS OF ABUSE OR NEGLECT OF A PATIENT OR RESIDENT REFERRED TO IT.
  S 557. REPORTS  TO THE JUSTICE CENTER.  EVERY DIRECTOR OR OTHER PERSON
IN CHARGE OF A RESIDENTIAL FACILITY WITHIN THE  MEANING  OF  SUBDIVISION
FOUR  OF  SECTION  FOUR  HUNDRED EIGHTY-EIGHT OF THE SOCIAL SERVICES LAW
OPERATED, LICENSED OR CERTIFIED BY AN OFFICE OF THE DEPARTMENT OF MENTAL
HYGIENE OR THE OFFICE OF CHILDREN  AND  FAMILY  SERVICES,  SHALL  REPORT
IMMEDIATELY  TO  THE  EXECUTIVE  DIRECTOR AND THE JUSTICE CENTER MEDICAL
REVIEW BOARD THE DEATH OF A PATIENT OR RESIDENT OF ANY SUCH FACILITY  IN
SUCH MANNER AND SUCH FORM AS THE JUSTICE CENTER SHALL PRESCRIBE, TOGETH-
ER WITH AN AUTOPSY REPORT, IF ANY.
  S  558. ACCESS TO RECORDS AND FACILITIES.  (A) THE JUSTICE CENTER MUST
BE GRANTED ACCESS AT ANY AND ALL TIMES TO ANY FACILITY OR PROVIDER AGEN-
CY AS DEFINED IN SUBDIVISION FOUR OF SECTION FOUR  HUNDRED  EIGHTY-EIGHT
OF  THE  SOCIAL  SERVICES  LAW, AND, CONSISTENT WITH FEDERAL LAW, TO ALL
BOOKS, RECORDS, AND DATA PERTAINING TO ANY  SUCH  FACILITY  OR  PROVIDER
AGENCY DEEMED NECESSARY FOR CARRYING OUT THE JUSTICE CENTER'S FUNCTIONS,
POWERS  AND  DUTIES.   THE JUSTICE CENTER OR ANY EMPLOYEE OF THE JUSTICE
CENTER DESIGNATED BY THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR MAY REQUIRE FROM  THE  OFFI-
CERS  OR  EMPLOYEES  OF  SUCH  FACILITY  OR  PROVIDER AGENCY OR FROM THE
COMMISSIONERS OF THE STATE OVERSIGHT AGENCIES AS DEFINED IN  SUBDIVISION
FOUR-A  OF SUCH SECTION FOUR HUNDRED EIGHTY-EIGHT OF THE SOCIAL SERVICES
LAW, ANY INFORMATION DEEMED NECESSARY FOR THE PURPOSE  OF  CARRYING  OUT
THE  JUSTICE  CENTER'S FUNCTIONS, POWERS AND DUTIES, INCLUDING OTHERWISE
CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION AND SUCH ENTITIES SHALL BE REQUIRED TO  PROVIDE
SUCH  REQUESTED INFORMATION.   THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OR ANY EMPLOYEE OF
THE JUSTICE CENTER DESIGNATED BY THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR MAY REQUIRE FROM
ANY HOSPITAL, AS DEFINED UNDER ARTICLE TWENTY-EIGHT OF THE PUBLIC HEALTH
LAW, ANY INFORMATION, REPORT OR RECORD  NECESSARY  FOR  THE  PURPOSE  OF
CARRYING  OUT  THE  FUNCTIONS,  POWERS  AND DUTIES OF THE JUSTICE CENTER
RELATED TO THE INVESTIGATION  OF  DEATHS  AND  COMPLAINTS  OF  ABUSE  OR
NEGLECT  CONCERNING  VULNERABLE  PERSONS  WHO  HAVE BEEN TREATED AT SUCH
HOSPITALS, AND FROM ANY ADULT CARE FACILITY AS  DEFINED  IN  SUBDIVISION
TWENTY-ONE  OF SECTION TWO OF THE SOCIAL SERVICES LAW, SUCH INFORMATION,
REPORT OR RECORD, INCLUDING ACCESS TO SUCH FACILITY  NECESSARY  FOR  THE
PURPOSE  OF CARRYING OUT THE FUNCTIONS, POWERS AND DUTIES OF THE JUSTICE
CENTER RELATED TO THE INVESTIGATION OF  DEATHS  CONCERNING  PATIENTS  OF
MENTAL  HYGIENE  FACILITIES WHO RESIDED AT SUCH RESIDENTIAL CARE FACILI-
TIES AT THE TIME OF THEIR DEATH OR WERE FORMER RESIDENTS OF  SUCH  RESI-
DENTIAL  CARE  FACILITIES  AND  THE  JUSTICE CENTER DETERMINES THAT SUCH
INFORMATION, REPORT OR RECORD IS NECESSARY FOR  THE  COMPLETION  OF  ITS

S. 7749                            13                           A. 10721

INVESTIGATION.    SUCH  HOSPITALS  AND  ADULT  CARE  FACILITIES SHALL BE
REQUIRED TO PROVIDE SUCH REQUESTED  INFORMATION,  REPORTS,  RECORDS  AND
ACCESS.  THE RESULTS OF INVESTIGATIONS INVOLVING SUCH RESIDENTS OF ADULT
CARE  FACILITIES  SHALL  BE PROVIDED PROMPTLY TO THE COMMISSIONER OF THE
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND SHALL BE TREATED AS A RECORD OR PERSONAL INFOR-
MATION WITHIN THE MEANING OF SECTION NINETY-SIX OF THE  PUBLIC  OFFICERS
LAW  AND  SHALL  NOT BE DISCLOSED EXCEPT IN ACCORDANCE WITH SUCH SECTION
NINETY-SIX. INFORMATION, BOOKS, RECORDS OR DATA WHICH  ARE  CONFIDENTIAL
AS  PROVIDED BY LAW SHALL BE KEPT CONFIDENTIAL BY THE JUSTICE CENTER AND
ANY LIMITATIONS ON THE RELEASE THEREOF IMPOSED BY  LAW  UPON  THE  PARTY
FURNISHING  THE  INFORMATION,  BOOKS, RECORDS OR DATA SHALL APPLY TO THE
JUSTICE CENTER EXCEPT AS MAY OTHERWISE BE PROVIDED BY ARTICLE ELEVEN  OF
THE SOCIAL SERVICES LAW.
  (B)  (I) THE GOVERNOR SHALL DESIGNATE AN INDEPENDENT PUBLIC OR PRIVATE
AGENCY, HEREINAFTER "INDEPENDENT AGENCY", TO CONDUCT AND COORDINATE  THE
PROTECTION  AND  ADVOCACY AND CLIENT ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS, AS ESTABLISHED
BY FEDERAL LAW TO PROVIDE FEDERAL OVERSIGHT OF  THE  STATE'S  SYSTEM  OF
CARE  FOR  INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES, AS DEFINED IN FEDERAL LAWS AND
TO  ASSIST  SUCH  PERSONS  WITH  ACCESSING   VOCATIONAL   REHABILITATION
SERVICES.  FOR  PURPOSES OF THIS SUBDIVISION, INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILI-
TIES SHALL HAVE THE SAME MEANING AS PROVIDED BY FEDERAL LAWS.  THE AGEN-
CY DESIGNATED MUST HAVE PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE IN EMPOWERING,  PROTECT-
ING  AND  ADVOCATING  ON  BEHALF OF INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES.  SUCH
AGENCY SHALL BE INDEPENDENT  OF  ANY  AGENCY  THAT  PROVIDES  TREATMENT,
SERVICES OR REHABILITATION TO INDIVIDUALS COVERED BY SUCH PROTECTION AND
ADVOCACY  AND  CLIENT  ASSISTANCE  PROGRAMS.  TO THE EXTENT PERMITTED BY
FEDERAL LAW, THE INDEPENDENT AGENCY SHALL BE  GOVERNED  BY  A  BOARD,  A
MAJORITY OF THE MEMBERS OF WHICH SHALL BE INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES,
PARENTS,  FAMILY  MEMBERS, GUARDIANS, ADVOCATES, OR AUTHORIZED REPRESEN-
TATIVES OF INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES.
  (II)  THE  INDEPENDENT  AGENCY  SHALL  CONDUCT  AND   COORDINATE   THE
PROTECTION  AND  ADVOCACY AND CLIENT ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS, AS ESTABLISHED
BY FEDERAL LAW TO PROVIDE OVERSIGHT OF THE STATE'S SYSTEM  OF  CARE  FOR
INDIVIDUALS  WITH  DISABILITIES  AND  TO  ASSIST  SUCH  INDIVIDUALS WITH
ACCESSING VOCATIONAL AND  REHABILITATION  SERVICES,  INCLUDING  BUT  NOT
LIMITED TO:
  (A)  PROVIDING  INFORMATION,  REFERRALS  AND  TECHNICAL  ASSISTANCE TO
ADDRESS THE NEEDS OF INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES;
  (B) PURSUING LEGAL, ADMINISTRATIVE AND OTHER APPROPRIATE  REMEDIES  OR
APPROACHES  TO  ENSURE  THE PROTECTION OF AND ADVOCACY FOR THE RIGHTS OF
INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES;
  (C) INVESTIGATING INCIDENTS OF ABUSE AND NEGLECT OF  INDIVIDUALS  WITH
DISABILITIES  IF THE INCIDENTS ARE REPORTED TO THE INDEPENDENT AGENCY OR
IF THERE IS PROBABLE CAUSE TO BELIEVE THAT THE INCIDENTS OCCURRED; AND
  (D) ESTABLISHING A GRIEVANCE  PROCEDURE  FOR  CLIENTS  OR  PROSPECTIVE
CLIENTS  OF THE SYSTEM TO ENSURE THAT INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES HAVE
FULL ACCESS TO SERVICES OF THE SYSTEM.
  (III) PURSUANT TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL LAW, UPON RECEIPT  OF  A
COMPLAINT  OF  AN  INCIDENT  OF ABUSE OR NEGLECT OF AN INDIVIDUAL WITH A
DISABILITY, OR IF THERE IS PROBABLE CAUSE TO BELIEVE THAT SUCH AN  INCI-
DENT  OCCURRED,  THE  INDEPENDENT  AGENCY  SHALL  HAVE PROMPT ACCESS, AT
REASONABLE TIMES: TO ANY FACILITY OR PART THEREOF SERVING SUCH  INDIVID-
UAL  THAT  IS OPERATED, CERTIFIED OR LICENSED BY ANY OFFICE OR AGENCY OF
THE STATE; TO ALL BOOKS, RECORDS AND DATA PERTAINING TO SUCH A FACILITY;
TO SUCH INDIVIDUAL WITH A DISABILITY IN A LOCATION  IN  WHICH  SERVICES,
SUPPORTS  AND  OTHER  ASSISTANCE  ARE  PROVIDED  TO  SUCH INDIVIDUAL; TO

S. 7749                            14                           A. 10721

RECORDS OF A FACILITY OR PROVIDER AGENCY CONCERNING SUCH INDIVIDUAL; AND
TO ANY OTHER RECORDS THAT ARE RELEVANT TO CONDUCTING  AN  INVESTIGATION.
THE  INDEPENDENT AGENCY ALSO SHALL HAVE ACCESS TO RECORDS OF THE JUSTICE
CENTER  AS  SET  FORTH IN PARAGRAPH (F) OF SUBDIVISION ONE AND PARAGRAPH
(Y) OF SUBDIVISION TWO OF SECTION FOUR HUNDRED NINETY-SIX OF THE  SOCIAL
SERVICES LAW.
  (IV)  ALL  RECORDS  AND  DOCUMENTS  RECEIVED BY THE INDEPENDENT AGENCY
SHALL BE RECEIVED SUBJECT TO ANY CONFIDENTIALITY REQUIREMENTS APPLICABLE
PURSUANT TO STATE AND FEDERAL LAW.
  (V) THE GOVERNOR SHALL BE AUTHORIZED TO RE-DESIGNATE THE AGENCY IMPLE-
MENTING THE  PROTECTION  AND  ADVOCACY  PROGRAM  AND  CLIENT  ASSISTANCE
PROGRAMS  ONLY  IF  THERE  IS  GOOD  CAUSE FOR THE RE-DESIGNATION AND IN
ACCORDANCE WITH FEDERAL REQUIREMENTS.
  (VI) THE INDEPENDENT AGENCY MAY ASSIST IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF  RESIDEN-
TIAL COUNCILS AT FACILITIES AND PROGRAMS.
  (VII) TO THE EXTENT CONSISTENT WITH FEDERAL LAW, THE INDEPENDENT AGEN-
CY  SHALL  MAKE  COPIES OF ANY OF ITS REPORTS AVAILABLE TO THE GOVERNOR,
THE TEMPORARY PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE AND THE SPEAKER OF THE ASSEMBLY.
  (VIII) THE INDEPENDENT AGENCY SHALL TAKE AFFIRMATIVE STEPS  TO  ASSURE
THAT  ITS PROGRAMS AND SERVICES ARE GEOGRAPHICALLY REPRESENTATIVE OF THE
STATE AND, TO  THE  EXTENT  PRACTICABLE,  ENSURE  REGIONAL  ACCESS,  AND
REFLECT THE DIVERSITY OF THE STATE WITH RESPECT TO RACE AND ETHNICITY.
  (C) IN THE EXERCISE OF ITS FUNCTIONS, POWERS AND DUTIES, THE EXECUTIVE
DIRECTOR  AND  ANY  EMPLOYEE  DESIGNATED  BY HIM OR HER IS AUTHORIZED TO
ISSUE AND ENFORCE A SUBPOENA AND A SUBPOENA DUCES TECUM,  CONDUCT  HEAR-
INGS,  ADMINISTER  OATHS  AND  EXAMINE PERSONS UNDER OATH, IN ACCORDANCE
WITH AND PURSUANT TO CIVIL PRACTICE LAW AND RULES.
  (D) IN ANY CASE WHERE A PERSON IN CHARGE OR CONTROL OF  SUCH  FACILITY
OR  AN  OFFICER  OR  EMPLOYEE  THEREOF  SHALL  FAIL  TO  COMPLY WITH THE
PROVISIONS OF SUBDIVISION (A) OF THIS SECTION, THE  JUSTICE  CENTER  MAY
APPLY  TO THE SUPREME COURT FOR AN ORDER DIRECTED TO SUCH PERSON REQUIR-
ING COMPLIANCE THEREWITH. UPON SUCH APPLICATION THE COURT MAY ISSUE SUCH
ORDER AS MAY BE JUST AND A FAILURE TO COMPLY WITH THE ORDER OF THE COURT
SHALL BE A CONTEMPT OF COURT AND PUNISHABLE AS SUCH.
  S 559. NEW YORK STATE INTERAGENCY COORDINATING COUNCIL FOR SERVICES TO
PERSONS WHO ARE DEAF, DEAF-BLIND, OR HARD OF HEARING.  1. SUBJECT TO  AN
APPROPRIATION,  THE JUSTICE CENTER SHALL HAVE THE CENTRAL RESPONSIBILITY
FOR ADMINISTERING THE PROVISIONS OF THIS SECTION AND  OTHERWISE  COORDI-
NATING  THE ACTIVITIES OF THE STATE INTERAGENCY COORDINATING COUNCIL FOR
SERVICES TO PERSONS WHO ARE DEAF, DEAF-BLIND, OR HARD  OF  HEARING  WITH
RESPECT  TO  SERVING RESIDENTS OF THE STATE WHO ARE DEAF, DEAF-BLIND, OR
HARD OF HEARING, IN CONSULTATION WITH THE OFFICE OF CHILDREN AND  FAMILY
SERVICES,  THE  OFFICE FOR THE AGING, THE PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION, THE
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH, THE DEPARTMENT OF LABOR, THE DEPARTMENT OF  EDUCA-
TION,  AND OTHER STATE AGENCIES AS APPROPRIATE. THE COUNCIL SHALL MEET A
MINIMUM OF THREE TIMES A YEAR.
  2. THE FOLLOWING DEFINITIONS DESCRIBE THE  FUNCTIONAL  CHARACTERISTICS
OF PERSONS WHO ARE DEAF, DEAF-BLIND, OR HARD OF HEARING, AS USED IN THIS
SECTION.
  (A)  DEAF.  DESCRIBES PERSONS WHO HAVE A PROFOUND HEARING LOSS AND WHO
PRIMARILY RELY ON VISUAL COMMUNICATION, SUCH AS SIGN LANGUAGE,  WRITING,
LIP  READING, AND GESTURES, WHICH MAY BE USED EXCLUSIVELY OR IN COMBINA-
TION. SUCH PERSONS GENERALLY USE A FORM OF  AMERICAN  SIGN  LANGUAGE  AS
THEIR  PRIMARY  MODE  OF COMMUNICATION. IN ADDITION, THERE IS A GROUP OF
PROFOUNDLY DEAF INDIVIDUALS WHO COMMUNICATE  ORALLY  AND  MAY  USE  SIGN
LANGUAGE  TO SUPPORT THEIR UNDERSTANDING OF THE SPOKEN LANGUAGE. HEARING

S. 7749                            15                           A. 10721

AIDS AND OTHER ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY MAY ALSO BE USED TO AID IN  COMMUNI-
CATION.
  (B)  DEAF-BLIND.  AN  INDIVIDUAL WITH A CONCOMITANT HEARING AND VISUAL
IMPAIRMENT, THE COMBINATION OF WHICH CAUSES  SUCH  SEVERE  COMMUNICATION
AND  OTHER  DEVELOPMENTAL  AND  EDUCATIONAL PROBLEMS THAT THE INDIVIDUAL
CANNOT BE ACCOMMODATED IN PROGRAMS FOR INDIVIDUALS WHO ARE  SOLELY  DEAF
OR BLIND.
  (C)  HARD OF HEARING. A HARD OF HEARING PERSON IS SOMEONE WITH A MEAS-
URABLE HEARING LOSS AND WHO SELF-IDENTIFIES AS BEING  HARD  OF  HEARING,
ALTHOUGH  AUDIOLOGICALLY  HE  OR  SHE  MAY HAVE A PROFOUND HEARING LOSS.
ADDITIONALLY, THIS PERSON TYPICALLY USES HIS OR  HER  RESIDUAL  HEARING,
SPEECH AND SPEECH READING SKILLS, AND HEARING AIDS TO COMMUNICATE; HE OR
SHE MAY RELY ON ASSISTIVE LISTENING DEVICES TO AUGMENT HIS OR HER ABILI-
TY TO HEAR AND SPEAK.
  3.  SUBJECT  TO  AN  APPROPRIATION,  THE JUSTICE CENTER SHALL HAVE THE
FOLLOWING POWERS AND DUTIES:
  (A) TO COORDINATE THE ACTIVITIES OF THE STATE INTERAGENCY COORDINATING
COUNCIL AND TO PROMOTE, IN COOPERATION WITH THE APPROPRIATE STATE  AGEN-
CIES, THE IMPLEMENTATION OF A COMPREHENSIVE STATEWIDE PROGRAM OF COORDI-
NATED  SERVICES FOR PERSONS WHO ARE DEAF, DEAF-BLIND, OR HARD OF HEARING
THAT INCLUDES EDUCATIONAL, MEDICAL, HOUSING, TRANSPORTATION,  TECHNOLOGY
SUPPORTS,  PERSONAL  CARE,  FAMILY  SUPPORTS,  DAY PROGRAM SERVICES, AND
OTHER ESSENTIAL SERVICES THAT MAXIMIZE EXISTING RESOURCES  AND  ADMINIS-
TRATIVE MECHANISMS TO ADDRESS ISSUES AND LEGAL OBLIGATIONS.
  (B) TO MAINTAIN DATA ON THE INCIDENCE OF DEAFNESS, DEAF-BLINDNESS, AND
OTHER HEARING LOSS.
  (C)  TO SERVE AS A CLEARINGHOUSE FOR INFORMATION ON SERVICES AVAILABLE
TO PERSONS WHO ARE DEAF, DEAF-BLIND, OR HARD OF HEARING, INCLUDING,  BUT
NOT  LIMITED  TO, RESOURCES THAT SUPPORT THE DEVELOPMENT AND IMPLEMENTA-
TION OF COMMUNITY-BASED SERVICES AND REHABILITATION.
  (D) TO DISSEMINATE GENERAL INFORMATION  ON  DEAFNESS  AND  THE  UNIQUE
COMMUNICATION  NEEDS  OF  PERSONS  WHO ARE DEAF, DEAF-BLIND, AND HARD OF
HEARING, AND TO INFORM THE DEAF, DEAF-BLIND, AND HARD OF HEARING  COMMU-
NITIES ABOUT AVAILABLE SERVICES AND HOW SUCH SERVICES CAN BE ACCESSED.
  (E)  TO  RECEIVE COMPLAINTS IN MATTERS AFFECTING THE DEAF, DEAF-BLIND,
OR HARD OF HEARING COMMUNITIES AND  TO  REFER  SUCH  COMPLAINTS  TO  THE
APPROPRIATE REGULATORY AGENCIES WHERE IT DEEMS NECESSARY OR APPROPRIATE.
  (F)  TO  CONDUCT  AN  ONGOING  EVALUATION  OF  THE  NEEDS OF THE DEAF,
DEAF-BLIND, AND HARD OF HEARING COMMUNITIES, INCLUDING TECHNOLOGY NEEDS.
  (G) TO REPORT TO THE GOVERNOR AND THE LEGISLATURE, ON OR BEFORE NOVEM-
BER FIRST OF EACH YEAR, ON MATTERS  WHICH  SHALL  INCLUDE,  BUT  NOT  BE
LIMITED TO:
  (I)  THE  STATUS  OF  CURRENT  EFFORTS TO ACHIEVE THE PURPOSES OF THIS
SECTION, WHICH WILL BE UPDATED IN SUBSEQUENT REPORTS; AND
  (II) RECOMMENDATIONS FOR STANDARDS, POLICIES, PROCEDURES, AND  STRATE-
GIES NECESSARY TO ASSURE COMMUNICATION ACCESSIBILITY AND COMMUNITY-BASED
SERVICES, INCLUDING NEEDED STATUTORY REVISIONS.
  4. (A) SUBJECT TO AN APPROPRIATION, THE STATE INTERAGENCY COORDINATING
COUNCIL  FOR  SERVICES  TO  PERSONS WHO ARE DEAF, DEAF-BLIND, OR HARD OF
HEARING IS HEREBY ESTABLISHED AND SHALL CONSIST OF THE FOLLOWING PERSONS
TO BE APPOINTED BY THE GOVERNOR:
  (I) SEVEN AGENCY HEADS OR THEIR DESIGNEES, ACTING  IN  AN  EX  OFFICIO
CAPACITY:  THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE JUSTICE CENTER, WHO SHALL SERVE
AS THE CHAIR OF THE STATE INTERAGENCY COORDINATING COUNCIL, THE  COMMIS-
SIONER  OF  THE  OFFICE OF CHILDREN AND FAMILY SERVICES, THE DIRECTOR OF
THE OFFICE FOR AGING, THE CHAIR OF THE PUBLIC  SERVICE  COMMISSION,  THE

S. 7749                            16                           A. 10721

COMMISSIONER  OF HEALTH, THE COMMISSIONER OF LABOR, AND THE COMMISSIONER
OF EDUCATION;
  (II)  SIX PERSONS WHO ARE RESIDENTS OF NEW YORK STATE AND WHO SHALL BE
PERSONS WHO ARE DEAF, DEAF-BLIND, OR HARD OF HEARING, ONE OF WHOM  SHALL
BE APPOINTED ON THE NOMINATION OF THE TEMPORARY PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE,
ONE  OF  WHOM SHALL BE APPOINTED ON THE NOMINATION OF THE SPEAKER OF THE
ASSEMBLY, ONE OF WHOM SHALL BE APPOINTED ON THE NOMINATION OF THE MINOR-
ITY LEADER OF THE SENATE, AND ONE OF WHOM  SHALL  BE  APPOINTED  ON  THE
NOMINATION OF THE MINORITY LEADER OF THE ASSEMBLY; AND
  (III)  TWO  PERSONS  WHO  ARE  RESIDENTS OF NEW YORK STATE AND WHO ARE
REPRESENTATIVES OF THE PUBLIC AND  HAVE  A  DEMONSTRATED  EXPERTISE  AND
INTEREST  IN  THE  NEEDS OF PERSONS WHO ARE DEAF, DEAF-BLIND, OR HARD OF
HEARING.
  (B) OF THE EIGHT PERSONS APPOINTED PURSUANT TO SUBPARAGRAPHS (II)  AND
(III)  OF  PARAGRAPH (A) OF THIS SUBDIVISION, TWO SHALL SERVE FOR A TERM
OF ONE YEAR, TWO SHALL SERVE FOR A TERM OF  TWO  YEARS,  AND  TWO  SHALL
SERVE  FOR A TERM OF THREE YEARS, AS DETERMINED BY THE GOVERNOR.  SUBSE-
QUENT APPOINTMENTS UPON THE EXPIRATION OF TERM SHALL BE FOR  A  TERM  OF
THREE  YEARS  AND  SHALL  BE  FILLED  IN THE SAME MANNER AS THE ORIGINAL
APPOINTMENT.
  (C) THE EIGHT MEMBERS OF THE STATE  INTERAGENCY  COORDINATING  COUNCIL
DESCRIBED  IN  SUBPARAGRAPHS  (II)  AND  (III)  OF PARAGRAPH (A) OF THIS
SUBDIVISION SHALL RECEIVE NO COMPENSATION FOR THEIR SERVICES, BUT  SHALL
BE  ALLOWED THEIR ACTUAL AND NECESSARY EXPENSES INCURRED IN THE PERFORM-
ANCE OF THEIR DUTIES PURSUANT TO THIS SECTION, SUBJECT TO  THE  APPROVAL
OF THE JUSTICE CENTER.
  5.  SUBJECT  TO  AN  APPROPRIATION, THE STATE INTERAGENCY COORDINATING
COUNCIL IS CHARGED WITH RECOMMENDING LONG  RANGE  STRATEGIC  OBJECTIVES,
GOALS,  AND PRIORITIES FOR PROMOTING THE AVAILABILITY OF A COMPREHENSIVE
STATEWIDE PROGRAM OF COORDINATED SERVICES  FOR  PERSONS  WHO  ARE  DEAF,
DEAF-BLIND,  OR  HARD OF HEARING THAT IS CONSISTENT WITH SUBDIVISION ONE
OF THIS SECTION. IT SHALL ALSO PROVIDE ADVICE ON THE  PLANNING,  COORDI-
NATION, AND DEVELOPMENT OF NEEDED SERVICES AND TECHNOLOGY, INCLUDING THE
MANNER IN WHICH SUCH SERVICES SHALL BE FUNDED OR OTHERWISE SUPPORTED.
  S  560.  ANNUAL REPORT. THE JUSTICE CENTER SHALL MAKE AN ANNUAL REPORT
TO THE GOVERNOR AND LEGISLATURE CONCERNING ITS WORK DURING THE PRECEDING
YEAR. SUCH REPORT SHALL BE POSTED ON THE JUSTICE  CENTER'S  WEBSITE  AND
SHALL  BE  PROVIDED  TO  THE  INDEPENDENT  AGENCY DESIGNATED PURSUANT TO
SUBDIVISION (B) OF SECTION FIVE HUNDRED FIFTY-EIGHT OF THIS ARTICLE.  IT
SHALL  INCLUDE,  BUT  NOT  BE  LIMITED  TO, DATA REGARDING THE NUMBER OF
REPORTS RECEIVED BY THE VULNERABLE PERSONS' CENTRAL REGISTER, RESULTS OF
INVESTIGATIONS BY TYPES OF FACILITIES AND PROGRAMS, TYPES OF  CORRECTIVE
ACTIONS  TAKEN,  RESULTS  OF  ITS  REVIEW  OF PATTERNS AND TRENDS IN THE
REPORTING OF AND RESPONSE TO REPORTABLE INCIDENTS  AND  ITS  RECOMMENDA-
TIONS  FOR  APPROPRIATE  PREVENTIVE  AND CORRECTIVE ACTIONS, AND EFFORTS
UNDERTAKEN BY SUCH JUSTICE CENTER TO PROVIDE TRAINING PURSUANT TO SUBDI-
VISION FOUR OF SECTION FIVE HUNDRED FIFTY-THREE OF THIS ARTICLE.
  S 561. ADVISORY COUNCIL. 1. THERE SHALL BE WITHIN THE  JUSTICE  CENTER
AN  ADVISORY  COUNCIL  CONSISTING  OF NO LESS THAN FIFTEEN MEMBERS TO BE
APPOINTED BY THE GOVERNOR, WITH THE ADVICE AND CONSENT  OF  THE  SENATE.
MEMBERS  SHALL  BE  APPOINTED  ON  THE  BASIS  OF THEIR PROFESSIONAL AND
PERSONAL KNOWLEDGE IN THE CARE AND TREATMENT OF AND IN THE PROVISION  OF
SERVICES, SUPPORTS, AND ADVOCACY TO AND ON BEHALF OF SERVICE RECIPIENTS,
AS  DEFINED  IN SUBDIVISION NINE OF SECTION FOUR HUNDRED EIGHTY-EIGHT OF
THE SOCIAL SERVICES LAW, AND INDIVIDUALS  WITH  DISABILITIES,  OR  THEIR
ACTIVE INTEREST IN THE SYSTEM OF SERVICES FOR SUCH SERVICE RECIPIENTS OR

S. 7749                            17                           A. 10721

INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES. IN MAKING SUCH APPOINTMENTS, THE GOVERNOR
SHALL ENDEAVOR TO ENSURE THE OVERALL MEMBERSHIP OF THE COUNCIL ADEQUATE-
LY REFLECTS THE PROGRAMS AND SERVICES WITHIN THE JUSTICE CENTER'S JURIS-
DICTION  AND  THAT  AT  LEAST ONE-HALF OF THE MEMBERS ARE INDIVIDUALS OR
PARENTS OR RELATIVES OF INDIVIDUALS WHO ARE OR HAVE PARTICIPATED  IN  OR
ARE  OR HAVE BEEN RECIPIENTS OF PROGRAMS AND SERVICES WITHIN THE JUSTICE
CENTER'S JURISDICTION. THE COUNCIL SHALL INCLUDE BUT SHALL NOT BE LIMIT-
ED TO:
  (A) MEMBERS OF BOARDS OF VISITORS APPOINTED PURSUANT TO ARTICLES SEVEN
AND THIRTEEN OF THE MENTAL HYGIENE LAW;
  (B) CONSUMER REPRESENTATIVES,  INCLUDING  CURRENT  OR  FORMER  SERVICE
RECIPIENTS OF AN APPLICABLE FACILITY OR PROVIDER AGENCY;
  (C) PARENTS, RELATIVES OR GUARDIANS OF SUCH SERVICE RECIPIENTS;
  (D) PROVIDERS OF SERVICES TO VULNERABLE PERSONS;
  (E) DIRECTORS OF FACILITIES, COMMUNITY SERVICES OR MEMBERS OF COMMUNI-
TY SERVICES BOARDS;
  (F)  CURRENT  AND  FORMER  CONSUMERS  OF SERVICES FOR INDIVIDUALS WITH
PHYSICAL DISABILITIES;
  (G) MEMBERS OF ORGANIZATIONS THAT ADVOCATE  ON  BEHALF  OF  VULNERABLE
PERSONS AND INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES; AND
  (H)  AN EMPLOYEE OF A FACILITY OR PROVIDER AGENCY AS DEFINED IN SUBDI-
VISION FOUR OF SECTION FOUR HUNDRED EIGHTY-EIGHT OF THE SOCIAL  SERVICES
LAW.
  2.  MEMBERS  SHALL  BE  APPOINTED  FOR  TERMS OF THREE YEARS PROVIDED,
HOWEVER, THAT  OF  THE  MEMBERS  FIRST  APPOINTED,  ONE-THIRD  SHALL  BE
APPOINTED  FOR  ONE-YEAR  TERMS  AND  ONE-THIRD  SHALL  BE APPOINTED FOR
TWO-YEAR TERMS. A MEMBER MAY BE REMOVED BY THE GOVERNOR FOR  GOOD  CAUSE
AFTER  NOTICE  AND  AN OPPORTUNITY TO BE HEARD ON THE CHARGES. VACANCIES
SHALL BE FILLED IN THE SAME MANNER  AS  ORIGINAL  APPOINTMENTS  FOR  THE
REMAINDER OF ANY UNEXPIRED TERM.
  3. THE GOVERNOR SHALL DESIGNATE ONE MEMBER OF THE COUNCIL AS ITS CHAIR
TO SERVE AS SUCH AT THE PLEASURE OF THE GOVERNOR.
  4.  COUNCIL  MEMBERS  SHALL  NOT RECEIVE COMPENSATION, BUT EACH MEMBER
SHALL BE ENTITLED  TO  RECEIVE  HIS  OR  HER  REASONABLE  AND  NECESSARY
EXPENSES  INCURRED  IN  CONNECTION  WITH HIS OR HER SERVICES AS A MEMBER
WITHIN THE AMOUNTS APPROPRIATED THEREFOR.
  5. THE COUNCIL SHALL HAVE AN EXECUTIVE  SECRETARY  DESIGNATED  BY  THE
EXECUTIVE  DIRECTOR  OF  THE  JUSTICE CENTER. THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR MAY
ALSO ASSIGN SUCH OTHER EMPLOYEES OF THE JUSTICE CENTER  AS  THE  COUNCIL
MAY  FROM  TIME  TO  TIME REQUIRE TO ASSIST IT IN THE PERFORMANCE OF ITS
DUTIES.
  6. THE COUNCIL SHALL ADVISE AND ASSIST THE JUSTICE CENTER IN  DEVELOP-
ING  POLICIES, PROPOSED REGULATIONS, PLANS AND PROGRAMS TO CARRY OUT ITS
FUNCTIONS, POWERS AND DUTIES PURSUANT TO THIS SECTION. THE  COUNCIL  MAY
CONSIDER ANY MATTER RELATED TO IMPROVING THE QUALITY OF LIFE OF CITIZENS
OF  THE  STATE WHO HAVE DISABILITIES AND SHALL ADVISE THE JUSTICE CENTER
ON ANY SUCH MATTER.
  7. THE COUNCIL SHALL MEET AT LEAST FOUR  TIMES  A  YEAR.  THE  COUNCIL
SHALL  MEET AT THE REQUEST OF ITS CHAIR OR THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE
JUSTICE CENTER.
  S 562. ABUSE AND NEGLECT NOTIFICATION. 1. UPON RECEIVING A REQUEST FOR
CRIMINAL  HISTORY  INFORMATION,  PURSUANT  TO  SECTION   EIGHT   HUNDRED
FORTY-FIVE-B OF THIS CHAPTER, FOR A PROSPECTIVE EMPLOYEE OR VOLUNTEER OF
A  FACILITY  OR  PROVIDER LICENSED, OPERATED, OR CERTIFIED BY THE OFFICE
FOR PEOPLE WITH DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES,  THE  JUSTICE  CENTER  SHALL
FURNISH A SUMMARY OF ANY SUBSTANTIATED REPORTS IN ITS POSSESSION REGARD-

S. 7749                            18                           A. 10721

ING  A  FINDING OF CATEGORY TWO CONDUCT PURSUANT TO SECTION FOUR HUNDRED
NINETY-THREE OF THE SOCIAL SERVICES LAW, BY A  PROSPECTIVE  EMPLOYEE  OR
VOLUNTEER, IF ALL RELEVANT HEARINGS AND APPEALS HAVE BEEN EXHAUSTED. THE
JUSTICE  CENTER  SHALL  PROVIDE  SUCH  SUMMARY  REPORT TO THE AUTHORIZED
PERSON AS DEFINED IN PARAGRAPH (B) OF SUBDIVISION ONE OF  SECTION  EIGHT
HUNDRED  FORTY-FIVE-B OF THIS CHAPTER AND AT THAT SAME TIME FURNISH SUCH
DOCUMENTS TO THE PROSPECTIVE EMPLOYEE OR VOLUNTEER AT  THE  ADDRESS  FOR
SUCH PERSON LISTED ON THE REQUEST.
  2.  THE SUMMARY REPORT PROVIDED BY THE JUSTICE CENTER TO A PROVIDER OF
SERVICES PURSUANT TO SUBDIVISION ONE OF THIS SECTION SHALL  BE  RECEIVED
BY THE PROVIDER SUBJECT TO THE CONFIDENTIALITY PROVISIONS OF SUBDIVISION
SEVEN OF SECTION EIGHT HUNDRED FORTY-FIVE-B OF THIS CHAPTER.
  S  4. Subdivision 32 of section 1.20 of the criminal procedure law, as
amended by chapter 250 of the laws  of  1974,  is  amended  to  read  as
follows:
  32.  "District  attorney"  means  a  district  attorney,  an assistant
district attorney or a special district attorney, and,  where  appropri-
ate,  the  attorney  general,  an  assistant  attorney general, a deputy
attorney general [or], a special deputy attorney general, OR THE SPECIAL
PROSECUTOR AND INSPECTOR GENERAL  FOR  THE  PROTECTION  OF  PEOPLE  WITH
SPECIAL  NEEDS  OR  HIS  OR HER ASSISTANTS WHEN ACTING PURSUANT TO THEIR
DUTIES IN MATTERS ARISING UNDER ARTICLE TWENTY OF THE EXECUTIVE LAW.
  S 5. Subdivision 6 of section 401 of the correction law, as  added  by
chapter 1 of the laws of 2008, is amended to read as follows:
  6.  The department shall ensure that the curriculum for new correction
officers, and other new department staff  who  will  regularly  work  in
programs providing mental health treatment for inmates, shall include at
least  eight  hours  of  training about the types and symptoms of mental
illnesses, the goals of  mental  health  treatment,  the  prevention  of
suicide  and  training  in  how to effectively and safely manage inmates
with mental illness. Such training may be  provided  by  the  office  of
mental  health  or the [New York state commission on quality of care and
advocacy  for  persons  with  disabilities]  JUSTICE  CENTER   FOR   THE
PROTECTION  OF  PEOPLE  WITH SPECIAL NEEDS. All department staff who are
transferring into a  residential  mental  health  treatment  unit  shall
receive  a minimum of eight additional hours of such training, and eight
hours of annual training as long as  they  work  in  such  a  unit.  The
department shall provide additional training on these topics on an ongo-
ing basis as it deems appropriate.
  S 6. Section 401-a of the correction law, as added by chapter 1 of the
laws of 2008, is amended to read as follows:
  S 401-a.  Oversight responsibilities of the [New York state commission
on  quality  of care and advocacy for persons with disabilities] JUSTICE
CENTER FOR THE PROTECTION OF PEOPLE WITH SPECIAL NEEDS. 1. The [New York
state commission on quality of care and advocacy for persons with  disa-
bilities  ("commission")]  JUSTICE  CENTER  FOR THE PROTECTION OF PEOPLE
WITH SPECIAL NEEDS shall be responsible for monitoring  the  quality  of
mental health care provided to inmates pursuant to article forty-five of
the  mental  hygiene  law.  The  [commission]  JUSTICE CENTER shall have
direct and immediate access to  all  areas  where  state  prisoners  are
housed,  and  to  clinical  and  department records relating to inmates'
clinical conditions. The [commission] JUSTICE CENTER shall maintain  the
confidentiality of all patient-specific information.
  2.  The  [commission] JUSTICE CENTER shall monitor the quality of care
in residential mental health treatment programs and shall ensure compli-
ance with paragraphs (d) and (e)  of  subdivision  six  of  section  one

S. 7749                            19                           A. 10721

hundred  thirty-seven  of  this  chapter and section four hundred one of
this article. The [commission]  JUSTICE  CENTER  may  recommend  to  the
department  and  the  office of mental health that inmates in segregated
confinement  pursuant  to subdivision six of section one hundred thirty-
seven of this chapter be evaluated for placement in a residential mental
health treatment unit.  It may also recommend ways to further  the  goal
of  diverting  and  removing  inmates  with  serious mental illness from
segregated confinement to residential mental health treatment units. The
[commission] JUSTICE CENTER shall include in its annual  report  to  the
governor  and  the  legislature pursuant to [subdivision (g) of] section
[45.07] FIVE HUNDRED SIXTY of the  [mental  hygiene]  EXECUTIVE  law,  a
description  of  the  state's  progress  in complying with this article,
which shall be publicly available.
  3. The [commission] JUSTICE CENTER shall appoint an advisory committee
on psychiatric correctional care ("committee"), which shall be  composed
of  independent  mental  health experts and mental health advocates, and
may include  family  members  of  former  inmates  with  serious  mental
illness.  Such committee shall advise the [commission] JUSTICE CENTER on
its oversight responsibilities pursuant to  this  section  [and  article
forty-five  of  the  mental  hygiene  law].  The committee may also make
recommendations to the [commission] JUSTICE  CENTER  regarding  improve-
ments  to  prison-based  mental health care. Nothing in this subdivision
shall be deemed to authorize members of the committee to have access  to
a  correctional or mental hygiene facility or any part of such a facili-
ty. Provided, however, newly appointed members of the advisory committee
shall be provided with a tour of a segregated  confinement  unit  and  a
residential mental health treatment unit, as selected by the commission-
er.  Any such tour shall be arranged on a date and at a time selected by
the commissioner and upon such terms and conditions as  are  within  the
sole discretion of the commissioner.
  S  7.  Paragraph  (c) of subdivision 6 of section 2994-m of the public
health law, as added by chapter 8 of the laws of  2010,  is  amended  to
read as follows:
  (c)  Nothing  in this subdivision shall prohibit the [state commission
on quality of care and advocacy for persons with  disabilities]  JUSTICE
CENTER  FOR THE PROTECTION OF PEOPLE WITH SPECIAL NEEDS or any agency or
person within or under contract with  the  [commission]  JUSTICE  CENTER
which  provides  protection  and  advocacy  services  from requiring any
information, report or record from a hospital  in  accordance  with  the
provisions  of  section  [45.09] FIVE HUNDRED FIFTY-EIGHT of the [mental
hygiene] EXECUTIVE law.
  S 8. Transfer of employees. Notwithstanding  any  other  provision  of
law, rule, or regulation to the contrary, upon the transfer of any func-
tions  from  the  state  commission  on quality of care and advocacy for
persons with disabilities, the office of mental health, the  office  for
people  with  developmental  disabilities,  the office of alcoholism and
substance abuse services, the office of children and family services and
the department of health to the justice center  for  the  protection  of
people  with  special  needs  pursuant to this act, employees performing
those functions shall be transferred to such justice center pursuant  to
subdivision  two  of  section  70  of the civil service law.   Employees
transferred pursuant  to  this  section  shall  be  transferred  without
further  examination  or qualification and shall retain their respective
civil service classifications, status  and  collective  bargaining  unit
designations and collective bargaining agreements.

S. 7749                            20                           A. 10721

  S 9. Transfer of records. All books, papers, and property of the state
commission on quality of care and advocacy for persons with disabilities
shall be deemed to be in the possession of the executive director of the
justice  center  for  the  protection  of people with special needs, and
shall continue to be maintained by such justice center.
  S  10.  Continuity  of authority. For the purpose of succession of all
functions, powers, duties and obligations transferred and  assigned  to,
devolved upon and assumed by it pursuant to this act, the justice center
for the protection of people with special needs shall be deemed and held
to  constitute  the  continuation  of the state commission on quality of
care and advocacy for persons with disabilities.
  S 11. Completion of unfinished business. Any business or other  matter
undertaken  or  commenced by the state commission on quality of care and
advocacy for persons with disabilities, the office of mental health, the
office for people with developmental disabilities, the office  of  alco-
holism  and  substance abuse services, the office of children and family
services, the department of health and the  state  education  department
pertaining  to  or connected with the functions, powers, obligations and
duties hereby transferred and assigned to the  justice  center  for  the
protection  of  people  with  special needs and pending on the effective
date of this act, may be conducted and completed by such justice  center
in  the same manner and under the same terms and conditions and with the
same effect as if conducted and completed by  the  state  commission  on
quality of care and advocacy for persons with disabilities.
  S  12.  Continuation of rules and regulations. All rules, regulations,
acts, orders, determinations, and decisions of the state  commission  on
quality of care and advocacy for persons with disabilities pertaining to
the  functions and powers transferred and assigned pursuant to this act,
in force at the time of such transfer and assumption, shall continue  in
full  force  and  effect  as  rules, regulations, acts, orders, determi-
nations and decisions of the justice center for the protection of people
with special needs until duly modified or  abrogated  by  the  executive
director of such justice center.
  S 13. Terms occurring in laws, contracts and other documents. Whenever
the  state  commission  on quality of care and advocacy for persons with
disabilities, or the chairman thereof, is referred to or  designated  in
any law, contract or document pertaining to the functions, powers, obli-
gations  and  duties  hereby  transferred to and assigned to the justice
center for the protection of people with special needs,  such  reference
or  designation  shall be deemed to refer to such justice center, or the
executive director thereof, as applicable.
  S 14. Existing rights and remedies preserved.  No  existing  right  or
remedy  of  any  character  shall  be  lost, impaired or affected by any
provisions of this act.
  S 15. Pending actions and proceedings. No action or proceeding pending
at the time when this act shall take effect, brought by or  against  the
state  commission on quality of care and advocacy for persons with disa-
bilities, or the chairman thereof, shall be affected by any provision of
this act, but the same may be prosecuted or defended in the name of  the
executive  director  of  the justice center for the protection of people
with special needs.  In all such actions and proceedings, the  executive
director of such justice center, upon application to the court, shall be
substituted as a party.
  S  16.  Transfer of appropriations heretofore made. All appropriations
or reappropriations heretofore made to the state commission  on  quality
of  care  and  advocacy  for  persons with disabilities to the extent of

S. 7749                            21                           A. 10721

remaining unexpended or unencumbered balance thereof, whether  allocated
or  unallocated  and whether obligated or unobligated, are hereby trans-
ferred to and made available for use  and  expenditure  by  the  justice
center  for  the  protection of people with special needs subject to the
approval of the director of the budget for the same purposes  for  which
originally appropriated or reappropriated and shall be payable on vouch-
ers  certified  or  approved  by  the executive director of such justice
center on audit and warrant of the  comptroller.  In  addition  to  such
authority otherwise granted pursuant to law to interchange, transfer and
suballocate amounts appropriated for the office for people with develop-
mental disabilities, the office of mental health, the office of alcohol-
ism  and  substance  abuse  services,  the  department of health and the
office of children and family services, such  amounts  appropriated  for
state operations for such agencies may also be interchanged, transferred
and  suballocated  for the purpose of planning, developing and/or imple-
menting the alignment of the operations within and between such agencies
sufficient to fulfill the purposes of this act for the state fiscal year
beginning April 1, 2012.
  S 17. Transfer of assets and liabilities. All assets  and  liabilities
of the state commission on quality of care and advocacy for persons with
disabilities are hereby transferred to and assumed by the justice center
for the protection of people with special needs.
  S  18.  This  act  shall take effect June 30, 2013; provided, however,
that, effective immediately, any actions necessary for  the  implementa-
tion  of  this act on its effective date, and the addition, amendment or
repeal of any rule or regulation necessary  for  the  implementation  of
this act on its effective date, are authorized to be taken or made on or
before  such  date, and provided further that subdivision (b) of section
five hundred fifty-eight of the executive law, providing for re-designa-
tion of the protection and advocacy and client assistance  programs,  as
added  by  section three of this act, shall become effective upon filing
the governor's final notice of re-designation with the legislative  bill
drafting commission.

                                 PART B

  Section 1. Article 11 of the social services law is renumbered article
12  and  sections  484, 485 and 486 are renumbered sections 550, 551 and
552 and a new article 11 is added to read as follows:
                               ARTICLE 11
                 PROTECTION OF PEOPLE WITH SPECIAL NEEDS
SECTION 488.   DEFINITIONS.
        489.   APPLICABILITY.
        490.   INCIDENT MANAGEMENT PROGRAMS.
        491.   DUTY TO REPORT INCIDENTS.
        492.   VULNERABLE PERSONS' CENTRAL REGISTER.
        493.   ABUSE AND NEGLECT FINDINGS; CONSEQUENCES.
        494.   AMENDMENTS TO AND APPEALS  OF  SUBSTANTIATED  REPORTS  OF
                 ABUSE OR NEGLECT.
        495.   REGISTER  OF SUBSTANTIATED CATEGORY ONE CASES OF ABUSE OR
                 NEGLECT.
        496.   CONFIDENTIALITY.
        497.   IMMUNITY FROM LIABILITY.
  S 488. DEFINITIONS. AS USED IN THIS ARTICLE, THE FOLLOWING TERMS SHALL
HAVE THE FOLLOWING MEANINGS:

S. 7749                            22                           A. 10721

  1. "REPORTABLE INCIDENT" SHALL  MEAN  THE  FOLLOWING  CONDUCT  THAT  A
MANDATED  REPORTER  IS  REQUIRED  TO  REPORT  TO THE VULNERABLE PERSONS'
CENTRAL REGISTER:
  (A)  "PHYSICAL  ABUSE," WHICH SHALL MEAN CONDUCT BY A CUSTODIAN INTEN-
TIONALLY OR RECKLESSLY CAUSING, BY PHYSICAL CONTACT, PHYSICAL INJURY  OR
SERIOUS  OR  PROTRACTED  IMPAIRMENT OF THE PHYSICAL, MENTAL OR EMOTIONAL
CONDITION OF A SERVICE RECIPIENT OR CAUSING THE LIKELIHOOD OF SUCH INJU-
RY OR IMPAIRMENT. SUCH CONDUCT MAY INCLUDE BUT SHALL NOT BE LIMITED  TO:
SLAPPING,  HITTING, KICKING, BITING, CHOKING, SMOTHERING, SHOVING, DRAG-
GING, THROWING, PUNCHING, SHAKING, BURNING, CUTTING OR THE USE OF CORPO-
RAL PUNISHMENT.  PHYSICAL ABUSE SHALL NOT INCLUDE  REASONABLE  EMERGENCY
INTERVENTIONS NECESSARY TO PROTECT THE SAFETY OF ANY PERSON.
  (B)  "SEXUAL  ABUSE," WHICH SHALL MEAN ANY CONDUCT BY A CUSTODIAN THAT
SUBJECTS A PERSON RECEIVING SERVICES TO ANY OFFENSE DEFINED  IN  ARTICLE
ONE HUNDRED THIRTY OR SECTION 255.25, 255.26 OR 255.27 OF THE PENAL LAW;
OR  ANY CONDUCT OR COMMUNICATION BY SUCH CUSTODIAN THAT ALLOWS, PERMITS,
USES OR ENCOURAGES A SERVICE RECIPIENT TO ENGAGE IN ANY ACT DESCRIBED IN
ARTICLES TWO HUNDRED THIRTY OR TWO HUNDRED SIXTY-THREE OF THE PENAL LAW.
FOR PURPOSES OF THIS PARAGRAPH ONLY, A PERSON WITH A DEVELOPMENTAL DISA-
BILITY WHO IS OR WAS RECEIVING SERVICES  AND  IS  ALSO  AN  EMPLOYEE  OR
VOLUNTEER  OF  A SERVICE PROVIDER SHALL NOT BE CONSIDERED A CUSTODIAN IF
HE OR SHE HAS SEXUAL CONTACT WITH ANOTHER SERVICE  RECIPIENT  WHO  IS  A
CONSENTING ADULT WHO HAS CONSENTED TO SUCH CONTACT.
  (C)  "PSYCHOLOGICAL  ABUSE,"  WHICH  SHALL MEAN CONDUCT BY A CUSTODIAN
INTENTIONALLY OR RECKLESSLY CAUSING, BY VERBAL OR NON-VERBAL CONDUCT,  A
SUBSTANTIAL  DIMINUTION  OF  A  SERVICE RECIPIENT'S EMOTIONAL, SOCIAL OR
BEHAVIORAL DEVELOPMENT OR CONDITION, SUPPORTED BY A CLINICAL  ASSESSMENT
PERFORMED  BY A PHYSICIAN, PSYCHOLOGIST, PSYCHIATRIC NURSE PRACTITIONER,
LICENSED CLINICAL OR MASTER SOCIAL  WORKER  OR  LICENSED  MENTAL  HEALTH
COUNSELOR,  OR  CAUSING  THE LIKELIHOOD OF SUCH DIMINUTION. SUCH CONDUCT
MAY INCLUDE BUT SHALL NOT  BE  LIMITED  TO  INTIMIDATION,  THREATS,  THE
DISPLAY  OF  A WEAPON OR OTHER OBJECT THAT COULD REASONABLY BE PERCEIVED
BY A SERVICE RECIPIENT AS A MEANS FOR INFLICTION OF PAIN OR INJURY, IN A
MANNER THAT CONSTITUTES A THREAT OF PHYSICAL  PAIN  OR  INJURY,  TAUNTS,
DEROGATORY COMMENTS OR RIDICULE.
  (D) "DELIBERATE INAPPROPRIATE USE OF RESTRAINTS," WHICH SHALL MEAN THE
USE  OF A RESTRAINT WHEN THE TECHNIQUE THAT IS USED, THE AMOUNT OF FORCE
THAT IS USED OR THE SITUATION IN WHICH THE RESTRAINT IS USED  IS  DELIB-
ERATELY  INCONSISTENT  WITH  A  SERVICE RECIPIENT'S INDIVIDUAL TREATMENT
PLAN OR BEHAVIORAL INTERVENTION PLAN, GENERALLY ACCEPTED TREATMENT PRAC-
TICES AND/OR APPLICABLE FEDERAL OR STATE LAWS, REGULATIONS OR  POLICIES,
EXCEPT WHEN THE RESTRAINT IS USED AS A REASONABLE EMERGENCY INTERVENTION
TO  PREVENT  IMMINENT  RISK OF HARM TO A PERSON RECEIVING SERVICES OR TO
ANY OTHER PERSON. FOR PURPOSES OF THIS SUBDIVISION, A "RESTRAINT"  SHALL
INCLUDE  THE USE OF ANY MANUAL, PHARMACOLOGICAL OR MECHANICAL MEASURE OR
DEVICE TO IMMOBILIZE OR LIMIT THE ABILITY OF A PERSON RECEIVING SERVICES
TO FREELY MOVE HIS OR HER ARMS, LEGS OR BODY.
  (E) "USE OF AVERSIVE CONDITIONING," WHICH SHALL MEAN  THE  APPLICATION
OF  A PHYSICAL STIMULUS THAT IS INTENDED TO INDUCE PAIN OR DISCOMFORT IN
ORDER TO MODIFY OR CHANGE THE BEHAVIOR OF A PERSON RECEIVING SERVICES IN
THE ABSENCE OF A PERSON-SPECIFIC AUTHORIZATION BY THE OPERATING, LICENS-
ING OR CERTIFYING STATE AGENCY PURSUANT TO GOVERNING STATE AGENCY  REGU-
LATIONS.  AVERSIVE  CONDITIONING  MAY INCLUDE BUT IS NOT LIMITED TO, THE
USE OF PHYSICAL STIMULI SUCH AS NOXIOUS ODORS,  NOXIOUS  TASTES,  BLIND-
FOLDS, THE WITHHOLDING OF MEALS AND THE PROVISION OF SUBSTITUTE FOODS IN

S. 7749                            23                           A. 10721

AN UNPALATABLE FORM AND MOVEMENT LIMITATIONS USED AS PUNISHMENT, INCLUD-
ING BUT NOT LIMITED TO HELMETS AND MECHANICAL RESTRAINT DEVICES.
  (F) "OBSTRUCTION OF REPORTS OF REPORTABLE INCIDENTS," WHICH SHALL MEAN
CONDUCT BY A CUSTODIAN THAT IMPEDES THE DISCOVERY, REPORTING OR INVESTI-
GATION  OF  THE  TREATMENT  OF A SERVICE RECIPIENT BY FALSIFYING RECORDS
RELATED TO THE SAFETY, TREATMENT OR SUPERVISION OF A SERVICE  RECIPIENT,
ACTIVELY  PERSUADING  A  MANDATED  REPORTER  FROM  MAKING  A REPORT OF A
REPORTABLE INCIDENT TO THE STATEWIDE VULNERABLE PERSONS' CENTRAL  REGIS-
TER  WITH  THE  INTENT TO SUPPRESS THE REPORTING OF THE INVESTIGATION OF
SUCH INCIDENT, INTENTIONALLY MAKING A FALSE STATEMENT  OR  INTENTIONALLY
WITHHOLDING  MATERIAL  INFORMATION  DURING  AN INVESTIGATION INTO SUCH A
REPORT; INTENTIONAL FAILURE OF A SUPERVISOR OR MANAGER TO ACT UPON  SUCH
A REPORT IN ACCORDANCE WITH GOVERNING STATE AGENCY REGULATIONS, POLICIES
OR PROCEDURES; OR, FOR A MANDATED REPORTER WHO IS A CUSTODIAN AS DEFINED
IN SUBDIVISION TWO OF THIS SECTION, FAILING TO REPORT A REPORTABLE INCI-
DENT UPON DISCOVERY.
  (G)  "UNLAWFUL USE OR ADMINISTRATION OF A CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE," WHICH
SHALL MEAN ANY ADMINISTRATION BY A CUSTODIAN TO A SERVICE RECIPIENT  OF:
A  CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE AS DEFINED BY ARTICLE THIRTY-THREE OF THE PUBLIC
HEALTH LAW, WITHOUT A PRESCRIPTION; OR OTHER MEDICATION NOT APPROVED FOR
ANY USE BY THE FEDERAL FOOD  AND  DRUG  ADMINISTRATION.  IT  ALSO  SHALL
INCLUDE  A  CUSTODIAN  UNLAWFULLY  USING  OR  DISTRIBUTING  A CONTROLLED
SUBSTANCE AS DEFINED BY ARTICLE THIRTY-THREE OF THE PUBLIC  HEALTH  LAW,
AT THE WORKPLACE OR WHILE ON DUTY.
  (H) "NEGLECT," WHICH SHALL MEAN ANY ACTION, INACTION OR LACK OF ATTEN-
TION  THAT  BREACHES A CUSTODIAN'S DUTY AND THAT RESULTS IN OR IS LIKELY
TO RESULT IN PHYSICAL INJURY OR SERIOUS OR PROTRACTED IMPAIRMENT OF  THE
PHYSICAL,  MENTAL OR EMOTIONAL CONDITION OF A SERVICE RECIPIENT. NEGLECT
SHALL INCLUDE, BUT IS NOT LIMITED TO:   (I) FAILURE  TO  PROVIDE  PROPER
SUPERVISION,  INCLUDING  A  LACK  OF  PROPER SUPERVISION THAT RESULTS IN
CONDUCT BETWEEN PERSONS RECEIVING SERVICES THAT WOULD  CONSTITUTE  ABUSE
AS  DESCRIBED  IN  PARAGRAPHS  (A)  THROUGH  (G)  OF THIS SUBDIVISION IF
COMMITTED BY A CUSTODIAN; (II) FAILURE TO PROVIDE ADEQUATE FOOD,  CLOTH-
ING,  SHELTER,  MEDICAL, DENTAL, OPTOMETRIC OR SURGICAL CARE, CONSISTENT
WITH THE RULES OR REGULATIONS PROMULGATED BY THE STATE AGENCY OPERATING,
CERTIFYING OR SUPERVISING THE FACILITY OR PROVIDER AGENCY, PROVIDED THAT
THE FACILITY OR PROVIDER AGENCY HAS REASONABLE ACCESS TO  THE  PROVISION
OF  SUCH  SERVICES  AND  THAT  NECESSARY  CONSENTS  TO ANY SUCH MEDICAL,
DENTAL, OPTOMETRIC OR SURGICAL TREATMENT HAVE BEEN SOUGHT  AND  OBTAINED
FROM  THE APPROPRIATE INDIVIDUALS; OR (III) FAILURE TO PROVIDE ACCESS TO
EDUCATIONAL INSTRUCTION, BY A CUSTODIAN WITH A DUTY TO  ENSURE  THAT  AN
INDIVIDUAL  RECEIVES  ACCESS  TO SUCH INSTRUCTION IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE
PROVISIONS OF PART ONE OF ARTICLE SIXTY-FIVE OF THE EDUCATION LAW AND/OR
THE INDIVIDUAL'S INDIVIDUALIZED EDUCATION PROGRAM.
  (I) "SIGNIFICANT INCIDENT" SHALL MEAN AN INCIDENT, OTHER THAN AN INCI-
DENT OF ABUSE OR NEGLECT, THAT BECAUSE OF ITS SEVERITY OR THE  SENSITIV-
ITY  OF  THE  SITUATION MAY RESULT IN, OR HAS THE REASONABLY FORESEEABLE
POTENTIAL TO RESULT IN, HARM TO THE  HEALTH,  SAFETY  OR  WELFARE  OF  A
PERSON RECEIVING SERVICES AND SHALL INCLUDE BUT SHALL NOT BE LIMITED TO:
  (1)  CONDUCT  BETWEEN PERSONS RECEIVING SERVICES THAT WOULD CONSTITUTE
ABUSE AS DESCRIBED IN PARAGRAPHS (A) THROUGH (G) OF THIS SUBDIVISION  IF
COMMITTED BY A CUSTODIAN; OR
  (2)  CONDUCT  ON THE PART OF A CUSTODIAN, WHICH IS INCONSISTENT WITH A
SERVICE RECIPIENT'S INDIVIDUAL TREATMENT PLAN OR  INDIVIDUALIZED  EDUCA-
TIONAL PROGRAM, GENERALLY ACCEPTED TREATMENT PRACTICES AND/OR APPLICABLE
FEDERAL  OR  STATE  LAWS,  REGULATIONS  OR POLICIES AND WHICH IMPAIRS OR

S. 7749                            24                           A. 10721

CREATES A REASONABLY FORESEEABLE POTENTIAL TO IMPAIR THE HEALTH,  SAFETY
OR WELFARE OF A PERSON RECEIVING SERVICES, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO:
  (A) UNAUTHORIZED SECLUSION, WHICH SHALL MEAN THE PLACEMENT OF A PERSON
RECEIVING  SERVICES  IN  A  ROOM OR AREA FROM WHICH HE OR SHE CANNOT, OR
PERCEIVES THAT HE OR SHE CANNOT, LEAVE AT WILL;
  (B) UNAUTHORIZED USE OF TIME-OUT, WHICH SHALL MEAN THE USE OF A PROCE-
DURE IN WHICH A  PERSON  RECEIVING  SERVICES  IS  REMOVED  FROM  REGULAR
PROGRAMMING  AND  ISOLATED  IN  A  ROOM OR AREA FOR THE CONVENIENCE OF A
CUSTODIAN, OR AS A SUBSTITUTE FOR PROGRAMMING BUT SHALL NOT INCLUDE  THE
USE  OF A TIME-OUT AS AN EMERGENCY INTERVENTION TO PROTECT THE HEALTH OR
SAFETY OF THE INDIVIDUAL OR OTHER PERSONS;
  (C) EXCEPT AS PROVIDED FOR IN PARAGRAPH (G) OF SUBDIVISION ONE OF THIS
SECTION, THE ADMINISTRATION OF A PRESCRIBED OR OVER-THE-COUNTER  MEDICA-
TION,  WHICH  IS  INCONSISTENT WITH A PRESCRIPTION OR ORDER ISSUED FOR A
SERVICE RECIPIENT BY A LICENSED, QUALIFIED HEALTH CARE PRACTITIONER, AND
WHICH HAS AN ADVERSE EFFECT ON A SERVICE RECIPIENT.    FOR  PURPOSES  OF
THIS  PARAGRAPH, "ADVERSE EFFECT" SHALL MEAN THE UNANTICIPATED AND UNDE-
SIRABLE SIDE EFFECT FROM THE ADMINISTRATION OF A  PARTICULAR  MEDICATION
WHICH UNFAVORABLY AFFECTS THE WELL-BEING OF A SERVICE RECIPIENT;
  (D)  INAPPROPRIATE  USE  OF  RESTRAINTS, WHICH SHALL MEAN THE USE OF A
RESTRAINT WHEN THE TECHNIQUE THAT IS USED, THE AMOUNT OF FORCE  THAT  IS
USED  OR  THE  SITUATION  IN WHICH THE RESTRAINT IS USED IS INCONSISTENT
WITH A SERVICE RECIPIENT'S INDIVIDUAL PLAN, GENERALLY ACCEPTED TREATMENT
PRACTICES AND/OR APPLICABLE FEDERAL OR STATE LAWS, REGULATIONS OR  POLI-
CIES.  FOR THE PURPOSES OF THIS SUBDIVISION, A "RESTRAINT" SHALL INCLUDE
THE USE OF ANY MANUAL, PHARMACOLOGICAL OR MECHANICAL MEASURE  OR  DEVICE
TO  IMMOBILIZE  OR  LIMIT  THE ABILITY OF A PERSON RECEIVING SERVICES TO
FREELY MOVE HIS OR HER ARMS, LEGS OR BODY; OR
  (3) ANY OTHER CONDUCT IDENTIFIED IN REGULATIONS OF THE STATE OVERSIGHT
AGENCY, PURSUANT TO GUIDELINES OR STANDARDS ESTABLISHED BY THE EXECUTIVE
DIRECTOR.
  2. "CUSTODIAN" MEANS A DIRECTOR, OPERATOR, EMPLOYEE OR VOLUNTEER OF  A
FACILITY OR PROVIDER AGENCY; OR A CONSULTANT OR AN EMPLOYEE OR VOLUNTEER
OF A CORPORATION, PARTNERSHIP, ORGANIZATION OR GOVERNMENTAL ENTITY WHICH
PROVIDES  GOODS OR SERVICES TO A FACILITY OR PROVIDER AGENCY PURSUANT TO
CONTRACT OR OTHER ARRANGEMENT THAT PERMITS SUCH PERSON TO  HAVE  REGULAR
AND SUBSTANTIAL CONTACT WITH INDIVIDUALS WHO ARE CARED FOR BY THE FACIL-
ITY OR PROVIDER AGENCY.
  3.  "EXECUTIVE  DIRECTOR"  SHALL  MEAN  THE  EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE
JUSTICE CENTER FOR THE PROTECTION OF PEOPLE WITH SPECIAL NEEDS AS ESTAB-
LISHED BY ARTICLE TWENTY OF THE EXECUTIVE LAW.
  4. "FACILITY" OR "PROVIDER AGENCY" SHALL MEAN:
  (A) A FACILITY OR PROGRAM IN WHICH SERVICES ARE PROVIDED AND WHICH  IS
OPERATED,  LICENSED  OR  CERTIFIED  BY  THE OFFICE OF MENTAL HEALTH, THE
OFFICE FOR PEOPLE WITH DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES OR THE OFFICE OF ALCO-
HOLISM AND SUBSTANCE  ABUSE  SERVICES,  INCLUDING  BUT  NOT  LIMITED  TO
PSYCHIATRIC  CENTERS, INPATIENT PSYCHIATRIC UNITS OF A GENERAL HOSPITAL,
DEVELOPMENTAL CENTERS, INTERMEDIATE  CARE  FACILITIES,  COMMUNITY  RESI-
DENCES,  GROUP HOMES AND FAMILY CARE HOMES, PROVIDED, HOWEVER, THAT SUCH
TERM SHALL NOT INCLUDE A SECURE TREATMENT FACILITY AS DEFINED IN SECTION
10.03 OF THE MENTAL HYGIENE LAW, OR SERVICES  PROVIDED  IN  PROGRAMS  OR
FACILITIES  THAT ARE OPERATED BY THE OFFICE OF MENTAL HEALTH AND LOCATED
IN STATE CORRECTIONAL FACILITIES UNDER THE JURISDICTION OF  THE  DEPART-
MENT OF CORRECTIONS AND COMMUNITY SUPERVISION;
  (B) ANY PROGRAM OR FACILITY THAT IS OPERATED BY THE OFFICE OF CHILDREN
AND  FAMILY  SERVICES  FOR  JUVENILE  DELINQUENTS  OR JUVENILE OFFENDERS

S. 7749                            25                           A. 10721

PLACED IN THE CUSTODY OF THE COMMISSIONER OF SUCH OFFICE AND  ANY  RESI-
DENTIAL  PROGRAMS   OR FACILITIES LICENSED OR CERTIFIED BY THE OFFICE OF
CHILDREN AND FAMILY SERVICES, EXCLUDING FOSTER FAMILY HOMES AND RESIDEN-
TIAL PROGRAMS FOR VICTIMS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE;
  (C)  ADULT  CARE  FACILITIES, WHICH SHALL MEAN ADULT HOMES OR ENRICHED
HOUSING PROGRAMS LICENSED PURSUANT TO ARTICLE SEVEN OF THIS CHAPTER: (I)
(A) THAT HAVE A LICENSED CAPACITY OF EIGHTY OR MORE  BEDS;  AND  (B)  IN
WHICH  AT  LEAST  TWENTY-FIVE  PERCENT OF THE RESIDENTS ARE PERSONS WITH
SERIOUS MENTAL ILLNESS AS DEFINED BY SUBDIVISION  FIFTY-TWO  OF  SECTION
1.03  OF THE MENTAL HYGIENE LAW; (II) BUT NOT INCLUDING AN ADULT HOME OR
ENRICHED HOUSING PROGRAM  WHICH  IS  AUTHORIZED  TO  OPERATE  FIFTY-FIVE
PERCENT  OR  MORE  OF  ITS  TOTAL  LICENSED CAPACITY OF BEDS AS ASSISTED
LIVING PROGRAM BEDS PURSUANT TO SECTION FOUR HUNDRED SIXTY-ONE-L OF THIS
CHAPTER;
  (D) OVERNIGHT SUMMER DAY AND TRAVELING SUMMER DAY CAMPS  FOR  CHILDREN
WITH DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES AS DEFINED IN REGULATIONS PROMULGATED BY
THE COMMISSIONER OF HEALTH; OR
  (E)  THE  NEW  YORK  STATE SCHOOL FOR THE BLIND AND THE NEW YORK STATE
SCHOOL FOR THE DEAF, WHICH OPERATE PURSUANT TO ARTICLES EIGHTY-SEVEN AND
EIGHTY-EIGHT OF THE EDUCATION LAW; AN INSTITUTION FOR THE INSTRUCTION OF
THE DEAF AND THE BLIND WHICH HAS A RESIDENTIAL COMPONENT AND IS  SUBJECT
TO  THE  VISITATION OF THE COMMISSIONER OF EDUCATION PURSUANT TO ARTICLE
EIGHTY-FIVE OF THE EDUCATION LAW WITH RESPECT TO ITS DAY AND RESIDENTIAL
COMPONENTS; SPECIAL ACT SCHOOL DISTRICTS SERVING STUDENTS WITH DISABILI-
TIES; OR IN-STATE PRIVATE  SCHOOLS  WHICH  HAVE  BEEN  APPROVED  BY  THE
COMMISSIONER  OF  EDUCATION  FOR SPECIAL EDUCATION SERVICES OR PROGRAMS,
AND WHICH HAVE A RESIDENTIAL PROGRAM, INCLUDING A SCHOOL APPROVED  ON  A
CHILD-SPECIFIC  BASIS  FOR  EMERGENCY  INTERIM  PLACEMENTS  PURSUANT  TO
GOVERNING STATE REGULATIONS, WITH RESPECT TO  ITS  DAY  AND  RESIDENTIAL
COMPONENTS.
  4-A.  "STATE  OVERSIGHT AGENCY" SHALL MEAN THE STATE AGENCY THAT OPER-
ATES, LICENSES OR CERTIFIES AN APPLICABLE FACILITY OR  PROVIDER  AGENCY;
PROVIDED  HOWEVER  THAT SUCH TERM SHALL ONLY INCLUDE THE FOLLOWING ENTI-
TIES: THE OFFICE OF MENTAL HEALTH, THE OFFICE FOR PEOPLE  WITH  DEVELOP-
MENTAL  DISABILITIES,  THE  OFFICE  OF  ALCOHOLISM  AND  SUBSTANCE ABUSE
SERVICES, THE OFFICE OF CHILDREN AND FAMILY SERVICES, THE DEPARTMENT  OF
HEALTH AND THE STATE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT. "STATE OVERSIGHT AGENCY" DOES
NOT INCLUDE AGENCIES THAT ARE CERTIFICATION AGENCIES PURSUANT TO FEDERAL
LAW OR REGULATION.
  5.  "MANDATED  REPORTER"  SHALL  MEAN  A CUSTODIAN OR A HUMAN SERVICES
PROFESSIONAL, BUT SHALL NOT INCLUDE A SERVICE RECIPIENT.
  5-A. "HUMAN SERVICES PROFESSIONAL" SHALL MEAN ANY:  PHYSICIAN;  REGIS-
TERED  PHYSICIAN ASSISTANT; SURGEON; MEDICAL EXAMINER; CORONER; DENTIST;
DENTAL  HYGIENIST;  OSTEOPATH;  OPTOMETRIST;  CHIROPRACTOR;  PODIATRIST;
RESIDENT;  INTERN;  PSYCHOLOGIST;  REGISTERED  NURSE; LICENSED PRACTICAL
NURSE; NURSE PRACTITIONER; SOCIAL WORKER; EMERGENCY MEDICAL  TECHNICIAN;
LICENSED  CREATIVE  ARTS  THERAPIST; LICENSED MARRIAGE AND FAMILY THERA-
PIST; LICENSED MENTAL HEALTH COUNSELOR; LICENSED PSYCHOANALYST; LICENSED
SPEECH/LANGUAGE PATHOLOGIST OR AUDIOLOGIST; LICENSED PHYSICAL THERAPIST;
LICENSED OCCUPATIONAL  THERAPIST;  HOSPITAL  PERSONNEL  ENGAGED  IN  THE
ADMISSION,  EXAMINATION, CARE OR TREATMENT OF PERSONS; CHRISTIAN SCIENCE
PRACTITIONER; SCHOOL OFFICIAL, WHICH INCLUDES  BUT  IS  NOT  LIMITED  TO
SCHOOL  TEACHER,  SCHOOL GUIDANCE COUNSELOR, SCHOOL PSYCHOLOGIST, SCHOOL
SOCIAL WORKER,  SCHOOL  NURSE,  SCHOOL  ADMINISTRATOR  OR  OTHER  SCHOOL
PERSONNEL  REQUIRED  TO  HOLD  A  TEACHING  OR ADMINISTRATIVE LICENSE OR
CERTIFICATE; SOCIAL SERVICES WORKER; ANY OTHER CHILD CARE OR FOSTER CARE

S. 7749                            26                           A. 10721

WORKER; MENTAL HEALTH PROFESSIONAL; PERSON CREDENTIALED BY THE OFFICE OF
ALCOHOLISM AND SUBSTANCE ABUSE SERVICES; PEACE OFFICER; POLICE  OFFICER;
DISTRICT  ATTORNEY OR ASSISTANT DISTRICT ATTORNEY; INVESTIGATOR EMPLOYED
IN THE OFFICE OF A DISTRICT ATTORNEY; OR OTHER LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICIAL.
  6. "PHYSICAL INJURY" AND "IMPAIRMENT OF PHYSICAL CONDITION" SHALL MEAN
ANY  CONFIRMED HARM, HURT OR DAMAGE RESULTING IN A SIGNIFICANT WORSENING
OR DIMINUTION OF AN INDIVIDUAL'S PHYSICAL CONDITION.
  7. "DELEGATE INVESTIGATORY ENTITY" SHALL MEAN A FACILITY  OR  PROVIDER
AGENCY,  OR  ANY  OTHER  ENTITY AUTHORIZED BY THE REGULATIONS OF A STATE
OVERSIGHT AGENCY OR THE JUSTICE CENTER FOR THE PROTECTION OF PEOPLE WITH
SPECIAL NEEDS TO CONDUCT AN INVESTIGATION OF A REPORTABLE INCIDENT.
  8. "JUSTICE CENTER" SHALL MEAN THE JUSTICE CENTER FOR  THE  PROTECTION
OF PEOPLE WITH SPECIAL NEEDS.
  9.  "PERSON  RECEIVING SERVICES," OR "SERVICE RECIPIENT" SHALL MEAN AN
INDIVIDUAL WHO RESIDES OR IS AN INPATIENT IN A RESIDENTIAL  FACILITY  OR
WHO RECEIVES SERVICES FROM A FACILITY OR PROVIDER AGENCY.
  10.    "PERSONAL  REPRESENTATIVE" SHALL MEAN A PERSON AUTHORIZED UNDER
STATE, TRIBAL, MILITARY OR OTHER APPLICABLE LAW TO ACT ON  BEHALF  OF  A
VULNERABLE  PERSON IN MAKING HEALTH CARE DECISIONS OR, FOR PROGRAMS THAT
SERVE CHILDREN UNDER THE JURISDICTION OF THE STATE EDUCATION  DEPARTMENT
OR  THE  OFFICE OF CHILDREN AND FAMILY SERVICES, THE SERVICE RECIPIENT'S
PARENT, GUARDIAN OR OTHER PERSON LEGALLY RESPONSIBLE FOR SUCH PERSON.
  11. "ABUSE OR NEGLECT" SHALL MEAN THE CONDUCT DESCRIBED IN  PARAGRAPHS
(A) THROUGH (H) OF SUBDIVISION ONE OF THIS SECTION.
  12.  "SUBJECT  OF  THE  REPORT"  SHALL MEAN A CUSTODIAN, AS DEFINED IN
SUBDIVISION TWO OF THIS SECTION,  WHO  IS  REPORTED  TO  THE  VULNERABLE
PERSONS'  CENTRAL REGISTER FOR THE ALLEGED ABUSE OR NEGLECT OF A VULNER-
ABLE PERSON AS DEFINED IN SUBDIVISION ELEVEN OF THIS SECTION.
  13. "OTHER PERSONS NAMED IN THE REPORT" SHALL MEAN AND BE  LIMITED  TO
THE  FOLLOWING  PERSONS  WHO  ARE  NAMED  IN  A REPORT TO THE VULNERABLE
PERSONS' CENTRAL REGISTER OTHER THAN THE  SUBJECT  OF  THE  REPORT:  THE
SERVICE RECIPIENT WHOSE CARE AND TREATMENT IS THE CONCERN OF A REPORT TO
THE  VULNERABLE  PERSONS'  CENTRAL  REGISTER, AND THE PERSONAL REPRESEN-
TATIVE, IF ANY, AS DEFINED IN SUBDIVISION TEN OF THIS SECTION.
  14. "VULNERABLE PERSONS' CENTRAL REGISTER" SHALL  MEAN  THE  STATEWIDE
CENTRAL  REGISTER  OF REPORTABLE INCIDENTS INVOLVING VULNERABLE PERSONS,
WHICH SHALL OPERATE IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION FOUR  HUNDRED  NINETY-TWO
OF THIS ARTICLE.
  15.  "VULNERABLE  PERSON"  SHALL MEAN A PERSON WHO, DUE TO PHYSICAL OR
COGNITIVE DISABILITIES, OR  THE  NEED  FOR  SERVICES  OR  PLACEMENT,  IS
RECEIVING SERVICES FROM A FACILITY OR PROVIDER AGENCY.
  16.  "INTENTIONALLY"  AND "RECKLESSLY" SHALL HAVE THE SAME MEANINGS AS
PROVIDED IN SUBDIVISIONS ONE AND THREE OF SECTION  15.05  OF  THE  PENAL
LAW.
  S  489.  APPLICABILITY.  THE PROVISIONS OF THIS ARTICLE SHALL APPLY TO
FACILITIES AND PROVIDER AGENCIES  PROVIDED,  HOWEVER,  NOTHING  IN  THIS
ARTICLE  SHALL  BE  DEEMED TO RELIEVE ANY FACILITY OR PROVIDER AGENCY OR
CUSTODIAN THEREOF COVERED BY THIS ARTICLE OF ITS OR THEIR OBLIGATIONS TO
COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL LAWS  OR  REGULATIONS  TO  WHICH
THAT  FACILITY, PROVIDER AGENCY OR CUSTODIAN THEREOF IS SUBJECT, INCLUD-
ING ANY REQUIREMENTS THAT ARE A CONDITION OF FEDERAL  FINANCIAL  PARTIC-
IPATION  IN  MEDICAL  ASSISTANCE  PAYMENTS.  TO  THE EXTENT THAT FEDERAL
REQUIREMENTS CONFLICT WITH ANY OF THE PROVISIONS IN  THIS  ARTICLE,  THE
FEDERAL  REQUIREMENTS SHALL SUPERSEDE THE CONFLICTING PROVISIONS IN THIS
ARTICLE WITH RESPECT TO ANY SUCH FACILITY OR PROVIDER AGENCY.

S. 7749                            27                           A. 10721

  S 490. INCIDENT MANAGEMENT PROGRAMS. 1. EACH STATE  OVERSIGHT  AGENCY,
AS DEFINED IN THIS ARTICLE, SHALL PROMULGATE REGULATIONS APPROVED BY THE
JUSTICE CENTER, THAT CONTAIN PROCEDURES AND REQUIREMENTS CONSISTENT WITH
GUIDELINES AND STANDARDS DEVELOPED BY THE JUSTICE CENTER, ADDRESSING THE
FOLLOWING  ISSUES  RELATING TO AN INCIDENT MANAGEMENT PROGRAM; PROVIDED,
HOWEVER, THAT REGULATIONS OF THE STATE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT NEED NOT  BE
APPROVED  BY  THE JUSTICE CENTER, BUT SHALL BE DEVELOPED IN CONSULTATION
WITH THE JUSTICE CENTER:
  (A) ALL REPORTABLE INCIDENTS ARE IDENTIFIED AND REPORTED IN  A  TIMELY
MANNER IN ACCORDANCE WITH THIS ARTICLE;
  (B) ALL REPORTABLE INCIDENTS ARE PROMPTLY INVESTIGATED;
  (C) INDIVIDUAL REPORTABLE INCIDENTS, AND INCIDENT PATTERNS AND TRENDS,
ARE  REVIEWED  TO  IDENTIFY  AND  IMPLEMENT  PREVENTIVE  AND  CORRECTIVE
ACTIONS, WHICH MAY INCLUDE, BUT SHALL NOT BE LIMITED TO, STAFF  RETRAIN-
ING  OR  ANY APPROPRIATE DISCIPLINARY ACTION ALLOWED BY LAW OR CONTRACT,
AS WELL AS OPPORTUNITIES FOR IMPROVEMENT;
  (D) PATTERNS AND TRENDS IN THE REPORTING AND RESPONSE  TO  ALLEGATIONS
OF REPORTABLE INCIDENTS ARE REVIEWED AND PLANS OF IMPROVEMENT ARE TIMELY
DEVELOPED BASED ON SUCH REVIEWS;
  (E)  INFORMATION  REGARDING  INDIVIDUAL REPORTABLE INCIDENTS, INCIDENT
PATTERNS AND TRENDS, AND  PATTERNS  AND  TRENDS  IN  THE  REPORTING  AND
RESPONSE  TO  REPORTABLE INCIDENTS IS SHARED, CONSISTENT WITH APPLICABLE
LAW, WITH THE JUSTICE CENTER, IN THE FORM AND  MANNER  REQUIRED  BY  THE
JUSTICE  CENTER  AND,  FOR  FACILITIES OR PROVIDER AGENCIES THAT ARE NOT
STATE OPERATED, WITH THE APPLICABLE STATE OVERSIGHT AGENCY  WHICH  SHALL
PROVIDE SUCH INFORMATION TO THE JUSTICE CENTER; AND
  (F)  INCIDENT  REVIEW  COMMITTEES  ARE ESTABLISHED; PROVIDED, HOWEVER,
THAT THE REGULATIONS MAY AUTHORIZE AN EXEMPTION FROM  THIS  REQUIREMENT,
WHEN  APPROPRIATE,  BASED ON THE SIZE OF THE FACILITY OR PROVIDER AGENCY
OR OTHER RELEVANT FACTORS. SUCH COMMITTEES SHALL BE COMPOSED OF  MEMBERS
OF  THE  GOVERNING  BODY  OF  THE  FACILITY OR PROVIDER AGENCY AND OTHER
PERSONS IDENTIFIED BY THE DIRECTOR OF THE FACILITY OR  PROVIDER  AGENCY,
INCLUDING  SOME MEMBERS OF THE FOLLOWING: DIRECT SUPPORT STAFF, LICENSED
HEALTH CARE PRACTITIONERS, SERVICE  RECIPIENTS  AND  REPRESENTATIVES  OF
FAMILY,  CONSUMER AND OTHER ADVOCACY ORGANIZATIONS, BUT NOT THE DIRECTOR
OF THE FACILITY OR PROVIDER AGENCY. SUCH COMMITTEE SHALL MEET  REGULARLY
TO:   (I) REVIEW THE TIMELINESS, THOROUGHNESS AND APPROPRIATENESS OF THE
FACILITY OR PROVIDER AGENCY'S RESPONSES TO  REPORTABLE  INCIDENTS;  (II)
RECOMMEND  ADDITIONAL  OPPORTUNITIES  FOR IMPROVEMENT TO THE DIRECTOR OF
THE FACILITY OR PROVIDER AGENCY, IF APPROPRIATE; (III)  REVIEW  INCIDENT
TRENDS  AND  PATTERNS  CONCERNING  REPORTABLE  INCIDENTS;  AND (IV) MAKE
RECOMMENDATIONS TO THE DIRECTOR OF THE FACILITY OR  PROVIDER  AGENCY  TO
ASSIST  IN REDUCING REPORTABLE INCIDENTS. MEMBERS OF THE COMMITTEE SHALL
BE TRAINED IN CONFIDENTIALITY LAWS AND  REGULATIONS,  AND  SHALL  COMPLY
WITH SECTION SEVENTY-FOUR OF THE PUBLIC OFFICERS LAW.
  2.  NOTWITHSTANDING  ANY  OTHER  PROVISION  OF  LAW,  EXCEPT AS MAY BE
PROVIDED BY SECTION 33.25 OF THE MENTAL HYGIENE LAW, RECORDS, REPORTS OR
OTHER INFORMATION MAINTAINED BY  THE  JUSTICE  CENTER,  STATE  OVERSIGHT
AGENCIES,  DELEGATE  INVESTIGATORY ENTITIES, AND FACILITIES AND PROVIDER
AGENCIES REGARDING THE DELIBERATIONS OF  AN  INCIDENT  REVIEW  COMMITTEE
SHALL  BE  CONFIDENTIAL,  PROVIDED THAT NOTHING IN THIS ARTICLE SHALL BE
DEEMED TO DIMINISH OR OTHERWISE DEROGATE THE LEGAL PRIVILEGE AFFORDED TO
PROCEEDINGS, RECORDS, REPORTS OR OTHER INFORMATION RELATING TO A QUALITY
ASSURANCE FUNCTION, INCLUDING THE INVESTIGATION OF AN INCIDENT  REPORTED
PURSUANT  TO  SECTION  29.29  OF  THE MENTAL HYGIENE LAW, AS PROVIDED IN
SECTION SIXTY-FIVE HUNDRED TWENTY-SEVEN  OF  THE  EDUCATION  LAW.    FOR

S. 7749                            28                           A. 10721

PURPOSES  OF THIS SECTION, A QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTION IS A PROCESS FOR
SYSTEMATICALLY MONITORING AND EVALUATING VARIOUS ASPECTS OF  A  PROGRAM,
SERVICE OR FACILITY TO ENSURE THAT STANDARDS OF CARE ARE BEING MET.
  3.  NO  MEMBER  OF  AN  INCIDENT REVIEW COMMITTEE PERFORMING A QUALITY
ASSURANCE FUNCTION SHALL BE PERMITTED OR REQUIRED TO TESTIFY IN A  JUDI-
CIAL  OR  ADMINISTRATIVE  PROCEEDING  WITH  RESPECT TO QUALITY ASSURANCE
FINDINGS,  RECOMMENDATIONS,  EVALUATIONS,  OPINIONS  OR  ACTIONS  TAKEN,
EXCEPT  THAT  THIS  PROVISION IS NOT INTENDED TO RELIEVE ANY STATE OVER-
SIGHT AGENCY, DELEGATE INVESTIGATORY ENTITY, FACILITY OR PROVIDER  AGEN-
CY,  OR  AN  AGENT  THEREOF,  FROM LIABILITY ARISING FROM TREATMENT OF A
SERVICE RECIPIENT.
  4. THERE SHALL BE NO MONETARY LIABILITY ON THE PART OF, AND  NO  CAUSE
OF  ACTION  FOR  DAMAGES  SHALL  ARISE AGAINST, ANY PERSON ON ACCOUNT OF
PARTICIPATING IN GOOD FAITH AND WITH REASONABLE  CARE  IN  THE  COMMUNI-
CATION  OF  INFORMATION  IN THE POSSESSION OF SUCH PERSON TO AN INCIDENT
REVIEW COMMITTEE, OR ON ACCOUNT  OF  ANY  RECOMMENDATION  OR  EVALUATION
REGARDING THE CONDUCT OR PRACTICES OF ANY CUSTODIAN THAT IS MADE IN GOOD
FAITH AND WITH REASONABLE CARE.
  5.  WITH RESPECT TO THE IMPLEMENTATION OF INCIDENT MANAGEMENT PLANS IN
RESIDENTIAL SCHOOLS OR FACILITIES LOCATED OUTSIDE  OF  NEW  YORK  STATE,
EACH  STATE OVERSIGHT AGENCY SHALL REQUIRE THAT: (A) THE JUSTICE CENTER,
THE APPLICABLE STATE OVERSIGHT AGENCY  AND  ANY  LOCAL  SOCIAL  SERVICES
DISTRICT AND/OR LOCAL EDUCATIONAL AGENCY PLACING AN INDIVIDUAL WITH SUCH
FACILITY  OR SCHOOL OR STATE AGENCY FUNDING THE PLACEMENT OF AN INDIVID-
UAL OR STUDENT BE NOTIFIED IMMEDIATELY OF ANY  ALLEGATION  OF  ABUSE  OR
NEGLECT  INVOLVING  THAT  INDIVIDUAL OR STUDENT; (B) AN INVESTIGATION BE
CONDUCTED BY THE JUSTICE CENTER, OR WHERE THAT IS NOT PRACTICABLE, BY  A
STATE  AGENCY  OR  OTHER  ENTITY  AUTHORIZED  OR REQUIRED TO INVESTIGATE
COMPLAINTS OF ABUSE OR NEGLECT UNDER THE LAWS OF THE STATE IN WHICH  THE
FACILITY  OR  SCHOOL  IS  LOCATED; AND (C) THE FINDINGS OF SUCH INVESTI-
GATION BE FORWARDED TO THE JUSTICE CENTER AND  EACH  PLACING  ENTITY  OR
FUNDING  AGENCY IN NEW YORK STATE WITHIN NINETY DAYS.  FAILURE TO COMPLY
WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF THIS SECTION SHALL BE GROUNDS FOR REVOCATION OR
SUSPENSION OF THE LICENSE OR APPROVAL OF THE OUT OF  STATE  FACILITY  OR
SCHOOL.
  6. RECORDS OF FACILITIES OR PROVIDER AGENCIES NOT OTHERWISE SUBJECT TO
ARTICLE  SIX  OF  THE  PUBLIC  OFFICERS  LAW SHALL BE MADE AVAILABLE FOR
PUBLIC INSPECTION AND COPYING, WHEN SUCH RECORDS  RELATE  TO  ABUSE  AND
NEGLECT  OF  VULNERABLE  PERSONS,  TO THE SAME EXTENT THAT THOSE RECORDS
WOULD BE AVAILABLE FROM A STATE AGENCY,  AS  DEFINED  IN  SUCH  ARTICLE.
REQUESTS  FOR  SUCH  RECORDS  SHALL  BE  MADE  IN WRITING TO THE JUSTICE
CENTER. THE JUSTICE CENTER MAY DENY ACCESS TO RECORDS OF SUCH FACILITIES
OR PROVIDER AGENCIES, OR  PORTIONS  THEREOF,  THAT  THE  JUSTICE  CENTER
DETERMINES WOULD BE EXEMPT FROM DISCLOSURE BY A STATE AGENCY PURSUANT TO
SUCH ARTICLE. THE REQUESTING PARTY MAY APPEAL A DENIAL OF ACCESS TO SUCH
RECORDS  TO  THE  EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE JUSTICE CENTER. A REQUESTING
PARTY DENIED ACCESS TO A RECORD IN SUCH APPEAL DETERMINATION MAY BRING A
PROCEEDING FOR REVIEW OF SUCH DENIAL PURSUANT TO  ARTICLE  SEVENTY-EIGHT
OF  THE  CIVIL  PRACTICE  LAW  AND  RULES. THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE
JUSTICE  CENTER  SHALL  PROMULGATE  REGULATIONS,  CONSISTENT  WITH   THE
PROVISIONS  OF  ARTICLE SIX OF THE PUBLIC OFFICERS LAW PROVIDING FOR THE
PROMPT RESPONSE  TO  SUCH  REQUESTS.  FACILITIES  OR  PROVIDER  AGENCIES
COVERED  BY THIS SUBDIVISION SHALL COOPERATE WITH THE JUSTICE CENTER AND
PROVIDE ANY RECORDS THAT THE JUSTICE CENTER DEEMS SUBJECT TO DISCLOSURE.
  S 491. DUTY TO REPORT INCIDENTS.   1.  (A)  MANDATED  REPORTERS  SHALL
REPORT  ALLEGATIONS  OF  REPORTABLE INCIDENTS TO THE VULNERABLE PERSONS'

S. 7749                            29                           A. 10721

CENTRAL REGISTER AS ESTABLISHED BY SECTION FOUR  HUNDRED  NINETY-TWO  OF
THIS ARTICLE AND IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE REQUIREMENTS SET FORTH THEREIN.
  (B)  ALLEGATIONS OF REPORTABLE INCIDENTS SHALL BE REPORTED IMMEDIATELY
TO THE VULNERABLE PERSONS' CENTRAL REGISTER UPON DISCOVERY. FOR PURPOSES
OF THIS ARTICLE, "DISCOVERY" OCCURS WHEN THE MANDATED REPORTER WITNESSES
A SUSPECTED REPORTABLE INCIDENT OR WHEN ANOTHER  PERSON,  INCLUDING  THE
VULNERABLE  PERSON,  COMES  BEFORE THE MANDATED REPORTER IN THE MANDATED
REPORTER'S PROFESSIONAL OR OFFICIAL CAPACITY AND PROVIDES  THE  MANDATED
REPORTER WITH REASONABLE CAUSE TO SUSPECT THAT THE VULNERABLE PERSON HAS
BEEN SUBJECTED TO A REPORTABLE INCIDENT.  A REPORT TO THE REGISTER SHALL
INCLUDE THE NAME, TITLE AND CONTACT INFORMATION OF EVERY PERSON KNOWN TO
THE  MANDATED  REPORTER  TO  HAVE  THE  SAME INFORMATION AS THE MANDATED
REPORTER CONCERNING THE REPORTABLE INCIDENT.  NOTHING IN  THIS  SUBDIVI-
SION  SHALL BE CONSTRUED TO PROHIBIT A MANDATED REPORTER FROM CONTACTING
OR REPORTING TO LAW ENFORCEMENT OR EMERGENCY SERVICES  BEFORE  OR  AFTER
REPORTING TO THE VULNERABLE PERSONS' CENTRAL REGISTER.
  (C) THE SUBSTANCE OR CONTENT OF ANY PSYCHOLOGICAL, PSYCHIATRIC, THERA-
PEUTIC,  CLINICAL  OR  MEDICAL REPORTS, EVALUATIONS OR LIKE MATERIALS OR
INFORMATION PERTAINING TO THE TREATMENT OF A  PATIENT  OR  CLIENT  OF  A
MANDATORY  REPORTER WHO REPORTS A REPORTABLE INCIDENT OF SUCH PATIENT OR
CLIENT PURSUANT TO THIS ARTICLE, MUST  BE  PROVIDED  BY  SUCH  MANDATORY
REPORTER UPON REQUEST OF THE JUSTICE CENTER FOR THE PROTECTION OF PEOPLE
WITH  SPECIAL  NEEDS  IF  SUCH RECORDS ARE ESSENTIAL FOR A FULL INVESTI-
GATION OF SUCH  ALLEGATION,  NOTWITHSTANDING  ANY  APPLICABLE  PRIVILEGE
WHICH  WOULD  OTHERWISE BAR THE DISCLOSURE OF SUCH MATERIALS AND RECORDS
PURSUANT TO ARTICLE FORTY-FIVE OF THE CIVIL PRACTICE LAW  AND  RULES  OR
OTHER  PROVISION  OF  LAW  EXCEPT  APPLICABLE  FEDERAL LAW GOVERNING THE
DISCLOSURE OF PATIENT AND RELATED MEDICAL RECORDS.
  2. ANY PERSON OR OFFICIAL REQUIRED TO REPORT ALLEGATIONS OF REPORTABLE
INCIDENTS PURSUANT TO THIS SECTION MAY TAKE OR CAUSE TO BE  TAKEN  COLOR
PHOTOGRAPHS  OF  VISIBLE  TRAUMA  AND  THE FACE OF THE VULNERABLE PERSON
NAMED IN THE REPORT AND UPON THE  CONSENT  OF  A  PERSON  AUTHORIZED  TO
CONSENT  TO  MEDICAL CARE FOR THE VULNERABLE PERSON, SHALL, IF MEDICALLY
INDICATED, CAUSE TO BE  PERFORMED  A  RADIOLOGICAL  EXAMINATION  OF  THE
VULNERABLE  PERSON.  ANY  PHOTOGRAPHS OR RADIOLOGICAL EXAMINATIONS TAKEN
SHALL BE PROVIDED TO THE JUSTICE CENTER FOR USE ONLY FOR THE PURPOSES OF
AN INVESTIGATION OF A REPORTABLE INCIDENT.
  3. (A) ANY HUMAN SERVICES PROFESSIONAL REQUIRED  BY  THIS  ARTICLE  TO
REPORT  A  CASE OF SUSPECTED ABUSE OR NEGLECT TO THE VULNERABLE PERSONS'
CENTRAL REGISTER WHO KNOWINGLY AND WILLFULLY FAILS TO  DO  SO  SHALL  BE
GUILTY OF A CLASS A MISDEMEANOR.
  (B)  A MANDATED REPORTER WHO KNOWINGLY AND WILLFULLY FAILS TO REPORT A
CASE OF SUSPECTED ABUSE OR NEGLECT TO THE  VULNERABLE  PERSONS'  CENTRAL
REGISTER  MAY  BE  SUBJECT  TO  TERMINATION,  SUBJECT  TO ANY APPLICABLE
COLLECTIVE BARGAINING AGREEMENT.   ANY PERSON OR  OFFICIAL  REQUIRED  BY
THIS  ARTICLE  TO  REPORT  A  CASE  OF SUSPECTED ABUSE OR NEGLECT TO THE
VULNERABLE PERSONS' CENTRAL REGISTER WHO KNOWINGLY AND  WILLFULLY  FAILS
TO  DO  SO SHALL BE CIVILLY LIABLE FOR THE DAMAGES PROXIMATELY CAUSED BY
SUCH FAILURE.
  4. A MEDICAL OR OTHER PUBLIC OR  PRIVATE  INSTITUTION,  STATE  AGENCY,
SCHOOL,  FACILITY  OR  PROVIDER  AGENCY  SHALL  NOT TAKE ANY RETALIATORY
PERSONNEL ACTION, AS SUCH TERM IS DEFINED IN PARAGRAPH (E)  OF  SUBDIVI-
SION  ONE  OF  SECTION  SEVEN HUNDRED FORTY OF THE LABOR LAW, AGAINST AN
EMPLOYEE OR AGENT BECAUSE SUCH EMPLOYEE OR AGENT BELIEVES THAT HE OR SHE
HAS REASONABLE CAUSE TO  SUSPECT  THAT  A  VULNERABLE  PERSON  HAS  BEEN
SUBJECTED  TO A REPORTABLE INCIDENT AND THAT EMPLOYEE OR AGENT THEREFORE

S. 7749                            30                           A. 10721

MAKES A REPORT IN ACCORDANCE WITH THIS SECTION.  A  COURT  OF  COMPETENT
JURISDICTION  MAY  GRANT  INJUNCTIVE  RELIEF TO ANY PERSON DETERMINED TO
HAVE BEEN SUBJECTED TO SUCH RETALIATION.
  S  492. VULNERABLE PERSONS' CENTRAL REGISTER. 1. THERE SHALL BE ESTAB-
LISHED IN THE JUSTICE CENTER A  STATEWIDE  VULNERABLE  PERSONS'  CENTRAL
REGISTER.  THE  REGISTER  SHALL:   (A) RECEIVE REPORTS OF ALLEGATIONS OF
REPORTABLE INCIDENTS INVOLVING PERSONS RECEIVING SERVICES IN  FACILITIES
OR PROVIDER AGENCIES SUBJECT TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF THIS ARTICLE; (B) AS
WARRANTED,  REFER REPORTS ALLEGING CRIMES TO APPROPRIATE LAW ENFORCEMENT
AUTHORITIES; (C) NOTIFY APPROPRIATE PERSONS AND  OFFICIALS  OF  RECEIVED
AND  ACCEPTED  REPORTS;  AND (D) MAINTAIN AN ELECTRONIC DATABASE OF EACH
REPORT AND THE FINDING ASSOCIATED WITH EACH REPORT.  IN ACCORDANCE  WITH
THIS  SECTION,  THE  EXECUTIVE  DIRECTOR  SHALL  ESTABLISH STANDARDS AND
PROCEDURES FOR THE OPERATION OF THE VULNERABLE PERSONS'  CENTRAL  REGIS-
TER.
  2.  (A)  THE  VULNERABLE PERSONS' CENTRAL REGISTER SHALL BE STAFFED BY
PERSONS WITH AT LEAST A BACCALAUREATE OR EQUIVALENT COLLEGE DEGREE IN  A
RELEVANT  FIELD  OF  STUDY  OR  AT  LEAST TWO YEARS OF EXPERIENCE IN THE
DIRECT PROVISION OF SERVICES, ADULT OR CHILD  PROTECTIVE  SERVICES,  AND
ANY  OTHER  QUALIFICATIONS  IDENTIFIED BY THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR. DIRECT
SERVICE PROVISION SHALL INCLUDE  THE  CARE,  INVESTIGATION,  ASSESSMENT,
TREATMENT,  OR  CASE  PLANNING  FOR  PERSONS  IN  FACILITIES OR PROGRAMS
COVERED BY THIS ARTICLE OR EQUIVALENT FACILITIES OR PROGRAMS.    VULNER-
ABLE PERSONS' CENTRAL REGISTER STAFF ALSO SHALL HAVE ACCESS TO APPROPRI-
ATE  LAW  ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS OR OTHERS WITH LAW ENFORCEMENT EXPERIENCE
WHO SHALL ASSIST IN SCREENING REPORTS THAT  APPEAR  TO  ALLEGE  CRIMINAL
OFFENSES  AND  HELP  REFER  REPORTS,  AS  WARRANTED,  TO APPROPRIATE LAW
ENFORCEMENT AUTHORITIES.
  (B) THE VULNERABLE PERSONS' CENTRAL REGISTER SHALL RECEIVE REPORTS  OF
ALLEGATIONS  OF  REPORTABLE  INCIDENTS  TWENTY-FOUR HOURS PER DAY, SEVEN
DAYS A WEEK. MANDATED REPORTERS SHALL MAKE SUCH  REPORTS  IN  ACCORDANCE
WITH SECTION FOUR HUNDRED NINETY-ONE OF THIS ARTICLE; PROVIDED, HOWEVER,
ANY  PERSON  WHO HAS REASONABLE CAUSE TO SUSPECT THAT A PERSON RECEIVING
SERVICES HAS BEEN SUBJECTED TO A REPORTABLE INCIDENT  MAY  MAKE  SUCH  A
REPORT. IN NO EVENT SHALL A REPORT BY A MANDATED REPORTER TO THE VULNER-
ABLE  PERSONS'  CENTRAL  REGISTER ELIMINATE THE OBLIGATION OF A MANDATED
REPORTER TO REPORT INCIDENTS IN ACCORDANCE  WITH  THE  APPLICABLE  LAWS,
REGULATIONS AND POLICY OF THE APPLICABLE STATE OVERSIGHT AGENCY.
  (C) REPORTS OF ALLEGATIONS OF REPORTABLE INCIDENTS SHALL BE SUBMITTED,
BY A STATEWIDE, TOLL-FREE TELEPHONE NUMBER (A "HOTLINE") OR BY ELECTRON-
IC  TRANSMISSION,  IN  A MANNER AND ON FORMS PRESCRIBED BY THE EXECUTIVE
DIRECTOR.  THE INFORMATION REQUIRED ON THE REPORTING FORM SHALL  INCLUDE
BUT IS NOT LIMITED TO: THE NAME AND CONTACT INFORMATION OF THE PERSON OR
PERSONS MAKING THE REPORT, IF AVAILABLE, AND, IF THE REPORT IS MADE BY A
CUSTODIAN,  ANY  OTHER STAFF WHO HAVE THE SAME INFORMATION; THE NAME AND
ADDRESS OF THE FACILITY OR PROVIDER AGENCY;  THE  DATE,  TIME,  SPECIFIC
LOCATION  AND DESCRIPTION OF THE INCIDENT; THE NAME AND CONTACT INFORMA-
TION OF THE SUBJECT OF THE REPORTABLE INCIDENT, IF KNOWN;  THE  NAME  OF
THE  VULNERABLE  PERSON  ALLEGED  TO HAVE BEEN SUBJECTED TO A REPORTABLE
INCIDENT; THE NAMES  OF  PERSONAL  REPRESENTATIVES  FOR  THE  VULNERABLE
PERSON  WHO  IS ALLEGED TO HAVE BEEN SUBJECTED TO A REPORTABLE INCIDENT,
IF KNOWN; AND ANY OTHER INFORMATION OR DOCUMENTATION THAT THE  EXECUTIVE
DIRECTOR  BELIEVES  MAY  BE  HELPFUL. THE INABILITY OF A PERSON MAKING A
REPORT TO IDENTIFY A SUBJECT SHALL, IN NO CIRCUMSTANCE, CONSTITUTE CAUSE
TO REJECT SUCH ALLEGATION FOR INVESTIGATION OR TO  FAIL  TO  REFER  SUCH

S. 7749                            31                           A. 10721

ALLEGATION  FOR  CORRECTIVE ACTION.   THE HOTLINE SHALL ACCEPT ANONYMOUS
CALLS.
  3.  (A) WHEN ANY ALLEGATION THAT COULD REASONABLY CONSTITUTE A REPORT-
ABLE INCIDENT IS RECEIVED BY THE REGISTER, THE REGISTER SHALL ACCEPT AND
IMMEDIATELY TRANSMIT NOTICE OF THE REPORT ORALLY  OR  ELECTRONICALLY  TO
THE  APPROPRIATE  STATE  OVERSIGHT  AGENCY  AND,  AS APPROPRIATE, TO THE
DIRECTOR OR OPERATOR OF THAT FACILITY OR PROVIDER AGENCY.
  (B) WHENEVER A  TELEPHONE  CALL  OR  ELECTRONIC  TRANSMISSION  TO  THE
VULNERABLE  PERSONS'  CENTRAL  REGISTER  ALLEGES AN ACT OR CIRCUMSTANCES
THAT MAY CONSTITUTE A CRIMINAL OFFENSE  OR  AN  IMMEDIATE  THREAT  TO  A
VULNERABLE  PERSON'S  HEALTH,  SAFETY  OR  WELFARE,  THE  REGISTER SHALL
CONVEY, BY THE MOST EXPEDIENT MEANS AVAILABLE, THE INFORMATION CONTAINED
IN SUCH CALL OR TRANSMISSION TO THE APPROPRIATE LAW  ENFORCEMENT  AGENCY
OR DISTRICT ATTORNEY AND, TO THE EXTENT NECESSARY, THE APPROPRIATE EMER-
GENCY RESPONDER, AND THE STATE OVERSIGHT AGENCY.
  (C)  THE JUSTICE CENTER IS RESPONSIBLE FOR COMMENCING AN INVESTIGATION
OF ALL ALLEGATIONS OF REPORTABLE INCIDENTS  THAT  ARE  ACCEPTED  BY  THE
VULNERABLE  PERSONS' CENTRAL REGISTER.  WITH RESPECT TO SUCH AN INVESTI-
GATION, THE JUSTICE CENTER SHALL:
  (I) UPON ACCEPTANCE OF A  REPORT  OF  A  REPORTABLE  INCIDENT  BY  THE
VULNERABLE  PERSONS'  CENTRAL REGISTER, PROMPTLY COMMENCE AN APPROPRIATE
INVESTIGATION;
  (II) TAKE ALL APPROPRIATE MEASURES TO PROTECT THE LIFE AND  HEALTH  OF
THE PERSON WHO IS THE ALLEGED VICTIM OF A REPORTABLE INCIDENT, WHICH MAY
INCLUDE  WORKING WITH THE STATE OVERSIGHT AGENCY TO TAKE IMMEDIATE STEPS
TO REMOVE THE VULNERABLE PERSON FROM HIS  OR  HER  CURRENT  FACILITY  OR
PROGRAM  OR  TO  REMOVE OR SUSPEND A SUBJECT FROM A FACILITY OR PROGRAM,
SUBJECT TO  ANY  APPLICABLE  COLLECTIVE  BARGAINING  AGREEMENT,  IF  THE
JUSTICE CENTER HAS REASONABLE CAUSE TO BELIEVE THAT THE CIRCUMSTANCES OR
CONDITION  OF THE VULNERABLE PERSON ARE SUCH THAT CONTINUING THE VULNER-
ABLE PERSON IN HIS OR HER PLACE OF RESIDENCE OR PROGRAM, OR THAT CONTIN-
UING SUCH SUBJECT IN HIS OR HER CURRENT FACILITY OR PROGRAM, PRESENTS AN
IMMINENT DANGER TO THE VULNERABLE PERSON'S LIFE OR HEALTH;
  (III) DETERMINE WHETHER THE SUBJECT OF THE  REPORT  IS  CURRENTLY  THE
SUBJECT  OF  AN  OPEN OR SUBSTANTIATED REPORT IN THE VULNERABLE PERSONS'
CENTRAL REGISTER;
  (IV) CONTACT  THE  STATEWIDE  CENTRAL  REGISTER  OF  CHILD  ABUSE  AND
MALTREATMENT  TO DETERMINE WHETHER THE SUBJECT OF THE REPORT HAS BEEN OR
IS CURRENTLY THE SUBJECT OF AN INDICATED CHILD  ABUSE  AND  MALTREATMENT
REPORT  ON  FILE  WITH THE STATEWIDE CENTRAL REGISTER OF CHILD ABUSE AND
MALTREATMENT;
  (V) IF IT IS DISCOVERED THAT THE SUBJECT OF A REPORT HAS ONE  OR  MORE
SUBSTANTIATED  REPORTS OF ABUSE OR NEGLECT OR INDICATED REPORTS OF CHILD
ABUSE OR MALTREATMENT IN THE STATEWIDE CENTRAL REGISTER OF  CHILD  ABUSE
AND  MALTREATMENT  AND  AN  INVESTIGATION  WAS  OR  INVESTIGATIONS  WERE
CONDUCTED BY A DIFFERENT STATE  AGENCY,  OR  A  LOCAL  CHILD  PROTECTIVE
SERVICE,  CONTACT  ALL  KNOWN AGENCIES OR SERVICES WHO INVESTIGATED SUCH
PREVIOUS REPORT OR REPORTS TO OBTAIN  INFORMATION  ON  SUCH  REPORTS  IN
ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION FOUR HUNDRED NINETY-SIX OF THIS ARTICLE;
  (VI)  NOTIFY THE PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVE OF THE PERSON ALLEGED TO HAVE
BEEN ABUSED OR NEGLECTED AND, EXCEPT IN THE CASE OF A CRIMINAL  INVESTI-
GATION,  OR  IF THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OR HIS OR HER DESIGNEE DETERMINES
THAT DOING SO WOULD INTERFERE WITH ANY ONGOING INVESTIGATION, NOTIFY THE
SUBJECT OR SUBJECTS OF THE REPORT AND ANY OTHER  PERSONS  NAMED  IN  THE
REPORT  IN  WRITING  OF  THE EXISTENCE OF THE REPORT; PROVIDED, HOWEVER,

S. 7749                            32                           A. 10721

THAT SUCH NOTIFICATION MAY BE LIMITED IN ACCORDANCE WITH SUBDIVISION (C)
OF SECTION 33.16 OF THE MENTAL HYGIENE LAW;
  (VII)  IF A REPORT OF A REPORTABLE INCIDENT TO THE VULNERABLE PERSONS'
CENTRAL REGISTER INVOLVES THE DEATH OF  A  PERSON,  THE  JUSTICE  CENTER
SHALL GIVE TELEPHONE NOTICE AND IMMEDIATELY SEND A COPY OF THE REPORT TO
THE  APPROPRIATE DISTRICT ATTORNEY AND TO THE MEDICAL EXAMINER OR CORON-
ER. THE MEDICAL EXAMINER OR CORONER SHALL CONDUCT A PROMPT INVESTIGATION
AND SHALL FORWARD A PRELIMINARY WRITTEN REPORT OF HIS  OR  HER  FINDINGS
WITHIN  SIXTY  DAYS  OF  THE DATE OF DEATH, ABSENT EXTRAORDINARY CIRCUM-
STANCES, AND HIS OR HER FINAL WRITTEN REPORT PROMPTLY,  ABSENT  EXTRAOR-
DINARY  CIRCUMSTANCES,  TO THE APPROPRIATE DISTRICT ATTORNEY, THE APPRO-
PRIATE LAW  ENFORCEMENT  OFFICIAL,  THE  STATE  AGENCY  RESPONSIBLE  FOR
OVERSEEING  THE  INVESTIGATION,  THE JUSTICE CENTER MEDICAL REVIEW BOARD
AND, IF THE DEATH OCCURRED IN A HOSPITAL, THE HOSPITAL;
  (VIII) SUBMIT REPORTABLE INCIDENT FINDINGS TO THE VULNERABLE  PERSONS'
CENTRAL REGISTER IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION FOUR HUNDRED NINETY-THREE OF
THIS ARTICLE;
  (IX)  NOTIFY THE APPLICABLE STATE OVERSIGHT AGENCY AND THE DIRECTOR OR
OPERATOR, WHERE APPROPRIATE, TO DEVELOP A PLAN OF PREVENTION OR  REMEDI-
ATION  THAT  THE  FACILITY  OR PROGRAM MUST IMPLEMENT IN RESPONSE TO THE
REPORT'S FINDINGS WHICH MUST BE APPROVED AND  ITS  IMPLEMENTATION  MONI-
TORED  BY THE JUSTICE CENTER OR THE STATE OVERSIGHT AGENCY, AS APPROPRI-
ATE; AND
  (X) REFER SUSPECTED CASES OF FALSELY REPORTING  ABUSE  OR  NEGLECT  IN
VIOLATION  OF SUBDIVISION FOUR OF SECTION 240.50 OF THE PENAL LAW TO THE
APPROPRIATE LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCY OR  DISTRICT  ATTORNEY  FOR  INVESTI-
GATION AND PROSECUTION.
  (D)  WHENEVER  A  TELEPHONE  CALL  OR  ELECTRONIC  TRANSMISSION TO THE
VULNERABLE PERSONS' CENTRAL REGISTER CANNOT BE ACCEPTED AS A REPORT, BUT
THE INFORMATION PROVIDED ALLEGES OTHER POTENTIAL WRONGDOING AT A FACILI-
TY OR PROVIDER AGENCY, THE REGISTER SHALL  FORWARD  THE  REPORT  TO  THE
APPLICABLE  STATE  OVERSIGHT  AGENCY  FOR  INVESTIGATION  AND PROTECTIVE
ACTIONS, AS NEEDED, PURSUANT TO SECTION FOUR HUNDRED NINETY-ONE OF  THIS
ARTICLE.
  4.  THE  JUSTICE  CENTER SHALL MAINTAIN AND KEEP UP-TO-DATE RECORDS OF
ALL  INCIDENTS  REPORTED,  TOGETHER  WITH  ANY  ADDITIONAL   INFORMATION
OBTAINED  DURING  AN  INVESTIGATION OF SUCH A REPORT AND A RECORD OF THE
FINAL DISPOSITION OF THE REPORT.
  5. THE VULNERABLE PERSONS' CENTRAL REGISTER SHALL  MAINTAIN  AN  ELEC-
TRONIC  DATABASE OF ALL ACCEPTED REPORTS OF REPORTABLE INCIDENTS.  STATE
OVERSIGHT AGENCIES SHALL HAVE ACCESS TO  INFORMATION  IN  THE  DATABASE,
LIMITED  TO  CASES INVOLVING FACILITIES OR PROVIDER AGENCIES UNDER THEIR
JURISDICTION.
  (A) A UNIQUE IDENTIFIER SHALL  BE  ASSIGNED  TO  EACH  REPORT  BY  THE
VULNERABLE PERSONS' CENTRAL REGISTER.
  (B)  THE  REGISTER  SHALL  INCLUDE  THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION FOR EACH
REPORT: A RECORD OF THE FINAL DISPOSITION OF THE REPORT; THE  NAMES  AND
IDENTIFYING  DATA;  DATES  AND CIRCUMSTANCES OF ANY PERSON REQUESTING OR
RECEIVING INFORMATION FROM THE REGISTER; WHETHER THE PERSON  MAKING  THE
REPORT AUTHORIZED THE DISCLOSURE OF HIS OR HER NAME AND PERSONALLY IDEN-
TIFIABLE  INFORMATION;  AND  ANY  OTHER  INFORMATION  THAT THE EXECUTIVE
DIRECTOR, IN CONSULTATION WITH THE COMMISSIONERS OF THE STATE  OVERSIGHT
AGENCIES  COVERED BY THIS ARTICLE, IDENTIFIES AS FURTHERING THE PURPOSES
OF THIS ARTICLE AND COMPLYING WITH STATE AND FEDERAL REGULATIONS REGARD-
ING THE SECURITY AND CONFIDENTIALITY OF INDIVIDUALLY IDENTIFYING  HEALTH
INFORMATION.

S. 7749                            33                           A. 10721

  6. THE JUSTICE CENTER SHALL REVIEW SUCH ELECTRONIC DATABASE TO IDENTI-
FY INCIDENT PATTERNS AND TRENDS, AND IMPLEMENT PREVENTIVE AND CORRECTIVE
ACTIONS,  AND  TO  IDENTIFY  PATTERNS  AND  TRENDS  IN THE REPORTING AND
RESPONSE TO ALLEGATIONS OF REPORTABLE INCIDENTS  AND  DEVELOP  PLANS  OF
IMPROVEMENT BASED ON SUCH REVIEWS.
  7.  (A)  GENERAL  INFORMATION  ABOUT THE EXISTENCE AND PURPOSES OF THE
VULNERABLE PERSONS' CENTRAL REGISTER AND HOW TO MAKE  A  REPORT  TO  THE
REGISTER  SHALL  BE MADE AVAILABLE ON THE WEBSITE OF THE JUSTICE CENTER,
WITH LINKS TO SUCH INFORMATION PROVIDED ON THE WEBSITES OF EACH  OF  THE
STATE OVERSIGHT AGENCIES COVERED BY THIS ARTICLE.
  (B)  THE  JUSTICE  CENTER,  IN  COLLABORATION WITH THE STATE OVERSIGHT
AGENCIES COVERED BY THIS ARTICLE, SHALL DEVELOP  AND  WIDELY  DISTRIBUTE
WRITTEN  INFORMATION EXPLAINING THE REPORTING REQUIREMENTS AND PROCESSES
CONSISTENT WITH THIS ARTICLE. IN ADDITION, UPON  A  VULNERABLE  PERSON'S
COMMENCEMENT  OF  THE  RECEIPT  OF  SERVICES BY A FACILITY OR A PROVIDER
AGENCY, PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVES SHALL BE PROVIDED  WITH  SUCH  INFORMA-
TION,  AND  SUCH INFORMATION SHALL BE MADE AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST TO ANY
PERSON.
  (C) THE JUSTICE CENTER, IN COLLABORATION WITH THE STATE AGENCIES OPER-
ATING, LICENSING OR  CERTIFYING  FACILITIES  OR  THE  PROVIDER  AGENCIES
COVERED  BY  THIS ARTICLE, SHALL PROVIDE MANDATED REPORTERS WITH WRITTEN
INFORMATION EXPLAINING THE REPORTING  REQUIREMENTS  IN  ACCORDANCE  WITH
THIS ARTICLE.
  (D) THE JUSTICE CENTER SHALL DEVELOP AND IMPLEMENT PROGRAMS TO PUBLIC-
LY  RECOGNIZE AND VALUE THE CONTRIBUTIONS OF REPORTERS OF ALLEGATIONS OF
REPORTABLE INCIDENTS WHOSE ACTIONS PROMPT CORRECTIONS  AND  IMPROVEMENTS
IN  THE  SERVICE  SYSTEM;  PROVIDED,  HOWEVER,  THAT  THE NAME AND OTHER
PERSONALLY IDENTIFIABLE INFORMATION OF SUCH REPORTER SHALL NOT BE SHARED
UNLESS SUCH PERSON AUTHORIZES DISCLOSURE.
  8. IN A CASE WHERE A SUBJECT OF A REPORT OF ALLEGED ABUSE  OR  NEGLECT
RESIGNS  FROM  HIS OR HER POSITION OR IS TERMINATED WHILE UNDER INVESTI-
GATION, THE STATE OPERATING AGENCY OR THE APPLICABLE FACILITY OR PROVID-
ER AGENCY SHALL PROMPTLY REPORT SUCH RESIGNATION OR TERMINATION  TO  THE
JUSTICE  CENTER.  THE INVESTIGATION OF THE REPORT SHALL CONTINUE DESPITE
THE RESIGNATION OR TERMINATION OF SUCH SUBJECT.
  S 493. ABUSE AND NEGLECT FINDINGS; CONSEQUENCES.  1. WITHIN SIXTY DAYS
OF THE VULNERABLE PERSONS' CENTRAL REGISTER ACCEPTING  A  REPORT  OF  AN
ALLEGATION OF ABUSE OR NEGLECT, THE JUSTICE CENTER SHALL CAUSE THE FIND-
INGS  OF  THE  INVESTIGATION  TO BE ENTERED INTO THE VULNERABLE PERSONS'
CENTRAL REGISTER.  THE JUSTICE CENTER MAY TAKE ADDITIONAL TIME TO  ENTER
SUCH  FINDINGS  INTO THE VULNERABLE PERSONS' CENTRAL REGISTER; PROVIDED,
HOWEVER, THAT THE REASONS FOR ANY DELAY  MUST  BE  DOCUMENTED  AND  SUCH
FINDINGS SUBMITTED AS SOON THEREAFTER AS PRACTICABLY POSSIBLE.
  2.  FOR  SUBSTANTIATED  REPORTS  OF  ABUSE OR NEGLECT IN FACILITIES OR
PROVIDER AGENCIES IN RECEIPT OF  MEDICAL  ASSISTANCE,  SUCH  INFORMATION
SHALL ALSO BE FORWARDED BY THE JUSTICE CENTER TO THE OFFICE OF THE MEDI-
CAID  INSPECTOR GENERAL WHEN SUCH ABUSE OR NEGLECT MAY BE RELEVANT TO AN
INVESTIGATION OF UNACCEPTABLE PRACTICES AS SUCH PRACTICES ARE DEFINED IN
REGULATIONS OF THE OFFICE OF THE MEDICAID INSPECTOR GENERAL.
  3. (A) A FINDING SHALL BE BASED ON A PREPONDERANCE OF THE EVIDENCE AND
SHALL INDICATE WHETHER: (I) THE ALLEGED ABUSE OR NEGLECT  IS  SUBSTANTI-
ATED BECAUSE IT IS DETERMINED THAT THE INCIDENT OCCURRED AND THE SUBJECT
OF THE REPORT WAS RESPONSIBLE OR, IF NO SUBJECT CAN BE IDENTIFIED AND AN
INCIDENT  OCCURRED,  THAT, THE FACILITY OR PROVIDER AGENCY WAS RESPONSI-
BLE; OR (II) THE ALLEGED ABUSE OR NEGLECT IS UNSUBSTANTIATED BECAUSE  IT
IS  DETERMINED NOT TO HAVE OCCURRED OR THE SUBJECT OF THE REPORT WAS NOT

S. 7749                            34                           A. 10721

RESPONSIBLE, OR BECAUSE  IT  CANNOT  BE  DETERMINED  THAT  THE  INCIDENT
OCCURRED  OR  THAT  THE  SUBJECT OF THE REPORT WAS RESPONSIBLE. A REPORT
SHALL NOT BE DETERMINED TO BE SUBSTANTIATED  OR  UNSUBSTANTIATED  SOLELY
BECAUSE THE SUBJECT OF A REPORT RESIGNS DURING AN INVESTIGATION.
  (B)  IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE POSSIBLE FINDINGS IDENTIFIED IN PARAGRAPH
(A) OF THIS SUBDIVISION, A CONCURRENT FINDING MAY BE MADE THAT A SYSTEM-
IC PROBLEM CAUSED OR CONTRIBUTED TO THE OCCURRENCE OF THE INCIDENT.
  (C) THE JUSTICE CENTER SHALL NOTIFY THE SUBJECT  OF  THE  REPORT,  THE
FACILITY  OR  PROVIDER  AGENCY WHERE THE ABUSE OR NEGLECT WAS ALLEGED TO
HAVE OCCURRED, THE APPLICABLE STATE OVERSIGHT AGENCY AND  OTHER  PERSONS
NAMED  IN  THE  REPORT,  WHICH  INCLUDES THE SERVICE RECIPIENT'S PARENT,
GUARDIAN OR OTHER PERSON LEGALLY RESPONSIBLE FOR  SUCH  PERSON,  OF  THE
FINDINGS  OF  THE  INVESTIGATION  AND,  AS  APPLICABLE, THE LOCAL SOCIAL
SERVICES COMMISSIONER OR SCHOOL DISTRICT THAT PLACED THE  INDIVIDUAL  IN
THE  FACILITY  OR  PROVIDER  AGENCY,  THE  OFFICE OF CHILDREN AND FAMILY
SERVICES AND ANY ATTORNEY FOR THE INDIVIDUAL WHOSE APPOINTMENT HAS  BEEN
CONTINUED  BY  A  FAMILY  COURT JUDGE DURING THE TERM OF AN INDIVIDUAL'S
PLACEMENT, IN ACCORDANCE WITH APPLICABLE  STATE  AND  FEDERAL  LAWS  AND
REGULATIONS  GOVERNING  THE USE AND DISCLOSURE OF RECORDS. IF THE REPORT
IS SUBSTANTIATED, THE JUSTICE CENTER SHALL ALSO NOTIFY  THE  SUBJECT  OF
THE  REPORT  OF  HIS OR HER RIGHTS TO REQUEST THAT THE REPORT BE AMENDED
AND THE PROCEDURE BY WHICH HE OR SHE MAY SEEK TO  AMEND  THE  REPORT  IN
ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION FOUR HUNDRED NINETY-FOUR OF THIS ARTICLE.
  (D) A REPORT THAT IS FOUND TO BE UNSUBSTANTIATED SHALL BE SEALED IMME-
DIATELY.
  4. SUBSTANTIATED REPORTS OF ABUSE OR NEGLECT SHALL BE CATEGORIZED INTO
ONE OR MORE OF THE FOLLOWING FOUR CATEGORIES, AS APPLICABLE:
  (A)  CATEGORY  ONE  CONDUCT IS SERIOUS PHYSICAL ABUSE, SEXUAL ABUSE OR
OTHER SERIOUS CONDUCT BY CUSTODIANS, WHICH INCLUDES AND SHALL BE LIMITED
TO:
  (I) INTENTIONALLY OR RECKLESSLY CAUSING PHYSICAL INJURY AS DEFINED  IN
SUBDIVISION  NINE  OF  SECTION 10.00 OF THE PENAL LAW, OR DEATH, SERIOUS
DISFIGUREMENT, SERIOUS IMPAIRMENT OF HEALTH OR LOSS OR IMPAIRMENT OF THE
FUNCTION OF ANY BODILY ORGAN OR  PART,  OR  CONSCIOUSLY  DISREGARDING  A
SUBSTANTIAL  AND  UNJUSTIFIABLE  RISK  THAT SUCH PHYSICAL INJURY, DEATH,
IMPAIRMENT OR LOSS WILL OCCUR;
  (II) A KNOWING, RECKLESS OR CRIMINALLY NEGLIGENT FAILURE TO PERFORM  A
DUTY THAT: RESULTS IN PHYSICAL INJURY THAT CREATES A SUBSTANTIAL RISK OF
DEATH;  CAUSES  DEATH  OR  SERIOUS  DISFIGUREMENT, SERIOUS IMPAIRMENT OF
HEALTH OR LOSS OR IMPAIRMENT OF THE FUNCTION  OF  ANY  BODILY  ORGAN  OR
PART,  A  SUBSTANTIAL AND PROTRACTED DIMINUTION OF A SERVICE RECIPIENT'S
PSYCHOLOGICAL OR  INTELLECTUAL  FUNCTIONING,  SUPPORTED  BY  A  CLINICAL
ASSESSMENT  PERFORMED  BY  A  PHYSICIAN, PSYCHOLOGIST, PSYCHIATRIC NURSE
PRACTITIONER, LICENSED CLINICAL OR  MASTER  SOCIAL  WORKER  OR  LICENSED
MENTAL HEALTH COUNSELOR; OR IS LIKELY TO RESULT IN EITHER;
  (III)  THREATS,  TAUNTS  OR  RIDICULE  THAT  IS  LIKELY TO RESULT IN A
SUBSTANTIAL AND PROTRACTED DIMINUTION OF A SERVICE  RECIPIENT'S  PSYCHO-
LOGICAL  OR INTELLECTUAL FUNCTIONING, SUPPORTED BY A CLINICAL ASSESSMENT
PERFORMED BY A PHYSICIAN, PSYCHOLOGIST, PSYCHIATRIC NURSE  PRACTITIONER,
LICENSED  CLINICAL  OR  MASTER  SOCIAL  WORKER OR LICENSED MENTAL HEALTH
COUNSELOR;
  (IV) ENGAGING IN OR ENCOURAGING OTHERS TO ENGAGE IN CRUEL OR DEGRADING
TREATMENT, WHICH MAY INCLUDE A PATTERN OF CRUEL AND  DEGRADING  PHYSICAL
CONTACT,  OF  A  SERVICE  RECIPIENT,  THAT  RESULTS IN A SUBSTANTIAL AND
PROTRACTED DIMINUTION OF A SERVICE RECIPIENT'S PSYCHOLOGICAL  OR  INTEL-
LECTUAL  FUNCTIONING,  SUPPORTED BY A CLINICAL ASSESSMENT PERFORMED BY A

S. 7749                            35                           A. 10721

PHYSICIAN, PSYCHOLOGIST, PSYCHIATRIC NURSE PRACTITIONER, LICENSED  CLIN-
ICAL OR MASTER SOCIAL WORKER OR LICENSED MENTAL HEALTH COUNSELOR;
  (V)  ENGAGING  IN  OR  ENCOURAGING  OTHERS TO ENGAGE IN ANY CONDUCT IN
VIOLATION OF ARTICLE ONE HUNDRED THIRTY OF THE PENAL LAW WITH A  SERVICE
RECIPIENT;
  (VI) ANY CONDUCT THAT IS INCONSISTENT WITH A SERVICE RECIPIENT'S INDI-
VIDUAL  TREATMENT  PLAN OR APPLICABLE FEDERAL OR STATE LAWS, REGULATIONS
OR POLICIES, THAT ENCOURAGES, FACILITATES OR PERMITS ANOTHER  TO  ENGAGE
IN  ANY  CONDUCT IN VIOLATION OF ARTICLE ONE HUNDRED THIRTY OF THE PENAL
LAW, WITH A SERVICE RECIPIENT;
  (VII) ANY CONDUCT ENCOURAGING OR PERMITTING ANOTHER TO PROMOTE A SEXU-
AL PERFORMANCE, AS DEFINED IN SUBDIVISION ONE OF SECTION 263.00  OF  THE
PENAL  LAW,  BY  A  SERVICE  RECIPIENT, OR PERMITTING OR USING A SERVICE
RECIPIENT IN ANY PROSTITUTION-RELATED OFFENSE;
  (VIII) USING OR DISTRIBUTING A SCHEDULE  I  CONTROLLED  SUBSTANCE,  AS
DEFINED  BY  ARTICLE  THIRTY-THREE OF THE PUBLIC HEALTH LAW, AT THE WORK
PLACE OR WHILE ON DUTY;
  (IX) UNLAWFULLY ADMINISTERING A CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE,  AS  DEFINED  BY
ARTICLE THIRTY-THREE OF THE PUBLIC HEALTH LAW TO A SERVICE RECIPIENT;
  (X)  INTENTIONALLY FALSIFYING RECORDS RELATED TO THE SAFETY, TREATMENT
OR SUPERVISION OF A SERVICE RECIPIENT,  INCLUDING  BUT  NOT  LIMITED  TO
MEDICAL  RECORDS,  FIRE  SAFETY  INSPECTIONS  AND DRILLS AND SUPERVISION
CHECKS WHEN THE FALSE STATEMENT  CONTAINED  THEREIN  IS  MADE  WITH  THE
INTENT TO MISLEAD A PERSON INVESTIGATING A REPORTABLE INCIDENT AND IT IS
REASONABLY  FORESEEABLE  THAT  SUCH  FALSE  STATEMENT  MAY  ENDANGER THE
HEALTH, SAFETY OR WELFARE OF A SERVICE RECIPIENT;
  (XI) KNOWINGLY AND WILLFULLY FAILING TO REPORT, AS REQUIRED  BY  PARA-
GRAPH  (A) OF SUBDIVISION ONE OF SECTION FOUR HUNDRED NINETY-ONE OF THIS
ARTICLE, ANY OF THE CONDUCT IN SUBPARAGRAPHS (I) THROUGH  (IX)  OF  THIS
PARAGRAPH UPON DISCOVERY;
  (XII)  FOR  SUPERVISORS,  FAILING  TO  ACT UPON A REPORT OF CONDUCT IN
SUBPARAGRAPHS (I) THROUGH (X) OF THIS PARAGRAPH  AS  DIRECTED  BY  REGU-
LATION, PROCEDURE OR POLICY;
  (XIII)  INTENTIONALLY  MAKING  A  MATERIALLY FALSE STATEMENT DURING AN
INVESTIGATION INTO A REPORT OF CONDUCT DESCRIBED  IN  SUBPARAGRAPHS  (I)
THROUGH  (X) OF THIS PARAGRAPH WITH THE INTENT TO OBSTRUCT SUCH INVESTI-
GATION; AND
  (XIV) INTIMIDATING A MANDATED REPORTER WITH THE INTENTION OF  PREVENT-
ING  HIM  OR  HER  FROM REPORTING CONDUCT DESCRIBED IN SUBPARAGRAPHS (I)
THROUGH (X) OF THIS  PARAGRAPH  OR  RETALIATING  AGAINST  ANY  CUSTODIAN
MAKING SUCH A REPORT IN GOOD FAITH.
  (B)  CATEGORY  TWO  IS SUBSTANTIATED CONDUCT BY CUSTODIANS THAT IS NOT
OTHERWISE DESCRIBED IN CATEGORY ONE, BUT CONDUCT IN WHICH THE  CUSTODIAN
SERIOUSLY ENDANGERS THE HEALTH, SAFETY OR WELFARE OF A SERVICE RECIPIENT
BY  COMMITTING  AN  ACT  OF ABUSE OR NEGLECT. CATEGORY TWO CONDUCT UNDER
THIS PARAGRAPH SHALL BE ELEVATED  TO  CATEGORY  ONE  CONDUCT  WHEN  SUCH
CONDUCT OCCURS WITHIN THREE YEARS OF A PREVIOUS FINDING THAT SUCH CUSTO-
DIAN  ENGAGED IN CATEGORY TWO CONDUCT. REPORTS THAT RESULT IN A CATEGORY
TWO FINDING NOT ELEVATED TO A CATEGORY ONE FINDING SHALL BE SEALED AFTER
FIVE YEARS.
  (C) CATEGORY THREE IS ABUSE OR  NEGLECT  BY  CUSTODIANS  THAT  IS  NOT
OTHERWISE  DESCRIBED IN CATEGORIES ONE AND TWO. REPORTS THAT RESULT IN A
CATEGORY THREE FINDING SHALL BE SEALED AFTER FIVE YEARS.
  (D) CATEGORY FOUR SHALL BE CONDITIONS AT A FACILITY OR PROVIDER AGENCY
THAT EXPOSE SERVICE RECIPIENTS TO HARM  OR  RISK  OF  HARM  WHERE  STAFF
CULPABILITY IS MITIGATED BY SYSTEMIC PROBLEMS SUCH AS INADEQUATE MANAGE-

S. 7749                            36                           A. 10721

MENT,  STAFFING,  TRAINING  OR  SUPERVISION.    CATEGORY FOUR ALSO SHALL
INCLUDE INSTANCES IN WHICH IT HAS  BEEN  SUBSTANTIATED  THAT  A  SERVICE
RECIPIENT  HAS  BEEN  ABUSED  OR  NEGLECTED, BUT THE PERPETRATOR OF SUCH
ABUSE OR NEGLECT CANNOT BE IDENTIFIED.
  5.  (A)  CATEGORY  ONE FINDINGS SHALL RESULT IN PERMANENT PLACEMENT OF
THE SUBJECT OF THE REPORT ON THE VULNERABLE PERSONS' CENTRAL REGISTER IN
ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION FOUR HUNDRED NINETY-FIVE OF THIS ARTICLE.
  (B) EXCEPT WHEN A CUSTODIAN HAS A CATEGORY TWO FINDING ELEVATED  TO  A
CATEGORY  ONE FINDING PURSUANT TO THIS SECTION, A CUSTODIAN WITH A CATE-
GORY TWO FINDING SHALL BE SUBJECT TO PROGRESSIVE DISCIPLINE.  (FOR STATE
ENTITIES BOUND BY COLLECTIVE BARGAINING, SUCH DISCIPLINE ESTABLISHED  BY
COLLECTIVE BARGAINING SHALL GOVERN.)  IN CONJUNCTION WITH SUCH DISCIPLI-
NARY  ACTION,  THE  FACILITY OR PROVIDER AGENCY SHALL DEVELOP A PLAN FOR
TRAINING AND ANY OTHER ACTIONS TO REDUCE THE RISK OF RECURRENCE OF  SUCH
CONDUCT.  SUCH PLAN MUST BE APPROVED BY AND ITS IMPLEMENTATION MONITORED
BY THE JUSTICE CENTER OR THE STATE OVERSIGHT AGENCY, AS APPROPRIATE.
  (C)  WITH  RESPECT  TO  A  CATEGORY THREE OR FOUR FINDING, THE JUSTICE
CENTER SHALL REQUIRE THE FACILITY OR  PROVIDER  AGENCY  TO  DEVELOP  AND
IMPLEMENT  A  PLAN OF PREVENTION AND REMEDIATION OF THE DEFICIENT CONDI-
TIONS.  SUCH PLAN SHALL IDENTIFY ANY SYSTEMIC PROBLEM THAT  LED  TO  THE
DETERMINATION  OF A CATEGORY THREE OR FOUR FINDING AND INCLUDE SUGGESTED
CORRECTIVE MEASURES. SUCH PLAN MUST BE APPROVED BY AND  ITS  IMPLEMENTA-
TION  MONITORED  BY THE JUSTICE CENTER OR THE STATE OVERSIGHT AGENCY, AS
APPROPRIATE.  IN REVIEWING THE CONTINUED QUALIFICATIONS OF A FACILITY OR
PROVIDER AGENCY FOR AN OPERATING CERTIFICATE, THE STATE OVERSIGHT AGENCY
SHALL EVALUATE SUCH FACILITY OR PROVIDER AGENCY'S  COMPLIANCE  WITH  ANY
PLANS  OF  PREVENTION  AND  REMEDIATION RESULTING FROM CATEGORY THREE OR
FOUR REPORTS AND TAKE APPROPRIATE ENFORCEMENT ACTION, WHICH MAY INCLUDE,
BUT NOT BE LIMITED TO, CLOSING INTAKE TO THE FACILITY OR PROVIDER AGENCY
OR TERMINATING OPERATING CERTIFICATES FOR PROLONGED OR REPEATED  FAILURE
TO  CORRECT  IDENTIFIED PROBLEMS IN ACCORDANCE WITH APPLICABLE STATE LAW
OR REGULATION.
  S 494. AMENDMENTS TO AND APPEALS OF SUBSTANTIATED REPORTS OF ABUSE  OR
NEGLECT.  1. (A) AT ANY TIME SUBSEQUENT TO THE COMPLETION OF AN INVESTI-
GATION OF AN ALLEGATION OF ABUSE OR NEGLECT, BUT IN NO EVENT LATER  THAN
THIRTY  DAYS AFTER THE SUBJECT OF THE REPORT IS NOTIFIED THAT THE REPORT
IS SUBSTANTIATED, THE SUBJECT MAY REQUEST THAT THE  VULNERABLE  PERSONS'
CENTRAL  REGISTER AMEND THE FINDINGS OF THE REPORT. IF THE REGISTER DOES
NOT AMEND THE FINDINGS OF THE REPORT IN ACCORDANCE  WITH  SUCH  REQUEST,
THE  SUBJECT  SHALL  HAVE THE RIGHT TO BE HEARD BEFORE AN ADMINISTRATIVE
LAW JUDGE, TO DETERMINE WHETHER THE FINDINGS OF  THE  REPORT  SHOULD  BE
AMENDED ON THE GROUNDS THAT THEY ARE INACCURATE OR INCONSISTENT WITH THE
PROVISIONS IN THIS ARTICLE.  THE OFFICE SHALL ESTABLISH AN APPEALS PROC-
ESS  BY  WHICH  THE  SUBJECT  OF  THE REPORT IS NOTIFIED OF THE RIGHT TO
APPEAL AND THE PROCEDURE BY WHICH HE OR SHE MAY CHALLENGE  THE  DETERMI-
NATION  THAT  A  REPORT  IS  SUBSTANTIATED,  WITH  A DE NOVO STANDARD OF
REVIEW.
  (B) IF THE ADMINISTRATIVE LAW JUDGE DETERMINES THAT THE JUSTICE CENTER
FAILED TO PROVE BY A PREPONDERANCE OF THE EVIDENCE THE FINDING THAT  THE
SUBJECT  COMMITTED  THE  ACT  OR  ACTS  OF ABUSE OR NEGLECT, THE JUSTICE
CENTER SHALL AMEND THE RECORD TO REFLECT THAT SUCH A FINDING  WAS  MADE,
AND  SHALL  PROMPTLY  NOTIFY  THE  SUBJECT  OF  THE REPORT AND ANY OTHER
PERSONS OR ENTITIES PREVIOUSLY NOTIFIED OF THE EXISTENCE OF  THE  REPORT
OF  THE AMENDED FINDING.  SUCH REPORT SHALL BE SEALED IN ACCORDANCE WITH
THE STANDARDS SET FORTH IN SECTION FOUR HUNDRED NINETY-SIX OF THIS ARTI-
CLE.

S. 7749                            37                           A. 10721

  2. THE JUSTICE CENTER IS AUTHORIZED  TO  MAKE  ANY  APPROPRIATE  ORDER
RESPECTING  THE  AMENDMENT OF SUCH FINDINGS OF A REPORT TO MAKE IT ACCU-
RATE OR CONSISTENT WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF THIS ARTICLE.
  S  495.  REGISTER  OF  SUBSTANTIATED  CATEGORY  ONE  CASES OF ABUSE OR
NEGLECT. 1. THE JUSTICE CENTER SHALL DEVELOP AND MAINTAIN A REGISTER  OF
SUBJECTS OF REPORTS WHO HAVE BEEN FOUND TO HAVE A SUBSTANTIATED CATEGORY
ONE CASE OF ABUSE OR NEGLECT, IN ACCORDANCE WITH PARAGRAPH (A) OF SUBDI-
VISION  FOUR  OF  SECTION FOUR HUNDRED NINETY-THREE OF THIS ARTICLE, AND
WHO HAVE: (A) NOT REQUESTED AN AMENDMENT OF THE FINDINGS OF  THE  REPORT
IN  THE  TIME SPECIFIED IN SUBDIVISION ONE OF SECTION FOUR HUNDRED NINE-
TY-FOUR OF THIS ARTICLE; OR (B) BEEN HEARD PURSUANT TO SUCH  SUBDIVISION
AND  ALL  THE FINDINGS OF THE REPORT WERE NOT AMENDED TO BE UNSUBSTANTI-
ATED.
  2. ALL FACILITY AND PROVIDER AGENCIES, OTHER PROVIDERS OF SERVICES  TO
VULNERABLE  PERSONS  IN  PROGRAMS  LICENSED,  CERTIFIED OR FUNDED BY ANY
STATE OVERSIGHT AGENCY AND OTHER  PROVIDER  AND  LICENSING  AGENCIES  AS
DEFINED   IN   SUBDIVISION   THREE  OR  FOUR  OF  SECTION  FOUR  HUNDRED
TWENTY-FOUR-A OF THIS CHAPTER SHALL CHECK THE REGISTER OF  SUBSTANTIATED
CATEGORY  ONE  CASES  OF  ABUSE OR NEGLECT BEFORE DETERMINING WHETHER TO
HIRE OR OTHERWISE  ALLOW  ANY  PERSON  AS  AN  EMPLOYEE,  ADMINISTRATOR,
CONSULTANT,  INTERN, VOLUNTEER OR CONTRACTOR WHO WILL HAVE THE POTENTIAL
FOR REGULAR AND SUBSTANTIAL CONTACT WITH A SERVICE RECIPIENT  OR  BEFORE
APPROVING  AN  APPLICANT  FOR  A  LICENSE,  CERTIFICATE, PERMIT OR OTHER
APPROVAL TO PROVIDE CARE TO A SERVICE RECIPIENT.   (FOR  STATE  ENTITIES
BOUND  BY  COLLECTIVE  BARGAINING, SUCH ACTION ESTABLISHED BY COLLECTIVE
BARGAINING SHALL GOVERN.)
  3. IF A PERSON IS LISTED ON THE REGISTER OF SUBSTANTIATED CATEGORY ONE
CASES OF ABUSE OR NEGLECT, A FACILITY OR PROVIDER AGENCY AND  ALL  OTHER
PROVIDERS  OF  SERVICES  TO  VULNERABLE  PERSONS IN PROGRAMS LICENSED OR
CERTIFIED BY ANY STATE OVERSIGHT AGENCY SHALL NOT HIRE SUCH A PERSON  TO
HAVE  REGULAR  AND  SUBSTANTIAL  CONTACT WITH A SERVICE RECIPIENT IN ANY
SUCH FACILITY OR PROGRAM.  OTHER  PROVIDERS  OR  LICENSING  AGENCIES  AS
DEFINED   IN   SUBDIVISION   THREE  OR  FOUR  OF  SECTION  FOUR  HUNDRED
TWENTY-FOUR-A OF THIS CHAPTER SHALL DETERMINE WHETHER TO HIRE  OR  ALLOW
SUCH  A  PERSON  TO  HAVE  REGULAR OR SUBSTANTIAL CONTACT WITH A SERVICE
RECIPIENT IN ACCORDANCE WITH  THE  PROVISIONS  OF  SUBDIVISION  FIVE  OF
SECTION FOUR HUNDRED TWENTY-FOUR-A OF THIS CHAPTER.
  4.  A CUSTODIAN SHALL BE SUBJECT TO IMMEDIATE TERMINATION IF HE OR SHE
IS CONVICTED OF ANY CRIME AS DEFINED IN SUBDIVISION SIX OF SECTION 10.00
OF THE PENAL LAW THAT RELATES DIRECTLY TO THE  ABUSE  OR  NEGLECT  OF  A
VULNERABLE PERSON, OR IS PLACED ON THE REGISTER OF SUBSTANTIATED CATEGO-
RY  ONE CASES OF ABUSE OR NEGLECT.  (FOR STATE ENTITIES BOUND BY COLLEC-
TIVE BARGAINING, SUCH ACTION ESTABLISHED BY COLLECTIVE BARGAINING  SHALL
GOVERN.)
  5.  PLACEMENT ON THE REGISTER SHALL BE PERMANENT, UNLESS THE OFFICE IS
OFFICIALLY NOTIFIED OF THE INDIVIDUAL'S DEATH.
  6. NOTHING IN THIS ARTICLE  SHALL  DIMINISH  THE  RIGHTS  OR  REMEDIES
OTHERWISE  AVAILABLE  UNDER  LAW,  REGULATION  OR APPROPRIATE COLLECTIVE
BARGAINING AGREEMENTS OF ANY FACILITY OR PROVIDER AGENCY WITH RESPECT TO
THE TERMINATION OR DISCIPLINE OF EMPLOYEES.
  S 496. CONFIDENTIALITY.   1.  UNLESS  AN  INVESTIGATION  OF  A  REPORT
CONDUCTED  PURSUANT TO THIS ARTICLE HAS BEEN SUBSTANTIATED, ALL INFORMA-
TION, INCLUDING INFORMATION IDENTIFYING THE SUBJECT OF  THE  REPORT  AND
OTHER  PERSONS  NAMED  IN  THE  REPORT, SHALL BE SEALED FORTHWITH BY THE
VULNERABLE PERSONS' CENTRAL REGISTER, THE STATE OVERSIGHT AGENCY AND THE
FACILITY OR PROVIDER AGENCY.  SUCH REPORTS MAY ONLY BE UNSEALED AND MADE

S. 7749                            38                           A. 10721

AVAILABLE, CONSISTENT WITH ANY OTHER APPLICABLE STATE  OR  FEDERAL  LAW,
TO:
  (A)  THE STATE AGENCY OPERATING, LICENSING OR CERTIFYING A FACILITY OR
PROGRAM FOR THE PURPOSE OF MONITORING  OR  LICENSING  SUCH  FACILITY  OR
PROGRAM;
  (B) ANY STATE AGENCY OPERATING, LICENSING, OR CERTIFYING A FACILITY OR
PROVIDER  AGENCY  WHEN  INVESTIGATING  A  REPORT  OF  SUSPECTED ABUSE OR
NEGLECT INVOLVING THE SUBJECT OF A PREVIOUSLY SEALED REPORT ACCEPTED  BY
THE VULNERABLE PERSONS' CENTRAL REGISTER;
  (C) THE SUBJECT OF THE REPORT;
  (D)  A  COURT  OF  RELEVANT JURISDICTION OR A LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICIAL
WHEN SUCH COURT OR OFFICIAL VERIFIES THAT THE  REPORT  IS  NECESSARY  TO
CONDUCT  AN ACTIVE INVESTIGATION OR PROSECUTION OF A VIOLATION OF SUBDI-
VISION FOUR OF SECTION 240.50 OF THE PENAL LAW;
  (E) THE JUSTICE CENTER MEDICAL  REVIEW  BOARD,  FOR  THE  PURPOSES  OF
PREPARING  A  FATALITY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION FIVE HUNDRED FIFTY-SIX
OF THE EXECUTIVE LAW;
  (F) THE INDEPENDENT AGENCY DESIGNATED PURSUANT TO SUBDIVISION  (B)  OF
SECTION  FIVE  HUNDRED  FIFTY-EIGHT  OF THE EXECUTIVE LAW, PROVIDED THAT
SUCH INFORMATION IS RELEVANT TO A MATTER WITHIN THE LEGAL  AUTHORITY  OF
SUCH AGENCY; OR
  (G) OTHER PERSONS NAMED IN THE REPORT, AS DEFINED IN SUBDIVISION THIR-
TEEN  OF  SECTION  FOUR  HUNDRED  EIGHTY-EIGHT  OF  THIS  ARTICLE  WHICH
INCLUDES, BUT IS NOT LIMITED TO, THE SERVICE RECIPIENT'S PARENT, GUARDI-
AN OR OTHER PERSON LEGALLY RESPONSIBLE FOR SUCH PERSON; PROVIDED, HOWEV-
ER, THAT THE NAMES  AND  OTHER  PERSONALLY  IDENTIFYING  INFORMATION  OF
CUSTODIANS  AND  OTHER  SERVICE  RECIPIENTS SHALL NOT BE INCLUDED UNLESS
SUCH CUSTODIANS AND SERVICE RECIPIENTS AUTHORIZE DISCLOSURE.    NOTWITH-
STANDING  THE  PROHIBITIONS ON NON-REDISCLOSURE SET FORTH IN THE CLOSING
SENTENCE OF THIS SUBDIVISION, THE SERVICE RECIPIENT,  AND  SUCH  SERVICE
RECIPIENT'S  PARENT,  GUARDIAN  OR  OTHER PERSON LEGALLY RESPONSIBLE FOR
SUCH SERVICE RECIPIENT MAY DISCLOSE INFORMATION AND REPORTS MADE  AVAIL-
ABLE  PURSUANT  TO  THIS PARAGRAPH TO AN ATTORNEY, WHO SHALL NOT FURTHER
DISCLOSE EXCEPT AS IS NECESSARY FOR USE BY SUCH  ATTORNEY  IN  RENDERING
ADVICE, ASSISTANCE AND REPRESENTATION.
WHEN  A  REPORT IS UNSEALED, PERSONS GIVEN ACCESS TO IT SHALL NOT REDIS-
CLOSE SUCH REPORTS EXCEPT  AS  NECESSARY  TO  CONDUCT  SUCH  APPROPRIATE
INVESTIGATION OR PROSECUTION AND SHALL REQUEST THAT THE COURT REDACT ANY
COPIES  OF  SUCH  REPORTS PRODUCED IN ANY COURT PROCEEDING TO REMOVE THE
NAMES OF THOSE PERSONS IRRELEVANT TO THE PROCEEDING SUCH AS  THE  SOURCE
OF  THE  REPORT, THE NAME OF THE SUBJECT, AND OTHER PERSONS NAMED IN THE
REPORTS; OR THAT THE COURT ISSUE AN ORDER PROTECTING THE  NAMES  OF  THE
SUBJECTS AND OTHER PERSONS NAMED IN THE REPORTS FROM PUBLIC DISCLOSURE.
  2. REPORTS MADE PURSUANT TO THIS ARTICLE AND FOUND TO BE SUBSTANTIATED
AS  WELL  AS  ANY  OTHER INFORMATION OBTAINED, REPORTS WRITTEN OR PHOTO-
GRAPHS TAKEN CONCERNING SUCH REPORTS IN THE POSSESSION  OF  THE  JUSTICE
CENTER,  A  STATE  OVERSIGHT  AGENCY,  A  DELEGATE INVESTIGATORY ENTITY,
FACILITY OR PROVIDER AGENCY COVERED BY THIS ARTICLE SHALL  BE  CONFIDEN-
TIAL  AND  SHALL  NOT  BE DISCLOSED TO ANY OTHER PARTY UNLESS AUTHORIZED
PURSUANT TO THIS SECTION OR ANY OTHER APPLICABLE STATE OR  FEDERAL  LAW.
IN  THE  EVENT THAT OTHER APPLICABLE STATE OR FEDERAL LAW PROVISIONS ARE
MORE RESTRICTIVE THAN THE PROVISIONS OF THIS SECTION, THE PROVISIONS  OF
SUCH  OTHER  STATE  OR  FEDERAL LAW SHALL APPLY. IN ACCORDANCE WITH THIS
SECTION, SUCH INFORMATION SHALL BE MADE AVAILABLE ONLY TO:
  (A) A PERSON WHO IS THE SUBJECT OF THE REPORT;

S. 7749                            39                           A. 10721

  (B) OTHER PERSONS NAMED IN THE REPORT,  WHICH  INCLUDES,  BUT  IS  NOT
LIMITED  TO,  THE  SERVICE  RECIPIENT'S PARENT, GUARDIAN OR OTHER PERSON
LEGALLY RESPONSIBLE FOR SUCH PERSON.   NOTWITHSTANDING THE  PROHIBITIONS
ON  NON-REDISCLOSURE  SET FORTH IN SUBDIVISION FOUR OF THIS SECTION, THE
SERVICE  RECIPIENT,  AND  SUCH  SERVICE  RECIPIENT'S PARENT, GUARDIAN OR
OTHER PERSON LEGALLY RESPONSIBLE FOR SUCH SERVICE RECIPIENT MAY DISCLOSE
INFORMATION AND REPORTS MADE AVAILABLE PURSUANT TO THIS PARAGRAPH TO  AN
ATTORNEY,  WHO SHALL NOT FURTHER DISCLOSE EXCEPT AS IS NECESSARY FOR USE
BY SUCH ATTORNEY IN RENDERING ADVICE, ASSISTANCE AND REPRESENTATION;
  (C) THE JUSTICE CENTER;
  (D) THE APPLICABLE STATE OVERSIGHT AGENCY, THE DIRECTOR OR OPERATOR OF
THE APPLICABLE FACILITY OR PROVIDER  AGENCY  AND,  AS  APPROPRIATE,  THE
LOCAL  SOCIAL  SERVICES  COMMISSIONER, THE COMMISSIONER OF THE OFFICE OF
CHILDREN AND FAMILY SERVICES, OR THE SCHOOL DISTRICT PLACING THE SERVICE
RECIPIENT, OR AN AGENCY  PROVIDING  ADULT  PROTECTIVE  SERVICES  TO  THE
SERVICE RECIPIENT;
  (E)  A PHYSICIAN WHO HAS BEFORE HIM OR HER A SERVICE RECIPIENT WHOM HE
OR SHE REASONABLY SUSPECTS MAY BE OR MAY HAVE BEEN ABUSED OR NEGLECTED;
  (F) A COURT, UPON A FINDING THAT THE  INFORMATION  IN  THE  RECORD  IS
RELEVANT TO THE DETERMINATION OF AN ISSUE BEFORE THE COURT;
  (G) A GRAND JURY, UPON A FINDING THAT THE INFORMATION IN THE RECORD IS
NECESSARY FOR THE DETERMINATION OF CHARGES BEFORE THE GRAND JURY;
  (H) ANY APPROPRIATE STATE LEGISLATIVE COMMITTEE RESPONSIBLE FOR LEGIS-
LATION AFFECTING VULNERABLE PERSONS, PROVIDED, HOWEVER, THAT NO INFORMA-
TION  IDENTIFYING  OR  TENDING TO IDENTIFY THE SUBJECTS OF THE REPORT OR
OTHER PERSONS NAMED IN THE REPORT SHALL BE MADE AVAILABLE;
  (I) ANY PERSON ENGAGED IN A  BONA  FIDE  RESEARCH  PURPOSE;  PROVIDED,
HOWEVER,  THAT  NO  INFORMATION  IDENTIFYING  OR TENDING TO IDENTIFY THE
SUBJECTS OF THE REPORT OR OTHER PERSONS NAMED IN  THE  REPORT  SHALL  BE
MADE  AVAILABLE  TO  THE RESEARCHER UNLESS IT IS ABSOLUTELY ESSENTIAL TO
THE RESEARCH PURPOSE AND THE JUSTICE CENTER, AFTER CONSULTATION WITH THE
COMMISSIONER OF THE  APPLICABLE  STATE  OVERSIGHT  AGENCY,  GIVES  PRIOR
APPROVAL;
  (J)  A  FACILITY  OR  PROVIDER  AGENCY, OTHER PROVIDERS OF SERVICES TO
VULNERABLE PERSONS IN PROGRAMS LICENSED OR CERTIFIED BY ANY STATE  OVER-
SIGHT  AGENCY,  OR  ANY  OTHER PROVIDER AGENCY AS DEFINED IN SUBDIVISION
THREE OF SECTION FOUR HUNDRED TWENTY-FOUR-A OF THIS CHAPTER OR A LICENS-
ING AGENCY AS DEFINED IN SUBDIVISION FOUR OF SECTION FOUR HUNDRED  TWEN-
TY-FOUR-A OF THIS CHAPTER, IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE PROVISIONS OF SUBDIVI-
SION TWO OF SECTION FOUR HUNDRED NINETY-FIVE OF THIS ARTICLE;
  (K) A PROBATION SERVICE REGARDING A PERSON ABOUT WHOM IT IS CONDUCTING
AN  INVESTIGATION PURSUANT TO ARTICLE THREE HUNDRED NINETY OF THE CRIMI-
NAL  PROCEDURE  LAW,  OR  A  PROBATION  SERVICE  OR  THE  DEPARTMENT  OF
CORRECTIONS  AND  COMMUNITY  SUPERVISION  REGARDING A PERSON TO WHOM THE
SERVICE OR DEPARTMENT IS PROVIDING SUPERVISION PURSUANT TO ARTICLE SIXTY
OF THE PENAL LAW OR ARTICLE EIGHT  OF  THE  CORRECTION  LAW,  WHERE  THE
SERVICE OR DEPARTMENT REQUESTS THE INFORMATION UPON A CERTIFICATION THAT
SUCH  INFORMATION  IS NECESSARY TO CONDUCT ITS INVESTIGATION, THAT THERE
IS REASONABLE CAUSE TO BELIEVE THAT THE SUBJECT OF AN  INVESTIGATION  IS
THE SUBJECT OF A SUBSTANTIATED REPORT AND THAT THERE IS REASONABLE CAUSE
TO  BELIEVE  THAT SUCH RECORDS ARE NECESSARY TO THE INVESTIGATION BY THE
PROBATION SERVICE  OR  THE  DEPARTMENT,  PROVIDED,  HOWEVER,  THAT  ONLY
SUBSTANTIATED REPORTS SHALL BE FURNISHED PURSUANT TO THIS SUBDIVISION;
  (L)  A  DISTRICT  ATTORNEY, AN ASSISTANT DISTRICT ATTORNEY OR INVESTI-
GATOR EMPLOYED BY THE OFFICE OF A DISTRICT ATTORNEY, A SWORN OFFICER  OF
THE  DIVISION  OF  STATE POLICE, OF THE REGIONAL STATE PARK POLICE, OF A

S. 7749                            40                           A. 10721

CITY POLICE DEPARTMENT, OR OF A COUNTY, TOWN OR VILLAGE  POLICE  DEPART-
MENT  OR COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE OR DEPARTMENT UPON WRITTEN VERIFICATION
THAT SUCH INFORMATION IS NECESSARY TO CONDUCT A  CRIMINAL  INVESTIGATION
OR  CRIMINAL PROSECUTION OF A PERSON, AND THAT THERE IS REASONABLE CAUSE
TO BELIEVE THAT SUCH PERSON IS THE SUBJECT OF A REPORT; PROVIDED, HOWEV-
ER, THAT ONLY SUBSTANTIATED REPORTS SHALL BE FURNISHED PURSUANT TO  THIS
SUBDIVISION;
  (M)  THE NEW YORK CITY DEPARTMENT OF INVESTIGATION; PROVIDED, HOWEVER,
THAT NO INFORMATION IDENTIFYING THE SUBJECTS  OF  THE  REPORT  OR  OTHER
PERSONS NAMED IN THE REPORT SHALL BE MADE AVAILABLE TO THE DEPARTMENT OF
INVESTIGATION  UNLESS  SUCH INFORMATION IS ESSENTIAL TO AN INVESTIGATION
WITHIN THE LEGAL AUTHORITY OF THE DEPARTMENT OF  INVESTIGATION  AND  THE
JUSTICE  CENTER  OR  THE  APPLICABLE  STATE OVERSIGHT AGENCY GIVES PRIOR
APPROVAL;
  (N) A PROVIDER OR COORDINATOR OF  SERVICES  TO  WHICH  A  FACILITY  OR
PROVIDER  AGENCY  OR  SOCIAL  SERVICES  DISTRICT  HAS REFERRED A SERVICE
RECIPIENT OR A SERVICE RECIPIENT'S FAMILY OR TO WHOM THE SERVICE RECIPI-
ENT OR THE RECIPIENT'S FAMILY HAVE REFERRED THEMSELVES AT THE REQUEST OF
SUCH AGENCY OR SOCIAL SERVICES DISTRICT, WHEN SAID SERVICE RECIPIENT  IS
REPORTED  TO  THE VULNERABLE PERSONS' CENTRAL REGISTER AS THE VULNERABLE
PERSON AND WHEN THE RECORDS, REPORTS OR OTHER INFORMATION ARE  NECESSARY
TO  ENABLE THE PROVIDER OR COORDINATOR TO ESTABLISH AND IMPLEMENT A PLAN
OF SERVICE FOR THE SERVICE RECIPIENT OR THE SERVICE RECIPIENT'S  FAMILY,
OR TO MONITOR THE PROVISION AND COORDINATION OF SERVICES AND THE CIRCUM-
STANCES  OF THE SERVICE RECIPIENT AND THE SERVICE RECIPIENT'S FAMILY, OR
TO DIRECTLY PROVIDE SERVICES IN ACCORDANCE WITH REQUIREMENTS ESTABLISHED
BY THE APPLICABLE STATE OVERSIGHT AGENCY TO THE EXTENT THAT THE  SHARING
OF  SUCH  INFORMATION  IS  NOT  OTHERWISE  PROHIBITED  BY  FEDERAL  LAW;
PROVIDED, HOWEVER, A PROVIDER OR COORDINATOR OF SERVICES GIVEN ACCESS TO
INFORMATION CONCERNING A SERVICE RECIPIENT PURSUANT  TO  THIS  PARAGRAPH
SHALL  BE  AUTHORIZED TO REDISCLOSE SUCH INFORMATION TO OTHER PERSONS OR
AGENCIES WHICH ALSO PROVIDE SERVICES TO THE  SERVICE  RECIPIENT  OR  THE
SERVICE  RECIPIENT'S  FAMILY  ONLY  IF  AN AGREEMENT HAS BEEN OR WILL BE
REACHED BETWEEN THE PROVIDER OR COORDINATOR OF SERVICE AND SUCH FACILITY
OR PROVIDER AGENCY, OPERATING STATE AGENCY OR LOCAL DISTRICT. AN  AGREE-
MENT  ENTERED INTO PURSUANT TO THIS PARAGRAPH SHALL INCLUDE THE SPECIFIC
AGENCIES AND CATEGORIES OF  INDIVIDUALS  TO  WHOM  REDISCLOSURE  BY  THE
PROVIDER  OR COORDINATOR OF SERVICES IS AUTHORIZED.  PERSONS OR AGENCIES
GIVEN ACCESS TO INFORMATION PURSUANT TO THIS PARAGRAPH MAY EXCHANGE SUCH
INFORMATION IN ORDER TO FACILITATE  THE  PROVISION  OR  COORDINATION  OF
SERVICES TO THE SERVICE RECIPIENT OR THE SERVICE RECIPIENT'S FAMILY;
  (O) A DISINTERESTED PERSON MAKING AN INVESTIGATION PURSUANT TO SECTION
ONE  HUNDRED  SIXTEEN  OF THE DOMESTIC RELATIONS LAW, PROVIDED THAT SUCH
DISINTERESTED PERSON SHALL ONLY MAKE THIS INFORMATION AVAILABLE  TO  THE
JUDGE BEFORE WHOM THE ADOPTION PROCEEDING IS PENDING;
  (P) A CRIMINAL JUSTICE AGENCY CONDUCTING AN INVESTIGATION OF A MISSING
CHILD  OR  VULNERABLE ADULT WHERE THERE IS REASON TO SUSPECT INFORMATION
IN A SUBSTANTIATED REPORT UNDER THIS ARTICLE IS NEEDED TO  FURTHER  SUCH
INVESTIGATION;
  (Q)  THE  DIRECTOR OR OPERATOR OF THE FACILITY OR PROVIDER AGENCY AND,
AS APPROPRIATE, THE LOCAL SOCIAL SERVICES COMMISSIONER, COMMISSIONER  OF
THE OFFICE OF CHILDREN AND FAMILY SERVICES, OR SCHOOL DISTRICT PLACING A
CHILD  IN  THAT  PROGRAM,  THE APPLICABLE EXECUTIVE AGENCY, AND, FOR ANY
REPORT INVOLVING ABUSE OR NEGLECT OF A CHILD, ANY ATTORNEY APPOINTED  TO
REPRESENT  THE  CHILD  WHOSE  APPOINTMENT HAS BEEN CONTINUED BY A FAMILY

S. 7749                            41                           A. 10721

COURT JUDGE DURING THE TERM OF THE PLACEMENT AND SUBJECT TO THE  LIMITA-
TIONS CONTAINED IN SECTION FOUR HUNDRED NINETY-FIVE OF THIS ARTICLE;
  (R)  FOR  ANY  REPORT  ALLEGING  ABUSE  OR NEGLECT OF A CHILD, A CHILD
PROTECTIVE SERVICE OF ANOTHER STATE WHEN SUCH SERVICE CERTIFIES THAT THE
RECORDS AND REPORTS ARE NECESSARY IN ORDER TO CONDUCT A CHILD  ABUSE  OR
MALTREATMENT INVESTIGATION WITHIN ITS JURISDICTION OF THE SUBJECT OF THE
REPORT  AND  SHALL ONLY BE USED FOR PURPOSES OF CONDUCTING SUCH INVESTI-
GATION AND WILL NOT BE REDISCLOSED TO ANY OTHER PERSON OR AGENCY;
  (S) AN ATTORNEY FOR A CHILD, APPOINTED PURSUANT TO SECTION  ONE  THOU-
SAND SIXTEEN OF THE FAMILY COURT ACT, AT ANY TIME SUCH APPOINTMENT IS IN
EFFECT,  IN  RELATION  TO  ANY  REPORT  IN  WHICH  THE RESPONDENT IN THE
PROCEEDING IN WHICH THE ATTORNEY FOR  THE  CHILD  IS  APPOINTED  IS  THE
SUBJECT  OR ANOTHER PERSON NAMED IN THE REPORT, PURSUANT TO SECTIONS ONE
THOUSAND THIRTY-NINE-A AND ONE THOUSAND FIFTY-TWO-A OF THE FAMILY  COURT
ACT;
  (T) OFFICERS AND EMPLOYEES OF THE STATE COMPTROLLER, FOR PURPOSES OF A
DULY  AUTHORIZED PERFORMANCE AUDIT, PROVIDED THAT SUCH COMPTROLLER SHALL
HAVE CERTIFIED TO THE KEEPER OF SUCH RECORDS THAT HE OR SHE  HAS  INSTI-
TUTED  PROCEDURES  DEVELOPED  IN CONSULTATION WITH THE JUSTICE CENTER TO
LIMIT ACCESS TO SERVICE RECIPIENT-IDENTIFIABLE  INFORMATION  TO  PERSONS
REQUIRING  SUCH INFORMATION FOR PURPOSES OF THE AUDIT AND THAT APPROPRI-
ATE CONTROLS AND  PROHIBITIONS  ARE  IMPOSED  ON  THE  DISSEMINATION  OF
SERVICE  RECIPIENT-IDENTIFIABLE  INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THE CONDUCT OF
THE AUDIT.
  (I) INFORMATION PERTAINING TO THE SUBSTANCE OR CONTENT OF ANY  PSYCHO-
LOGICAL,  PSYCHIATRIC,  THERAPEUTIC, CLINICAL OR MEDICAL REPORTS, EVALU-
ATIONS OR LIKE MATERIALS OR INFORMATION PERTAINING  TO  SUCH  VULNERABLE
PERSON OR SUCH PERSON'S FAMILY SHALL NOT BE MADE AVAILABLE TO SUCH OFFI-
CERS  AND  EMPLOYEES UNLESS DISCLOSURE OF SUCH INFORMATION IS ABSOLUTELY
ESSENTIAL TO THE SPECIFIC AUDIT ACTIVITY AND THE  JUSTICE  CENTER  GIVES
PRIOR WRITTEN APPROVAL.
  (II)  ANY  FAILURE  TO  MAINTAIN  THE CONFIDENTIALITY OF SERVICE RECI-
PIENT-IDENTIFIABLE INFORMATION SHALL SUBJECT SUCH COMPTROLLER OR OFFICER
TO DENIAL OF ANY FURTHER ACCESS TO RECORDS UNTIL SUCH TIME AS THE  AUDIT
AGENCY  HAS REVIEWED ITS PROCEDURES CONCERNING CONTROLS AND PROHIBITIONS
IMPOSED ON THE DISSEMINATION OF  SUCH  INFORMATION  AND  HAS  TAKEN  ALL
REASONABLE AND APPROPRIATE STEPS TO ELIMINATE SUCH LAPSES IN MAINTAINING
CONFIDENTIALITY TO THE SATISFACTION OF THE JUSTICE CENTER.  SUCH JUSTICE
CENTER  SHALL  ESTABLISH  THE  GROUNDS  FOR  DENIAL OF ACCESS TO RECORDS
CONTAINED UNDER THIS SECTION AND SHALL RECOMMEND AS NECESSARY A PLAN  OF
REMEDIATION  TO  THE AUDIT AGENCY.   EXCEPT AS PROVIDED IN THIS SECTION,
NOTHING IN THIS SUBPARAGRAPH SHALL BE CONSTRUED AS LIMITING  THE  POWERS
OF  SUCH  COMPTROLLER  OR  OFFICER  TO ACCESS RECORDS WHICH HE OR SHE IS
OTHERWISE AUTHORIZED TO AUDIT  OR  OBTAIN  UNDER  ANY  OTHER  APPLICABLE
PROVISION OF LAW;
  (U)  AN  ENTITY  WITH  APPROPRIATE LEGAL AUTHORITY IN ANOTHER STATE TO
LICENSE, CERTIFY OR OTHERWISE APPROVE PROSPECTIVE  FOSTER  AND  ADOPTIVE
PARENTS WHERE DISCLOSURE OF INFORMATION REGARDING THE PROSPECTIVE FOSTER
OR  ADOPTIVE PARENTS AND OTHER PERSONS OVER THE AGE OF EIGHTEEN RESIDING
IN THE HOME OF SUCH PROSPECTIVE PARENTS IS REQUIRED BY PARAGRAPH  TWENTY
OF SUBDIVISION (A) OF SECTION SIX HUNDRED SEVENTY-ONE OF TITLE FORTY-TWO
OF THE UNITED STATES CODE;
  (V)  A  SOCIAL SERVICES OFFICIAL WHO IS INVESTIGATING WHETHER AN ADULT
IS IN NEED OF PROTECTIVE SERVICES IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE  PROVISIONS  OF
SECTION FOUR HUNDRED SEVENTY-THREE OF THIS CHAPTER OR A CHILD IS IN NEED
OF  CHILD PROTECTIVE SERVICES PURSUANT TO THE PROVISIONS OF TITLE SIX OF

S. 7749                            42                           A. 10721

ARTICLE SIX OF THIS CHAPTER, WHEN SUCH OFFICIAL HAS REASONABLE CAUSE  TO
BELIEVE  THAT  SUCH  REPORTS  AND  INFORMATION ARE NEEDED TO FURTHER THE
PRESENT INVESTIGATION;
  (W)  FOR  REPORTS  ALLEGING ABUSE OR NEGLECT OF CHILDREN, MEMBERS OF A
CITIZEN REVIEW PANEL AS ESTABLISHED PURSUANT TO  SECTION  THREE  HUNDRED
SEVENTY-ONE-B OF THIS CHAPTER; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, SUCH MEMBERS SHALL NOT
DISCLOSE TO ANY PERSON OR GOVERNMENTAL OFFICIAL ANY IDENTIFYING INFORMA-
TION  WHICH  THE PANEL HAS BEEN PROVIDED AND SHALL NOT MAKE PUBLIC OTHER
INFORMATION UNLESS OTHERWISE AUTHORIZED BY STATUTE;
  (X) OFFICERS AND EMPLOYEES OF  THE  EDUCATION  DEPARTMENT  AND,  WHERE
APPLICABLE,  THE  DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH, FOR THE PURPOSE OF INVESTIGATING
CHARGES AND MAINTAINING PROFESSIONAL DISCIPLINE PROCEEDINGS AGAINST  THE
PROFESSIONAL LICENSE OF THE SUBJECT OF THE REPORT PURSUANT TO TITLE VIII
OF  THE  EDUCATION LAW, AND TO EMPLOYEES OF THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT FOR
THE PURPOSE OF INVESTIGATING CHARGES AND MAINTAINING GOOD MORAL  CHARAC-
TER  PROCEEDINGS  AGAINST  THE  TEACHING, SCHOOL ADMINISTRATOR OR SCHOOL
LEADER CERTIFICATE OR LICENSE OF THE SUBJECT OF THE REPORT; AND
  (Y) THE INDEPENDENT AGENCY DESIGNATED PURSUANT TO SUBDIVISION  (B)  OF
SECTION  FIVE  HUNDRED  FIFTY-EIGHT  OF THE EXECUTIVE LAW, PROVIDED THAT
SUCH INFORMATION IS RELEVANT TO A MATTER WITHIN THE LEGAL  AUTHORITY  OF
SUCH AGENCY.
  3.  (A)  THE  EXECUTIVE  DIRECTOR, IN CONSULTATION WITH THE APPLICABLE
STATE OVERSIGHT AGENCY MAY DISCLOSE INFORMATION REGARDING THE  ABUSE  OR
NEGLECT OF A VULNERABLE PERSON AS SET FORTH IN THIS SUBDIVISION, AND THE
INVESTIGATION THEREOF AND ANY SERVICES RELATED THERETO, TO PERSONS OTHER
THAN  THOSE  AUTHORIZED TO RECEIVE RECORDS UNDER SUBDIVISION TWO OF THIS
SECTION IF OTHERWISE PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE FEDERAL LAW AND  IF  HE  OR
SHE  DETERMINES  THAT  SUCH DISCLOSURE SHALL NOT BE CONTRARY TO THE BEST
INTERESTS OF THE VULNERABLE PERSON AND ANY ONE OF THE FOLLOWING  FACTORS
ARE PRESENT:
  (I)  THE  SUBJECT  OF  THE  REPORT  HAS  BEEN CHARGED IN AN ACCUSATORY
INSTRUMENT WITH COMMITTING A CRIME RELATED TO A REPORT MAINTAINED IN THE
VULNERABLE PERSONS' CENTRAL REGISTER; OR
  (II) THE INVESTIGATION OF THE  ABUSE  OR  NEGLECT  OF  THE  VULNERABLE
PERSON  OR  THE PROVISION OF SERVICES BY THE FACILITY OR PROVIDER AGENCY
HAS BEEN PUBLICLY DISCLOSED IN A REPORT REQUIRED TO BE DISCLOSED IN  THE
COURSE  OF  THEIR  OFFICIAL DUTIES, BY A LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCY OR OFFI-
CIAL, A DISTRICT ATTORNEY, ANY OTHER STATE OR LOCAL INVESTIGATIVE AGENCY
OR OFFICIAL, OR BY JUDGE OF THE UNIFIED COURT SYSTEM; OR
  (III) THERE HAS BEEN A PRIOR KNOWING, VOLUNTARY, PUBLIC DISCLOSURE  BY
AN  INDIVIDUAL  CONCERNING  A  REPORT  OF ABUSE OR NEGLECT IN WHICH SUCH
INDIVIDUAL IS NAMED AS THE SUBJECT OF THE REPORT; OR
  (IV) THE VULNERABLE PERSON NAMED IN THE REPORT HAS DIED OR THE  REPORT
INVOLVES  THE  NEAR FATALITY OF A VULNERABLE PERSON. FOR THE PURPOSES OF
THIS SECTION, "NEAR FATALITY" MEANS AN ACT THAT RESULTS IN  THE  VULNER-
ABLE  PERSON  BEING  PLACED,  AS CERTIFIED BY A PHYSICIAN, IN SERIOUS OR
CRITICAL CONDITION.
  (B) FOR THE PURPOSES OF THIS SUBDIVISION, ONLY THE FOLLOWING  INFORMA-
TION MAY BE DISCLOSED:
  (I) THE NAME OF THE ABUSED OR NEGLECTED VULNERABLE PERSON;
  (II)  THE  DETERMINATION  BY  THE JUSTICE CENTER AND THE FINDINGS UPON
WHICH SUCH DETERMINATION WAS BASED;
  (III) IDENTIFICATION OF SERVICES PROVIDED OR ACTIONS,  IF  ANY,  TAKEN
REGARDING THE VULNERABLE PERSON NAMED IN THE REPORT AND HIS OR HER FAMI-
LY AS A RESULT OF ANY SUCH REPORT OR REPORTS;

S. 7749                            43                           A. 10721

  (IV)  WHETHER ANY REPORT OF ABUSE OR NEGLECT REGARDING SUCH VULNERABLE
PERSON HAS BEEN "SUBSTANTIATED" AS MAINTAINED BY THE VULNERABLE PERSONS'
CENTRAL REGISTER;
  (V) ANY ACTIONS TAKEN BY THE STATE OVERSIGHT AGENCY OR THE FACILITY OR
PROVIDER  AGENCY  IN  RESPONSE  TO  REPORTS  OF  ABUSE OR NEGLECT OF THE
VULNERABLE PERSON TO THE VULNERABLE PERSONS' CENTRAL REGISTER, INCLUDING
BUT NOT LIMITED TO ACTIONS TAKEN AFTER EACH AND EVERY REPORT OF ABUSE OR
NEGLECT OF SUCH PERSON AND THE DATES OF SUCH REPORTS; AND
  (VI) ANY EXTRAORDINARY OR PERTINENT INFORMATION CONCERNING THE CIRCUM-
STANCES OF THE ABUSE OR NEGLECT OF THE VULNERABLE PERSON AND THE  INVES-
TIGATION THEREOF, WHERE THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, IN CONSULTATION WITH THE
COMMISSIONER  OF  THE  APPLICABLE STATE OVERSIGHT AGENCY DETERMINES SUCH
DISCLOSURE IS CONSISTENT WITH THE PUBLIC INTEREST.
  (C) INFORMATION MAY BE  DISCLOSED  PURSUANT  TO  THIS  SUBDIVISION  AS
FOLLOWS:
  (I)  INFORMATION RELEASED PRIOR TO THE COMPLETION OF THE INVESTIGATION
OF A REPORT SHALL BE LIMITED TO A STATEMENT  THAT  A  REPORT  IS  "UNDER
INVESTIGATION";
  (II)  WHEN THERE HAS BEEN A PRIOR DISCLOSURE PURSUANT TO PARAGRAPH (A)
OF THIS SUBDIVISION, INFORMATION RELEASED IN A CASE IN WHICH THE  INVES-
TIGATION  OF THE REPORT HAS BEEN COMPLETED BUT NOT SUBSTANTIATED, INFOR-
MATION SHALL BE LIMITED TO THE STATEMENT  THAT  "THE  INVESTIGATION  HAS
BEEN COMPLETED AND THE REPORT HAS BEEN UNSUBSTANTIATED";
  (III)  IF  THE REPORT HAS BEEN "SUBSTANTIATED" THEN INFORMATION MAY BE
RELEASED PURSUANT TO PARAGRAPH (A) OF THIS SUBDIVISION.
  (D) ANY DISCLOSURE OF INFORMATION PURSUANT TO THIS  SUBDIVISION  SHALL
BE  CONSISTENT WITH THE PROVISIONS OF PARAGRAPH (B) OF THIS SUBDIVISION.
SUCH DISCLOSURE SHALL NOT IDENTIFY OR PROVIDE AN IDENTIFYING DESCRIPTION
OF THE SOURCE OF THE REPORT, AND SHALL NOT  IDENTIFY  THE  NAME  OF  THE
ABUSED OR NEGLECTED VULNERABLE PERSON'S SIBLINGS OR CHILDREN, THE PARENT
OR OTHER PERSON LEGALLY RESPONSIBLE FOR SUCH PERSON OR ANY OTHER MEMBERS
OF SUCH PERSON'S HOUSEHOLD.
  (E)  IN  DETERMINING,  PURSUANT  TO PARAGRAPH (A) OF THIS SUBDIVISION,
WHETHER DISCLOSURE WILL BE CONTRARY TO THE BEST INTERESTS OF THE VULNER-
ABLE PERSON, THE EXECUTIVE  DIRECTOR  SHALL  CONSIDER  THE  INTEREST  IN
PRIVACY OF THE VULNERABLE PERSON AND SUCH PERSON'S SIBLINGS OR CHILDREN,
THE  PARENT  OR  OTHER PERSON LEGALLY RESPONSIBLE FOR SUCH PERSON OR ANY
OTHER MEMBERS OF SUCH PERSON'S HOUSEHOLD.
  (F) EXCEPT AS IT APPLIES DIRECTLY TO THE CAUSE OF THE ABUSE OR NEGLECT
OF THE VULNERABLE PERSON, NOTHING IN THIS SUBDIVISION SHALL BE DEEMED TO
AUTHORIZE THE RELEASE OR DISCLOSURE OF THE SUBSTANCE OR CONTENT  OF  ANY
PSYCHOLOGICAL,  PSYCHIATRIC,  THERAPEUTIC,  CLINICAL OR MEDICAL REPORTS,
EVALUATIONS OR LIKE MATERIALS OR INFORMATION PERTAINING TO  SUCH  PERSON
OR  SUCH  PERSON'S FAMILY. ANY SUCH INFORMATION THAT APPLIES DIRECTLY TO
THE CAUSE OF THE ABUSE OR  NEGLECT  OF  THE  VULNERABLE  PERSON  MAY  BE
DISCLOSED  ONLY  IF DISCLOSURE IS NOT OTHERWISE RESTRICTED BY APPLICABLE
FEDERAL OR STATE LAWS.
  4. A PERSON GIVEN ACCESS TO THE NAMES OR OTHER INFORMATION IDENTIFYING
THE SUBJECT OF THE REPORT OR OTHER PERSONS NAMED IN THE REPORT SHALL NOT
DIVULGE OR MAKE PUBLIC SUCH IDENTIFYING INFORMATION UNLESS HE OR SHE  IS
A DISTRICT ATTORNEY OR OTHER LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICIAL AND THE PURPOSE IS
TO  INITIATE  COURT  ACTION OR THE DISCLOSURE IS NECESSARY IN CONNECTION
WITH THE INVESTIGATION OR PROSECUTION OF THE SUBJECT OF THE REPORT FOR A
CRIME ALLEGED TO HAVE BEEN COMMITTED  BY  THE  SUBJECT  AGAINST  ANOTHER
PERSON  NAMED IN THE REPORT.  NOTHING IN THIS SECTION SHALL BE CONSTRUED
TO PERMIT ANY RELEASE, DISCLOSURE OR  IDENTIFICATION  OF  THE  NAMES  OR

S. 7749                            44                           A. 10721

IDENTIFYING DESCRIPTIONS OF PERSONS WHO HAVE REPORTED SUSPECTED ABUSE OR
NEGLECT  TO  THE VULNERABLE PERSONS' CENTRAL REGISTER OR THE STATE OVER-
SIGHT AGENCY, FACILITY OR PROVIDER AGENCY OR  OTHER  ENTITY  WHERE  SUCH
PERSONS  ARE  EMPLOYED  OR  WITH  WHICH THEY ARE ASSOCIATED WITHOUT SUCH
PERSONS' WRITTEN PERMISSION EXCEPT TO PERSONS, OFFICIALS,  AND  AGENCIES
ENUMERATED  IN  PARAGRAPHS (F), (G), (L), (M) AND (V) OF SUBDIVISION TWO
OF THIS SECTION.   TO THE EXTENT THAT  PERSONS  OR  AGENCIES  ARE  GIVEN
ACCESS  TO  INFORMATION  PURSUANT TO PARAGRAPHS (C), (D), (E), (K), (L),
(M), (N) AND (P) OF SUBDIVISION TWO OF THIS  SECTION,  SUCH  PERSONS  OR
AGENCIES MAY GIVE AND RECEIVE SUCH INFORMATION TO EACH OTHER IN ORDER TO
FACILITATE  AN INVESTIGATION CONDUCTED, OR THE PROVISION OF SERVICES, BY
SUCH PERSONS OR AGENCIES.
  5. NOTWITHSTANDING ANY CONTRARY  PROVISION  OF  THIS  SECTION,  MENTAL
HYGIENE  LEGAL  SERVICE  SHALL  HAVE  ACCESS  TO ALL INFORMATION, BOOKS,
RECORDS AND DATA AS PROVIDED FOR IN SUBDIVISION (D) OF SECTION 47.03  OF
THE MENTAL HYGIENE LAW.
  S  497.  IMMUNITY  FROM LIABILITY. ANY PERSON PARTICIPATING REASONABLY
AND IN GOOD FAITH IN MAKING A REPORT, TAKING PHOTOGRAPHS, CONDUCTING  OR
OVERSEEING  AN  INVESTIGATION, OPERATING THE VULNERABLE PERSONS' CENTRAL
REGISTER OR DISCLOSING INFORMATION IN COMPLIANCE WITH THIS ARTICLE SHALL
HAVE IMMUNITY FROM ANY LIABILITY, CIVIL OR CRIMINAL, THAT  MIGHT  OTHER-
WISE  RESULT  BY REASON OF SUCH ACTIONS. FOR THE PURPOSE OF ANY PROCEED-
ING, CIVIL OR CRIMINAL, THE GOOD FAITH OF ANY SUCH  PERSON  REQUIRED  TO
PERFORM  ANY  OF SUCH FUNCTIONS IN ACCORDANCE WITH THIS ARTICLE SHALL BE
PRESUMED, PROVIDED SUCH PERSON, WAS ACTING IN DISCHARGE OF  HIS  OR  HER
DUTIES  AND  WITHIN  THE  SCOPE OF HIS OR HER EMPLOYMENT OR RESPONSIBIL-
ITIES, AND THAT SUCH LIABILITY DID NOT RESULT FROM THE  WILLFUL  MISCON-
DUCT OR GROSS NEGLIGENCE OF SUCH PERSON.
  S  2.    This  act shall take effect June 30, 2013; provided, however,
that, effective immediately, any actions necessary for  the  implementa-
tion  of  this act on its effective date, and the addition, amendment or
repeal of any rule or regulation necessary  for  the  implementation  of
this act on its effective date, are authorized to be taken or made on or
before such date.

                                 PART C

  Section  1.  Subdivisions  6  and  7 of section 677 of the county law,
subdivision 6 as amended by chapter 491 of the laws of 1987, subdivision
7 as added by chapter 477 of the laws  of  1979  and  paragraph  (a)  of
subdivision 7 as amended by chapter 330 of the laws of 1993, are amended
to read as follows:
  6. The coroner, coroner's physician or medical examiner shall promptly
provide  the  chairman  of  the  correction medical review board and the
commissioner of correctional services with copies of any autopsy report,
toxicological report  or  any  report  of  any  examination  or  inquiry
prepared  with  respect to any death occurring to an inmate of a correc-
tional facility as defined by subdivision three of section forty of  the
correction  law within his county; AND SHALL PROMPTLY PROVIDE THE EXECU-
TIVE DIRECTOR OF THE JUSTICE CENTER FOR THE PROTECTION  OF  PEOPLE  WITH
SPECIAL  NEEDS  WITH  COPIES OF ANY AUTOPSY REPORT, TOXICOLOGY REPORT OR
ANY REPORT OF ANY EXAMINATION OR INQUIRY PREPARED WITH  RESPECT  TO  THE
DEATH  OF ANY SERVICE RECIPIENT OCCURRING WHILE HE OR SHE WAS A RESIDENT
IN ANY FACILITY OPERATED, LICENSED OR CERTIFIED BY ANY AGENCY WITHIN THE
DEPARTMENT  OF  MENTAL  HYGIENE,  THE  OFFICE  OF  CHILDREN  AND  FAMILY
SERVICES,  THE  DEPARTMENT  OF HEALTH OR THE STATE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT.

S. 7749                            45                           A. 10721

If the toxicological report is prepared pursuant  to  any  agreement  or
contract with any person, partnership, corporation or governmental agen-
cy  with  the coroner or medical examiner, such report shall be promptly
provided  to  the  chairman  of the correction medical review board [and
to], the commissioner of correctional services OR THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
OF THE JUSTICE CENTER FOR PEOPLE WITH SPECIAL NEEDS, AS APPROPRIATE,  by
such person, partnership, corporation or governmental agency.
  7.  (a) Upon the written request of the commissioner of mental health,
the commissioner of [mental retardation and] THE OFFICE FOR PERSONS WITH
developmental disabilities, the director of  the  mental  hygiene  legal
service,  [the  chairman  of  the  commission on quality of care for the
mentally disabled] THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE JUSTICE CENTER FOR  THE
PROTECTION  OF  PEOPLE  WITH  SPECIAL  NEEDS or the director of a mental
hygiene facility, as defined in SUBDIVISION TWO OF section [45.01]  FIVE
HUNDRED  FIFTY  of  the  [mental  hygiene]  EXECUTIVE  law, at which the
deceased was a patient or resident, the coroner, coroner's physician  or
medical  examiner  shall  provide such person with a copy of all reports
and records, including, but not limited to, autopsy reports and  toxico-
logical  reports  related to the deceased prepared by a person, partner-
ship, corporation or governmental agency pursuant to  any  agreement  or
contract  with the coroner or medical examiner with respect to the death
of a patient or resident receiving services [for a mental disability] at
such a mental hygiene facility.
  (b) Upon the written request of the commissioner of mental health,  or
commissioner  of [mental retardation and] developmental disabilities, or
a director of a departmental facility as defined in section 1.03 of  the
mental  hygiene  law,  or  the [chairman of the commission on quality of
care for the mentally disabled] EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE JUSTICE CENTER
FOR THE PROTECTION OF PEOPLE WITH SPECIAL NEEDS, the coroner,  coroner's
physician  or  medical  examiner  shall transmit to the commissioner, or
such director, [or chairman,] or any  member  of  the  [mental  hygiene]
JUSTICE  CENTER medical review board [designated by the chairman of such
commission], original autopsy slides,  tissue  materials  and  specimens
taken  from  the  body  of  a deceased patient or resident as defined in
paragraph (a) of this section. Such original materials may be  used  and
tested  by  such  office  of  the  department of mental hygiene, or such
director, and [mental  hygiene]  JUSTICE  CENTER  medical  review  board
pursuant  to  its authority under section [45.17] FIVE HUNDRED FIFTY-SIX
of the [mental hygiene] EXECUTIVE law.  Such slides, materials and spec-
imens may be retained for a reasonable time, and shall  be  returned  to
the office of the coroner or medical examiner in good condition allowing
for reasonable use for study and testing purposes.
  S  2.  Subdivisions  (a) and (d) of section 7.09 of the mental hygiene
law, subdivision (a) as added by chapter 978 of the  laws  of  1977  and
subdivision (d) as added by chapter 477 of the laws of 1979, are amended
to read as follows:
  (a)  The  commissioner shall exercise all powers vested in the office.
He may delegate any function, power, or duty assigned to him or  to  the
office  of  mental  health  to a director of a facility operated by such
office or to any other officer or employee of such office, unless other-
wise provided by law. He may enter into agreements  with  the  EXECUTIVE
DIRECTOR OF THE JUSTICE CENTER FOR THE PROTECTION OF PEOPLE WITH SPECIAL
NEEDS  OR  THE  other commissioners of the department in order to ensure
that programs and services are provided for all of  the  mentally  disa-
bled.

S. 7749                            46                           A. 10721

  (d)  The  commissioner  and directors of office facilities may request
and upon such request the coroner, coroner's physician or medical  exam-
iner  shall  provide  to such persons access to original autopsy slides,
tissue materials and specimens derived from any autopsy or inquiry  with
respect to the death of a patient or resident in a mental hygiene facil-
ity,  as  defined  in [section 45.01 of this chapter] SUBDIVISION TWO OF
SECTION FIVE HUNDRED FIFTY OF THE EXECUTIVE LAW. Such original materials
shall be preserved intact, except for unavoidable changes due to  neces-
sary scientific testing, and shall be returned to the coroner, coroner's
physician or medical examiner.
  S  3.  Subdivision  (b)  of section 7.21 of the mental hygiene law, as
amended by chapter 558 of the laws  of  2011,  is  amended  to  read  as
follows:
  (b)  Such  director shall have the responsibility of seeing that there
is humane treatment of the patients at his OR  HER  facility  and  shall
investigate, OR CAUSE TO BE INVESTIGATED, every [case of alleged patient
abuse  or  mistreatment]  REPORTABLE INCIDENT IN ACCORDANCE WITH ARTICLE
ELEVEN OF THE SOCIAL SERVICES LAW. ALSO IN ACCORDANCE WITH ARTICLE ELEV-
EN OF THE SOCIAL SERVICES LAW, THE DIRECTOR SHALL REQUIRE ALLEGATIONS OF
REPORTABLE INCIDENTS TO BE REPORTED TO THE VULNERABLE  PERSONS'  CENTRAL
REGISTER, WHICH SHALL SCREEN AND IMMEDIATELY FORWARD REPORTS THAT APPEAR
TO  ALLEGE CRIMES TO THE APPROPRIATE LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCY. The [direc-
tor] VULNERABLE PERSONS' CENTRAL REGISTER shall notify immediately,  and
in  any  event  within  three working days, the board of visitors of the
facility and the mental hygiene legal service located in the same  judi-
cial  department  as  the  hospital,  school,  or  institution  of every
complaint of patient abuse or [mistreatment] NEGLECT  and  shall  inform
the  board  and  the  mental hygiene legal service of the results of his
investigation. [If it appears that a crime may have been committed,  the
director  shall  give  notice  thereof to the district attorney or other
appropriate law enforcement official as soon as  possible,  and  in  any
event  within  three  working  days  unless  it  appears  that the crime
includes an employee,  intern,  volunteer,  consultant,  contractor,  or
visitor  and  the  alleged conduct caused physical injury or the patient
was subject to unauthorized sexual contact, or if it appears  the  crime
is  endangering  the  welfare  of  an incompetent or physically disabled
person pursuant to section 260.25 of the penal law, or if the crime  was
any  felony  under  state  or federal law, then the district attorney or
other appropriate law enforcement official must be contacted  immediate-
ly, and in any event no later than twenty-four hours.]
  S  4.  Subdivisions (a) and (c) of section 13.09 of the mental hygiene
law, subdivision (a) as added by chapter 978 of the  laws  of  1977  and
subdivision (c) as added by chapter 477 of the laws of 1979, are amended
to read as follows:
  (a)  The  commissioner shall exercise all powers vested in the office.
He OR SHE may delegate any function, power, or duty assigned to  him  OR
HER  or  to  the office to any officer or employee of the office, unless
otherwise provided by law. He OR SHE  may  enter  into  agreements  with
other  commissioners  of the department in order to ensure that programs
and services are provided for all of the mentally disabled.
  (c) The commissioner and directors of office  facilities  may  request
and  upon such request the coroner, coroner's physician or medical exam-
iner shall provide to such persons access to  original  autopsy  slides,
tissue  materials and specimens derived from any autopsy or inquiry with
respect to the death of a patient or resident in a mental hygiene facil-
ity, as defined in [section 45.01 of this chapter]  SUBDIVISION  TWO  OF

S. 7749                            47                           A. 10721

SECTION FIVE HUNDRED FIFTY OF THE EXECUTIVE LAW. Such original materials
shall  be preserved intact, except for unavoidable changes due to neces-
sary scientific testing and shall be returned to the coroner,  coroner's
physician or medical examiner.
  S  5.  Subdivision  (b) of section 13.21 of the mental hygiene law, as
amended by section 3 of part J of chapter 56 of the  laws  of  2012,  is
amended to read as follows:
  (b)  Such directors shall have the responsibility of seeing that there
is humane  treatment  of  individuals  with  developmental  disabilities
receiving  services in settings operated, licensed, certified, funded or
approved by this office AND SHALL INVESTIGATE, OR CAUSE TO  BE  INVESTI-
GATED,  EVERY  REPORTABLE  INCIDENT IN ACCORDANCE WITH ARTICLE ELEVEN OF
THE SOCIAL SERVICES LAW. ALSO IN ACCORDANCE WITH ARTICLE ELEVEN  OF  THE
SOCIAL  SERVICES  LAW, THE DIRECTOR SHALL REQUIRE ALLEGATIONS OF REPORT-
ABLE INCIDENTS TO BE REPORTED TO THE VULNERABLE PERSONS' CENTRAL  REGIS-
TER,  WHICH  SHALL SCREEN AND IMMEDIATELY FORWARD REPORTS THAT APPEAR TO
ALLEGE CRIMES TO THE APPROPRIATE LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCY. [A director  of
a  state  operations  office]  THE  VULNERABLE PERSONS' CENTRAL REGISTER
shall notify immediately, and in any event within  three  working  days,
the  board  of  visitors  of  the  facility and the mental hygiene legal
service located in the same judicial department as the state  operations
office  of  every  complaint  of patient abuse or mistreatment and shall
inform the board and the mental hygiene legal service of the results  of
his  or  her  investigation.  [If  it appears that a crime may have been
committed, such state operations director shall give notice  thereof  to
the  district  attorney or other appropriate law enforcement official as
soon as possible, and in any event within three working days  unless  it
appears that the crime includes an employee, intern, volunteer, consult-
ant,  contractor,  or  visitor  and  the alleged conduct caused physical
injury or the patient was subject to unauthorized sexual contact, or  if
it  appears  the  crime  is endangering the welfare of an incompetent or
physically disabled person pursuant to section 260.25 of the penal  law,
or  if  the  crime  was  any felony under state or federal law, then the
district attorney or other appropriate law enforcement official must  be
contacted  immediately,  and  in  any  event  no  later than twenty-four
hours.]
  S 6. Subdivision 2 of section 13.34  of  the  mental  hygiene  law  is
REPEALED  and  subdivisions 3, 4, 5 and 6 are renumbered subdivisions 2,
3, 4 and 5.
  S 7.  Subdivisions 1 and 2 of section 13.34 of the mental hygiene law,
subdivision 1 as amended by section 16 of part J of chapter  56  of  the
laws  of  2012,  subdivision  2 as amended by chapter 542 of the laws of
2011 and such subdivision as renumbered by section six of this act,  are
amended to read as follows:
  1.  There  shall  be  at  each developmental center facility listed in
section 13.17 of this article, an ombudsman who shall be an employee  of
the  [commission  on quality of care and advocacy for persons with disa-
bilities] JUSTICE CENTER FOR THE PROTECTION OF PEOPLE WITH SPECIAL NEEDS
under article [forty-five] TWENTY of [this chapter]  THE  EXECUTIVE  LAW
and  who  shall  be  responsible  for  receiving  and  responding to any
complaints regarding [individual clients] INDIVIDUALS RECEIVING SERVICES
residing in such facility. The ombudsman shall have the following powers
and duties:
  i. to advise and consult with INDIVIDUALS RECEIVING SERVICES, parents,
guardians, correspondents and other interested persons with  respect  to

S. 7749                            48                           A. 10721

any  complaints,  or issues related to [the conditions of clients' resi-
dents] INDIVIDUALS RECEIVING SERVICES;
  ii. to review and attempt to remedy specific complaints with responsi-
ble and appropriate staff;
  iii.  where  it appears that care has not been rendered as required by
applicable standards to refer the complaint to the appropriate agency or
body for its attention;
  iv. to receive and keep confidential  any  complaint,  information  or
inquiry from any source. The records of the ombudsman shall be confiden-
tial, and shall not be available to the public;
  v.  to  advise  and  consult  with the board of visitors served by the
ombudsman with respect to any complaints or issues relating  to  [condi-
tions  of  client's residence] INDIVIDUALS RECEIVING SERVICES, treatment
and care and to regularly attend the meetings of such board; and
  vi. to meet with the commissioner, or a representative of the  commis-
sioner,  on  a  quarterly basis regarding systemic issues in the ombuds-
man's jurisdiction.
  2. The ombudsman shall be afforded initial training and orientation by
the [commission on quality of care and advocacy for persons  with  disa-
bilities]  JUSTICE  CENTER  FOR  THE  PROTECTION  OF PEOPLE WITH SPECIAL
NEEDS.
  S 8. Subdivision (b) of section 16.13 of the  mental  hygiene  law  is
REPEALED and a new subdivision (b) is added to read as follows:
  (B)  MAKING  REPORTS OF ALLEGATIONS OF REPORTABLE INCIDENTS IN ACCORD-
ANCE WITH ARTICLE ELEVEN OF THE SOCIAL SERVICES LAW  TO  THE  VULNERABLE
PERSONS'  CENTRAL  REGISTER,  WHICH SHALL SCREEN AND IMMEDIATELY FORWARD
REPORTS THAT APPEAR TO ALLEGE CRIMES TO THE APPROPRIATE LAW  ENFORCEMENT
AGENCY.
  S 9. Section 16.29 of the mental hygiene law, as amended by chapter 24
of  the  laws  of  2007, subdivision (b) as amended by chapter 37 of the
laws of 2011, is amended to read as follows:
S 16.29 [Child  abuse  and  maltreatment  in  residential  care]  ABUSE,
           NEGLECT,   AND  SIGNIFICANT  INCIDENTS  INVOLVING  VULNERABLE
           PERSONS.
  (a) The commissioner, IN CONSULTATION WITH THE EXECUTIVE  DIRECTOR  OF
THE  JUSTICE  CENTER  FOR  THE  PROTECTION OF PEOPLE WITH SPECIAL NEEDS,
shall promulgate regulations establishing standards for  the  protection
of  [children  in residential] SERVICE RECIPIENTS IN THE care OF FACILI-
TIES AND PROVIDER AGENCIES OPERATED, LICENSED OR CERTIFIED BY THE OFFICE
from [abuse and maltreatment] REPORTABLE INCIDENTS PURSUANT  TO  ARTICLE
ELEVEN OF THE SOCIAL SERVICES LAW, including procedures for:
  (1)  [reviewing  and  evaluating  the  backgrounds  of and information
supplied by any person applying  to  be  an  employee,  a  volunteer  or
consultant,]  consistent  with  appropriate collective bargaining agree-
ments and applicable provisions of the civil service law[.  Such  review
and  evaluation  shall  include  but  not  be  limited  to the following
requirements: that the applicant set forth his or her employment  histo-
ry, provide personal and employment references and relevant experiential
and  educational information and, sign a sworn statement whether, to the
best of his or her knowledge, he or she has ever  been  convicted  of  a
crime  in  this  state or any other jurisdiction], ASSISTING THE JUSTICE
CENTER FOR THE PROTECTION OF PEOPLE WITH SPECIAL NEEDS WITH  ITS  REVIEW
AND  EVALUATION  OF CRIMINAL BACKGROUND CHECKS OF PROSPECTIVE EMPLOYEES,
AS SET FORTH IN SUBDIVISION FIVE OF SECTION FIVE HUNDRED FIFTY-THREE  OF
THE EXECUTIVE LAW;

S. 7749                            49                           A. 10721

  (2)  establishing  minimal experiential and educational qualifications
for employees that are consistent with appropriate collective bargaining
agreements and applicable provisions of the civil service law;
  (3) assuring adequate and appropriate supervision of employees, volun-
teers and consultants;
  (4) demonstrating that appropriate action is taken to assure the safe-
ty  of  [the  child  who  is  reported  to the state central register] A
SERVICE RECIPIENT as well as other [children]  PERSONS  in  care,  imme-
diately upon notification that a [report of child abuse or maltreatment]
REPORTABLE INCIDENT has been made [with respect to a child in a residen-
tial  facility] IN ACCORDANCE WITH ARTICLE ELEVEN OF THE SOCIAL SERVICES
LAW;
  (4-A) CONSISTENT WITH  APPLICABLE  COLLECTIVE  BARGAINING  AGREEMENTS,
ASSURING THAT AN INDIVIDUAL WHO HAS COMMITTED A CATEGORY ONE OFFENSE, AS
DEFINED  IN  PARAGRAPH  (A)  OF SUBDIVISION FOUR OF SECTION FOUR HUNDRED
NINETY-THREE OF THE SOCIAL SERVICES LAW, THAT IS INCLUDED ON THE VULNER-
ABLE PERSONS' CENTRAL REGISTER IS NOT HIRED OR  OTHERWISE  USED  IN  ANY
POSITION  IN  WHICH  SUCH  INDIVIDUAL WOULD HAVE REGULAR AND SUBSTANTIAL
CONTACT WITH A SERVICE RECIPIENT IN ANY PROGRAM  OPERATED,  LICENSED  OR
CERTIFIED BY THE OFFICE;
  (5)  removing  a  [child] SERVICE RECIPIENT when it is determined that
there is a risk to such [child] PERSON if he or she continues to  remain
in a [residential] facility; and
  (6) taking appropriate preventive and remedial action, including legal
action, consistent with appropriate collective bargaining agreements and
applicable  provisions of the civil service law. [Such] THE COMMISSIONER
SHALL ADOPT standards [shall also establish as  a  priority]  AS  ESTAB-
LISHED  BY  THE JUSTICE CENTER FOR THE PROTECTION OF PEOPLE WITH SPECIAL
NEEDS, that:
  (i) administrators,  employees,  volunteers  and  consultants  receive
training  in  at least the following: [child] abuse prevention and iden-
tification, safety and security  procedures,  the  principles  of  child
development, the characteristics of [children] PERSONS in care and tech-
niques  of  group  [and child] management including crisis intervention,
the laws, regulations and procedures governing the protection of  [chil-
dren]  VULNERABLE PERSONS from [abuse and maltreatment] REPORTABLE INCI-
DENTS, and other appropriate topics provided, however, that  the  office
may  exempt  administrators  and consultants from such requirements upon
demonstration of substantially equivalent knowledge or experience; and
  (ii) [children] SERVICE RECIPIENTS receive instruction consistent with
their age, needs and circumstances as well  as  the  needs  and  circum-
stances  within  the  facility  or program, in techniques and procedures
which will enable [such children] THEM to  ADVOCATE  AND  protect  them-
selves from [abuse and maltreatment] REPORTABLE INCIDENTS.
  The  commissioner,  IN CONSULTATION WITH THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE
JUSTICE CENTER FOR THE PROTECTION OF PEOPLE WITH  SPECIAL  NEEDS,  shall
take  all  reasonable  and  necessary  actions to assure that employees,
volunteers and consultants in [residential care] facilities OPERATED  OR
OVERSEEN BY THE OFFICE are kept apprised on a current basis of all poli-
cies  and  procedures of the office relating to the protection of [chil-
dren from abuse and maltreatment] VULNERABLE PERSONS, and shall  monitor
and  supervise the provision of training to such administrators, employ-
ees, volunteers, children and consultants. Standards developed  pursuant
to  this  subdivision  shall, to the extent possible, be consistent with
those promulgated by other state agencies for such purposes.

S. 7749                            50                           A. 10721

  (b) The commissioner shall provide necessary assistance to the  [state
commission  on  quality  of care and advocacy for persons with disabili-
ties] JUSTICE CENTER FOR THE PROTECTION OF PEOPLE WITH SPECIAL NEEDS  in
the  conduct  of investigations pursuant to [section 45.07 of this chap-
ter] ARTICLE ELEVEN OF THE EXECUTIVE LAW, shall consider its recommenda-
tions  for  appropriate  preventive  and remedial action including legal
actions, and shall provide or direct a residential facility licensed  or
operated  by  the  office  for people with developmental disabilities to
provide written reports thereon to the [commission] JUSTICE CENTER as to
the implementation of plans of prevention and  remediation  approved  by
such office.
  (c) The commissioner shall provide for the development and implementa-
tion  of  a plan of prevention and remediation with respect to [an indi-
cated] A SUBSTANTIATED report of [child abuse or maltreatment] A REPORT-
ABLE INCIDENT.  Such action shall include:
  (i) within ten days of  receipt  of  [an  indicated]  A  SUBSTANTIATED
report  of [child abuse or maltreatment] A REPORTABLE INCIDENT, develop-
ment and implementation of a plan of prevention and  remediation  to  be
taken [with respect to a custodian or the residential facility in order]
to  assure  the continued health [and], safety AND WELFARE of [children]
SERVICE RECIPIENTS and to provide for the prevention of future  acts  of
[abuse or maltreatment] REPORTABLE INCIDENTS; and
  (ii)  development and implementation of a plan of prevention and reme-
diation, in the event an investigation of a report of AN alleged  [child
abuse or maltreatment determines that some credible evidence of abuse or
maltreatment]  REPORTABLE  INCIDENT  exists and such [abuse or maltreat-
ment] REPORTABLE INCIDENT may be attributed  in  whole  or  in  part  to
noncompliance  by  the  facility  with the provisions of this chapter or
regulations of the office applicable to the operation of such  [residen-
tial]  facility.  Any  plan of prevention and remediation required to be
developed pursuant to this subdivision by a facility supervised  by  the
office  shall  be submitted to and approved by such office in accordance
with time limits established by regulations of such office.  Implementa-
tion of the plan shall be monitored by such  office.  In  reviewing  the
continued  qualifications  of  a  residential facility or program for an
operating certificate, the office shall evaluate such facility's compli-
ance with plans of prevention and remediation developed and  implemented
pursuant to this subdivision.
  S  10. Section 31.30 of the mental hygiene law, as added by chapter 24
of the laws of 2007, is amended to read as follows:
S 31.30 [Child  abuse  and  maltreatment  in  residential  care]  ABUSE,
           NEGLECT,   AND  SIGNIFICANT  INCIDENTS  INVOLVING  VULNERABLE
           PERSONS.
  (a) The commissioner IN CONSULTATION WITH THE  EXECUTIVE  DIRECTOR  OF
THE  JUSTICE  CENTER  FOR  THE  PROTECTION OF PEOPLE WITH SPECIAL NEEDS,
shall promulgate regulations establishing standards for  the  protection
of  [children  in  residential]  SERVICE  RECIPIENTS  IN  THE  care [and
maltreatment] OF FACILITIES AND PROVIDER AGENCIES OPERATED, LICENSED  OR
CERTIFIED  BY  THE  OFFICE FROM REPORTABLE INCIDENTS PURSUANT TO ARTICLE
ELEVEN OF THE SOCIAL SERVICES LAW, including procedures for:
  1. [reviewing  and  evaluating  the  backgrounds  of  and  information
supplied  by  any  person  applying  to  be  an employee, a volunteer or
consultant,] consistent with appropriate  collective  bargaining  agree-
ments  and  applicable provisions of the civil service law[. Such review
and evaluation shall include, but  not  be  limited  to,  the  following
requirements:  that the applicant set forth his or her employment histo-

S. 7749                            51                           A. 10721

ry, provide personal and employment references and relevant experiential
and educational information and, sign a sworn statement whether, to  the
best  of  his  or  her knowledge, he or she has ever been convicted of a
crime  in  this  state or any other jurisdiction], ASSISTING THE JUSTICE
CENTER FOR THE PROTECTION OF PEOPLE WITH SPECIAL NEEDS WITH  ITS  REVIEW
AND  EVALUATION OF  CRIMINAL BACKGROUND CHECKS OF PROSPECTIVE EMPLOYEES,
AS SET FORTH IN SUBDIVISION FIVE OF SECTION FIVE HUNDRED FIFTY-THREE  OF
THE EXECUTIVE LAW;
  2.  establishing  minimal  experiential and educational qualifications
for employees that are consistent with appropriate collective bargaining
agreements and applicable provisions of the civil service law;
  3. assuring adequate and appropriate supervision of employees,  volun-
teers and consultants;
  4. demonstrating that appropriate action is taken to assure the safety
of  the  [child  who  is reported to the state central register] SERVICE
RECIPIENT as well as other [children] PERSONS in care, immediately  upon
notification  that  a [report of child abuse or maltreatment] REPORTABLE
INCIDENT has been made [with respect to a child's custodian in  a  resi-
dential  facility]  IN  ACCORDANCE  WITH  ARTICLE  ELEVEN  OF THE SOCIAL
SERVICES LAW;
  4-A.   CONSISTENT WITH  APPLICABLE  COLLECTIVE  BARGAINING  AGREEMENTS
ASSURING THAT AN INDIVIDUAL WHO HAS COMMITTED A CATEGORY ONE OFFENSE, AS
DEFINED  IN  PARAGRAPH  (A)  OF SUBDIVISION FOUR OF SECTION FOUR HUNDRED
NINETY-THREE OF THE SOCIAL SERVICES LAW, THAT IS INCLUDED ON THE VULNER-
ABLE PERSONS' CENTRAL REGISTER IS NOT HIRED OR  OTHERWISE  USED  IN  ANY
POSITION  IN  WHICH  SUCH  INDIVIDUAL WOULD HAVE REGULAR AND SUBSTANTIAL
CONTACT WITH A SERVICE RECIPIENT IN ANY PROGRAM  OPERATED,  LICENSED  OR
CERTIFIED BY THE OFFICE;
  5.  removing  a  [child]  SERVICE RECIPIENT when it is determined that
there is risk to such [child] PERSON if he or she continues to remain in
a [residential] facility; and
  6. taking appropriate preventive and remedial actions, including legal
action, consistent with appropriate collective bargaining agreements and
applicable provisions of the civil service law. [Such] THE  COMMISSIONER
SHALL  ADOPT  standards  [shall  also  establish]  AS ESTABLISHED BY THE
JUSTICE CENTER FOR THE PROTECTION OF PEOPLE WITH SPECIAL NEEDS, that:
  (i) administrators,  employees,  volunteers  and  consultants  receive
training  in  at least the following: [child] abuse prevention and iden-
tification, safety and security  procedures,  the  principles  of  child
development, the characteristics of [children] PERSONS in care and tech-
niques  of  group  [and child] management including crisis intervention,
the laws, rules and regulations and procedures governing the  protection
of  [children] VULNERABLE PERSONS from [abuse and maltreatment,] REPORT-
ABLE INCIDENTS and other appropriate  topics;  provided,  however,  that
[either]  THE office may exempt administrators and consultants from such
requirements upon demonstration of substantially equivalent knowledge or
experience; and
  (ii) [children] SERVICE RECIPIENTS receive instruction consistent with
their age, needs and circumstances as well  as  the  needs  and  circum-
stances  within  the  facility  or program, in techniques and procedures
that will enable [such children] THEM to ADVOCATE AND protect themselves
from [abuse and maltreatment] REPORTABLE INCIDENTS.
  The commissioner, IN CONSULTATION WITH THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR  OF  THE
JUSTICE  CENTER  FOR  THE PROTECTION OF PEOPLE WITH SPECIAL NEEDS, shall
take all reasonable and necessary  actions  to  assure  that  employees,
volunteers  or  consultants in [residential care] facilities OPERATED OR

S. 7749                            52                           A. 10721

OVERSEEN BY THE OFFICE are kept apprised on a current basis of all poli-
cies and procedures [of the office] relating to the protection of [chil-
dren from abuse and maltreatment,] VULNERABLE PERSONS and shall  monitor
and  supervise the provision of training to such administrators, employ-
ees, volunteers, children and consultants. Standards developed  pursuant
to  this  subdivision  shall, to the extent possible, be consistent with
those promulgated by other state agencies for such purposes.
  (b) The commissioner shall provide necessary assistance to the  [state
commission  on  quality  of care and advocacy for persons with disabili-
ties] JUSTICE CENTER FOR THE PROTECTION OF PEOPLE WITH SPECIAL NEEDS  in
the  conduct  of investigations pursuant to [section 45.07 of this chap-
ter] ARTICLE ELEVEN OF THE EXECUTIVE LAW, shall consider its recommenda-
tions for appropriate preventive and  remedial  action  including  legal
actions,  and shall provide or direct a residential facility licensed or
operated by the office of mental health to provide written reports ther-
eon to such [commission] JUSTICE CENTER  as  to  the  implementation  of
plans of prevention and remediation.
  (c) The commissioner shall provide for the development and implementa-
tion  of  a plan of prevention and remediation with respect to [an indi-
cated] A SUBSTANTIATED report of [child abuse or maltreatment] A REPORT-
ABLE INCIDENT.  Such action shall include:
  1. within ten days of receipt of [an indicated] A SUBSTANTIATED report
of [child abuse or maltreatment] A REPORTABLE INCIDENT, development  and
implementation of a plan of prevention and remediation to be taken [with
respect  to  a custodian or residential facility in order] to assure the
continued health, SAFETY, and [safety]  WELFARE  of  [children]  SERVICE
RECIPIENTS and to provide for the prevention of future acts of [abuse or
maltreatment] REPORTABLE INCIDENTS; and
  2.  development and implementation of a plan of prevention and remedi-
ation, in the event an investigation of a report of  AN  alleged  [child
abuse  or  maltreatment]  REPORTABLE  INCIDENT  determines that [a] SUCH
report [of child abuse or maltreatment is  indicated]  IS  SUBSTANTIATED
and  such  [abuse or maltreatment] REPORTABLE INCIDENT may be attributed
in whole or in part to noncompliance by the facility with provisions  of
this  chapter or regulations of the respective [offices] OFFICE applica-
ble to the  operation  of  such  [residential]  facility.  Any  plan  of
prevention  and  remediation  required  to be developed pursuant to this
subdivision by a facility supervised by [either]  THE  office  shall  be
submitted  to and approved by such office in accordance with time limits
established by rules and regulations of such office.  Implementation  of
the  plan  shall  be monitored by such office OR THE JUSTICE CENTER.  In
reviewing the continued  qualification  of  a  residential  facility  or
program  for  an  operating  certificate,  the office having supervisory
responsibilities shall evaluate such facility's compliance with plans of
prevention and remediation developed pursuant to this subdivision.
  S 11. Subdivision (c) of section 33.02 of the mental hygiene  law,  as
amended  by  chapter  168  of  the  laws  of 2010, is amended to read as
follows:
  (c) The commissioners and the facility director shall  ensure  that  a
notice  of  the  rights  included in regulations promulgated pursuant to
this section is posted in each ward or living  area  of  every  hospital
operated  or  licensed by the office of mental health and every develop-
mental center operated by the office for people with developmental disa-
bilities, and that such notice is provided to every individual  resident
of any other residential facility or program operated or licensed by the
respective  offices  upon  admission  to  such facility or program, upon

S. 7749                            53                           A. 10721

limitation on any right, or at  the  individual's  request.  The  notice
shall  include  the  address  and telephone numbers of the office of the
facility director or such person's designee  responsible  for  receiving
questions or complaints, the board of visitors if applicable, the mental
hygiene  legal service, THE VULNERABLE PERSONS' CENTRAL REGISTER and the
[commission on quality of care and advocacy for persons  with  disabili-
ties] JUSTICE CENTER FOR THE PROTECTION OF PEOPLE WITH SPECIAL NEEDS.
  S  12.  Section 33.06 of the mental hygiene law, as amended by chapter
37 of the laws of 2011, is amended to read as follows:
S 33.06 Reports of abuse [or  mistreatment],  NEGLECT,  AND  SIGNIFICANT
          INCIDENTS.
  The  EXECUTIVE  DIRECTOR  OF  THE JUSTICE CENTER FOR THE PROTECTION OF
PEOPLE WITH SPECIAL NEEDS, IN CONSULTATION WITH THE commissioner of  the
office  of  mental  health, THE COMMISSIONER OF THE OFFICE OF ALCOHOLISM
AND SUBSTANCE ABUSE SERVICES and the  commissioner  of  the  office  for
people  with  developmental  disabilities  shall establish procedures or
mechanisms PURSUANT TO ARTICLE ELEVEN OF  THE  SOCIAL  SERVICES  LAW  to
receive  allegations or complaints of [abuse or mistreatment of] REPORT-
ABLE INCIDENTS INVOLVING individuals served by  agencies  and  providers
licensed  or  operated  by  the  offices, including receipt of anonymous
allegations or complaints. [Such mechanisms shall include the  operation
of a toll-free number. Allegations or complaints received shall be eval-
uated  and,  if  necessary,  referred for appropriate corrective action,
consistent with laws, regulations and  procedures  established  for  the
investigation, resolution and response to incident reports to ensure the
care  and  safety of all patients. The inability of the person reporting
the abuse to identify the alleged perpetrator shall, in no circumstance,
constitute the sole cause to reject such allegation for investigation or
fail to refer such allegation for corrective action. When an  allegation
of  abuse  or  maltreatment  of a child is made, the allegation shall be
referred to the statewide central register of child abuse and  maltreat-
ment,  established  pursuant  to  section four hundred twenty-two of the
social services law.]
  S 13. Subdivision (a) of section 33.25 of the mental hygiene  law,  as
added by chapter 24 of the laws of 2007, is amended to read as follows:
  (a) Records and documents pertaining to allegations and investigations
into [patient abuse or mistreatment] REPORTABLE INCIDENTS at a facility,
as defined in subdivision six of section 1.03 of this chapter, including
but not limited to all complaints and reports made pursuant to [subdivi-
sion (c) of section 45.07 and section 45.17 of this title] ARTICLE ELEV-
EN  OF THE SOCIAL SERVICES LAW, shall be released to a qualified person,
as defined in paragraph six of subdivision (a) of section 33.16 of  this
article,  upon  a written request by such qualified person. Such records
and documents shall be made available by the appropriate  office  within
twenty-one  days  of  the conclusion of its investigation, provided that
the names and other personally identifying information of other patients
and employees shall not be included unless such patients  and  employees
authorize disclosure.
  S 14. This act shall take effect June 30, 2013.

                                 PART D

  Section  1. Paragraph (a) of subdivision 5 of section 20 of the social
services law, as amended by chapter 485 of the laws of 2006, is  amended
to read as follows:

S. 7749                            54                           A. 10721

  (a)  In  the  case  of  the death of a child whose care and custody or
custody and guardianship has been transferred to an  authorized  agency,
OTHER  THAN  A  VULNERABLE  PERSON  AS DEFINED IN ARTICLE ELEVEN OF THIS
CHAPTER, or the death of a child for whom any local department of social
services  has  an  open child protective services or preventive services
case, or in the case of a report made to the STATEWIDE central  register
OF  CHILD  ABUSE  AND  MALTREATMENT  involving the death of a child, the
office of children and family services shall (i) investigate or  provide
for  an investigation of the cause of and circumstances surrounding such
death, (ii) review such investigation, and (iii)  prepare  and  issue  a
report  on  such  death,  except where a report is issued by an approved
local or regional fatality review team in accordance with  section  four
hundred twenty-two-b of this chapter.
  S  2.    Subdivision  5  of section 412 of the social services law, as
amended by chapter 323 of the laws  of  2008,  is  amended  to  read  as
follows:
  5.  "Other  persons  named in the report" shall mean and be limited to
the following persons who are named  in  a  report  of  child  abuse  or
maltreatment  other than the subject of the report:  [(a)] the child who
is reported to  the  statewide  central  register  of  child  abuse  and
maltreatment; and such child's parent, guardian, or other person legally
responsible  for  the  child  who  has  not  been named in the report as
allegedly responsible for causing injury, abuse or maltreatment  to  the
child  or as allegedly allowing such injury, abuse or maltreatment to be
inflicted on such child; [or
  (b) other persons named in a report of an abused or neglected child in
residential care as defined in subdivision nine of section four  hundred
twelve-a of this title;]
  S  2-a.  Subdivisions 1, 2 and 4 of section 412 of the social services
law, as amended by chapter 323 of the laws of 2008, are amended to  read
as follows:
  1. An "abused child" means[:
  (a)]  a  child under eighteen years of age [not in "residential care,"
as defined in subdivision four of section four hundred twelve-a of  this
title,]  and who is defined as an abused child by the family court act[;
or
  (b) a child under the age of eighteen  years  who  is  defined  as  an
abused  child in residential care pursuant to subdivision one of section
four hundred twelve-a of this title];
  2. A "maltreated child" includes[:
  (a)] a child under eighteen years of age [not in "residential care" as
defined in subdivision four of section four  hundred  twelve-a  of  this
title]:
  [(i)] (A) defined as a neglected child by the family court act, or
  [(ii)]  (B)  who has had serious physical injury inflicted upon him or
her by other than accidental means; [or
  (b) a child who is a neglected child in residential care as defined in
subdivision two of section four hundred twelve-a of this title;]
  4. "Subject of the report" means[: (a)] any parent of, guardian of, or
other person eighteen years of age or older legally responsible for,  as
defined  in subdivision (g) of section one thousand twelve of the family
court act, a child reported to the statewide central register  of  child
abuse  and maltreatment who is allegedly responsible for causing injury,
abuse or maltreatment to such child or who allegedly allows such injury,
abuse or maltreatment to be inflicted on such child; or a director or an
operator of, or employee or volunteer in, a home operated or  supervised

S. 7749                            55                           A. 10721

by an authorized agency, the office of children and family services, [or
an  office  of the department of mental hygiene] or in a family day-care
home, a day-care center, a group family  day  care  home,  a  school-age
child  care program or a day-services program who is allegedly responsi-
ble for causing injury, abuse or maltreatment to a child who is reported
to the statewide central register of child abuse or maltreatment or  who
allegedly  allows  such injury, abuse or maltreatment to be inflicted on
such child; [or
  (b) a subject of a report of an abused or neglected child in  residen-
tial  care  as  defined  in  subdivision  eight  of section four hundred
twelve-a of this title;]
  S 2-b. Section 412-a of the social services law is REPEALED.
  S 3. Paragraphs (a) and (c) of subdivision 1 of  section  413  of  the
social  services law, paragraph (a) as amended by chapter 91 of the laws
of 2011 and paragraph (c) as amended by chapter 366 of the laws of 2008,
are amended to read as follows:
  (a) The following persons and officials  are  required  to  report  or
cause  a  report to be made in accordance with this title when they have
reasonable cause to suspect that a child coming  before  them  in  their
professional  or  official capacity is an abused or maltreated child, or
when they have reasonable cause to suspect that a child is an abused  or
maltreated  child  where the parent, guardian, custodian or other person
legally responsible for such child comes before them  in  their  profes-
sional  or  official  capacity and states from personal knowledge facts,
conditions or circumstances which, if correct, would render the child an
abused or maltreated child: any physician; registered physician  assist-
ant;  surgeon;  medical  examiner;  coroner;  dentist; dental hygienist;
osteopath;  optometrist;  chiropractor;  podiatrist;  resident;  intern;
psychologist; registered nurse; social worker; emergency medical techni-
cian;  licensed  creative  arts  therapist; licensed marriage and family
therapist; licensed mental  health  counselor;  licensed  psychoanalyst;
hospital personnel engaged in the admission, examination, care or treat-
ment  of  persons;  a  Christian  Science practitioner; school official,
which includes but is not limited to  school  teacher,  school  guidance
counselor,  school  psychologist,  school  social  worker, school nurse,
school administrator or other school personnel required to hold a teach-
ing or administrative license or certificate;  social  services  worker;
director  of  a  children's overnight camp, summer day camp or traveling
summer day camp, as such camps are defined in section  thirteen  hundred
ninety-two  of the public health law; day care center worker; school-age
child care worker; provider of family or group family day care; [employ-
ee or volunteer in a residential care facility  defined  in  subdivision
four  of section four hundred twelve-a of this title] or any other child
care or foster care worker; mental health professional; substance  abuse
counselor;  alcoholism counselor; all persons credentialed by the office
of alcoholism and substance abuse services; peace officer; police  offi-
cer;  district  attorney  or  assistant  district attorney; investigator
employed in the office of a district attorney; or other law  enforcement
official.
  (c) A medical or other public or private institution, school, facility
or  agency shall not take any retaliatory personnel action, as such term
is defined in paragraph (e) of subdivision one of section seven  hundred
forty  of  the  labor  law,  against  an  employee because such employee
believes that he or she has reasonable cause to suspect that a child  is
an abused or maltreated child and that employee therefore makes a report
in  accordance  with  this title. No school, school official, child care

S. 7749                            56                           A. 10721

provider, foster care  provider,  residential  care  facility  provider,
hospital, medical institution provider or mental health facility provid-
er  shall  impose  any  conditions,  including  prior  approval or prior
notification,  upon  a  member  of  their staff specifically required to
report under this title. At the time of the making of a  report,  or  at
any  time  thereafter, such person or official may exercise the right to
request, pursuant to paragraph (A) of subdivision four of  section  four
hundred  twenty-two of this title, the findings of an investigation made
pursuant to this title [or section 45.07 of the mental hygiene law].
  S 3-a. Section 415 of the social services law, as amended  by  chapter
323 of the laws of 2008, is amended to read as follows:
  S  415.  Reporting  procedure.  Reports  of  suspected  child abuse or
maltreatment made pursuant to this title shall be  made  immediately  by
telephone  or  by  telephone facsimile machine on a form supplied by the
commissioner of the office of children and family services. Oral reports
shall be followed by a report in writing within forty-eight hours  after
such  oral  report.  Oral reports shall be made to the statewide central
register of child abuse and maltreatment unless  the  appropriate  local
plan  for  the provision of child protective services provides that oral
reports should be made to the local child protective service.  In  those
localities  in  which oral reports are made initially to the local child
protective service, the child protective service shall immediately  make
an  oral or electronic report to the statewide central register. Written
reports shall be made to the appropriate local child protective  service
except  that written reports involving children [in residential care, as
defined in subdivision four of section four  hundred  twelve-a  of  this
title,  or]  being  cared  for  in  a  home operated or supervised by an
authorized agency[,] OR THE office of children and family services[,  or
an  office  of  the  department of mental hygiene,] shall be made to the
statewide central register of child abuse and maltreatment  which  shall
transmit  the  reports  to  the agency responsible for investigating the
report, in accordance with [paragraph (a) or (c) of  subdivision  eleven
of   section   four   hundred   twenty-two   or]  section  four  hundred
twenty-four-b of this title[, as applicable]. Written reports  shall  be
made in a manner prescribed and on forms supplied by the commissioner of
the office of children and family services and shall include the follow-
ing  information:  the  names  and addresses of the child and his or her
parents or other person responsible for his or her care, if known,  and,
as the case may be, the name and address of the [residential care facil-
ity  or]  program in which the child [resides or] is receiving care; the
child's age, sex and race; the nature and extent of  the  child's  inju-
ries,  abuse  or maltreatment, including any evidence of prior injuries,
abuse or maltreatment to the child or, as the case may be,  his  or  her
siblings;  the  name  of the person or persons alleged to be responsible
for causing the injury, abuse or maltreatment, if known; family composi-
tion, where appropriate; the source of the report; the person making the
report and where he or she can be reached;  the  actions  taken  by  the
reporting  source,  including  the  taking  of  photographs  and x-rays,
removal or keeping of the child or notifying  the  medical  examiner  or
coroner;  and any other information which the commissioner of the office
of children and family services may,  by  regulation,  require,  or  the
person  making  the report believes might be helpful, in the furtherance
of the purposes of this title. Notwithstanding the privileges set  forth
in article forty-five of the civil practice law and rules, and any other
provision  of  law to the contrary, mandated reporters who make a report
which initiates an investigation of an  allegation  of  child  abuse  or

S. 7749                            57                           A. 10721

maltreatment  are  required to comply with all requests for records made
by a child protective service relating to such report, including records
relating to diagnosis, prognosis or treatment, and clinical records,  of
any  patient  or  client  that are essential for a full investigation of
allegations of child abuse  or  maltreatment  pursuant  to  this  title;
provided,  however, that disclosure of substance abuse treatment records
shall be made pursuant to the standards and procedures for disclosure of
such records delineated in federal law. Written reports from persons  or
officials  required  by  this  title  to  report  shall be admissible in
evidence in any proceedings relating to child abuse or maltreatment.
  S 4. Section 418 of the social services law, as amended by chapter 485
of the laws of 2006, is amended to read as follows:
  S 418. Mandatory reporting to and post-mortem investigation of  deaths
by  medical  examiner  or  coroner.  Any  person or official required to
report cases of suspected child abuse or maltreatment, including workers
of the local child protective service[, as well as  an  employee  of  or
official of a state agency responsible for the investigation of a report
of  abuse  or  maltreatment  of  a  child  in residential care,] who has
reasonable cause to suspect that a child died as a result of child abuse
or maltreatment shall report that fact to the appropriate medical  exam-
iner  or  coroner.    The  medical  examiner or coroner shall accept the
report for investigation and shall issue a preliminary written report of
his or her finding within sixty  days  of  the  date  of  death,  absent
extraordinary circumstances, and his or her final written report prompt-
ly,  absent  extraordinary circumstances, to the police, the appropriate
district attorney, the local child protective  service,  the  office  of
children  and family services, and, if the institution making the report
is a hospital, the hospital. The office of children and family  services
shall  promptly  provide  a copy of the preliminary and final reports to
the statewide central register of child abuse and maltreatment.
  S 5. The section heading, the opening paragraph and subdivision  1  of
section  421  of  the  social  services law, the section heading and the
opening paragraph as amended by chapter 718 of  the  laws  of  1986  and
subdivision 1 as amended by chapter 504 of the laws of 1988, are amended
to read as follows:
  Responsibility  of  the  [department]  OFFICE. The [department] OFFICE
shall: 1. in conjunction with local departments, both jointly and  indi-
vidually,  within  the  appropriation  available,  conduct  a continuing
publicity and education program for local department staff, persons  and
officials  required  to  report  including district attorneys, assistant
district  attorneys,  police  officers,  peace  officers,  investigators
employed in the office of a district attorney, and any other appropriate
persons  to encourage the fullest degree of reporting of suspected child
abuse or maltreatment. Such program shall be developed  and  implemented
in  coordination with those established pursuant to section 31.06 of the
mental hygiene law, section twenty-eight hundred five-n  of  the  public
health  law,  section  thirty-two  hundred  nine-a  of the education law
[and], sections two hundred fourteen-a and eight hundred  forty  of  the
executive  law  AND  ARTICLE  ELEVEN OF THIS CHAPTER.  The program shall
include but not be limited to responsibilities, obligations  and  powers
under this title and chapter as well as the diagnosis of child abuse and
maltreatment, the procedures of the child protective service, the family
court  and  other duly authorized agencies and the prevention, treatment
and remediation of abuse and maltreatment  of  children  in  residential
care.

S. 7749                            58                           A. 10721

  S  6.    Subparagraph (r) of paragraph (A) of subdivision 4 of section
422 of the social services law is REPEALED, and the  opening  paragraph,
subparagraph  (j)  and the first undesignated paragraph of paragraph (A)
of subdivision 4 of section 422 of the social services law,  as  amended
by chapter 12 of the laws of 1996, are amended to read as follows:
  Reports  made  pursuant to this title as well as any other information
obtained, reports written or photographs taken concerning  such  reports
in  the possession of the [department,] OFFICE OR local departments[, or
the commission on quality of care for the mentally disabled,]  shall  be
confidential and shall only be made available to:
  (j) [the state commission on quality of care for the mentally disabled
in  connection  with  an investigation being conducted by the commission
pursuant to article forty-five of the mental hygiene  law]  THE  JUSTICE
CENTER  FOR  THE  PROTECTION  OF PEOPLE WITH SPECIAL NEEDS OR A DELEGATE
INVESTIGATORY ENTITY IN CONNECTION WITH AN INVESTIGATION BEING CONDUCTED
UNDER ARTICLE ELEVEN OF THIS CHAPTER;
  After a child, other than a child in residential care, who is reported
to the central register of abuse or  maltreatment  reaches  the  age  of
eighteen  years,  access to a child's record under subparagraphs (a) and
(b) of this paragraph shall be permitted only if a sibling or off-spring
of such child is before such person and is a suspected victim  of  child
abuse  or  maltreatment.  In  addition, a person or official required to
make a report of suspected  child  abuse  or  maltreatment  pursuant  to
section  four  hundred  thirteen  of  this  chapter  shall receive, upon
request, the findings of an investigation made pursuant  to  this  title
[or  section  45.07  of the mental hygiene law]. However, no information
may be released unless the person or official's identity is confirmed by
the [department] OFFICE.  If the request for such  information  is  made
prior  to  the  completion of an investigation of a report, the released
information shall be limited  to  whether  the  report  is  "indicated",
"unfounded"  or "under investigation", whichever the case may be. If the
request for such information is made after the completion of an investi-
gation of a report, the released information shall be limited to whether
the report is "indicated" or "unfounded", whichever the case may  be.  A
person  given  access  to the names or other information identifying the
subjects of the report, or other persons named in the report, except the
subject of the report or other persons named in the  report,  shall  not
divulge  or make public such identifying information unless he or she is
a district attorney or other law enforcement official and the purpose is
to initiate court action or the disclosure is  necessary  in  connection
with the investigation or prosecution of the subject of the report for a
crime  alleged  to  have  been  committed by the subject against another
person named in the report. Nothing in this section shall  be  construed
to  permit  any  release,  disclosure  or identification of the names or
identifying descriptions of persons who have  reported  suspected  child
abuse  or  maltreatment to the statewide central register or the agency,
institution, organization, program or other entity  where  such  persons
are  employed  or  the agency, institution, organization or program with
which they are  associated  without  such  persons'  written  permission
except  to  persons, officials, and agencies enumerated in subparagraphs
(e), (f), (h), (j), (l), (m) and (v) of this paragraph.
  S 7. The opening paragraph, subparagraph (iii) of  paragraph  (a)  and
paragraph  (b)  of subdivision 5 and subdivision 6 of section 422 of the
social services law, the opening paragraph, subparagraph (iii) of  para-
graph  (a)  and paragraph (b) of subdivision 5 as amended by chapter 555

S. 7749                            59                           A. 10721

of the laws of 2000 and subdivision 6 as amended by chapter 323  of  the
laws of 2008, are amended to read as follows:
  Unless  an  investigation of a report conducted pursuant to this title
[or subdivision (c) of section 45.07 of the mental hygiene  law]  deter-
mines  that  there  is  some  credible  evidence of the alleged abuse or
maltreatment, all information identifying the subjects of the report and
other persons named in the report shall be legally sealed  forthwith  by
the  central  register  and  any  local child protective services or the
state agency which investigated the report. Such unfounded  reports  may
only be unsealed and made available:
  (iii)  to a local child protective service, the office of children and
family services, OR all members of a local or regional multidisciplinary
investigative team[, the commission on quality of care for the  mentally
disabled,  or  the  department of mental hygiene,] OR THE JUSTICE CENTER
FOR THE PROTECTION OF PEOPLE WITH SPECIAL  NEEDS  when  investigating  a
subsequent  report of suspected abuse, NEGLECT or maltreatment involving
a subject of the unfounded  report,  a  child  named  in  the  unfounded
report,  or  a child's sibling named in the unfounded report PURSUANT TO
THIS ARTICLE OR ARTICLE ELEVEN OF THIS CHAPTER;
  (b) Persons given access to unfounded reports pursuant to subparagraph
(v) of paragraph (a) of  this  subdivision  shall  not  redisclose  such
reports except as necessary to conduct such appropriate investigation or
prosecution  and  shall  request  of  the  court that any copies of such
reports produced in any court proceeding be redacted to remove the names
of the subjects and other persons named in the reports or that the court
issue an order protecting the names of the subjects  and  other  persons
named  in the reports from public disclosure. The local child protective
service or state agency shall not indicate the subsequent report  solely
based  upon  the  existence  of  the  prior unfounded report or reports.
Notwithstanding section four hundred fifteen of this title, section  one
thousand  forty-six  of  the  family  court act, or, except as set forth
herein, any other provision of law to the contrary, an unfounded  report
shall  not be admissible in any judicial or administrative proceeding or
action; provided, however, an unfounded report may  be  introduced  into
evidence:  (i)  by  the  subject  of  the report where such subject is a
respondent in a proceeding under article ten of the family court act  or
is  a  plaintiff  or petitioner in a civil action or proceeding alleging
the false reporting of child abuse or maltreatment; or (ii) in a  crimi-
nal  court  for  the  purpose  of prosecuting a violation of subdivision
[three] FOUR of section [240.55] 240.50 of the penal law. Legally sealed
unfounded reports shall be expunged ten years after the receipt  of  the
report.  [Whenever the office of children and family services determines
that  there  is  some  credible  evidence  of abuse or maltreatment as a
result of an investigation of a report conducted pursuant to subdivision
(c) of section 45.07 of the mental hygiene law, the office  of  children
and  family  services shall notify the commission on quality of care for
the mentally disabled.]
  6. In all other cases, the record  of  the  report  to  the  statewide
central register shall be expunged ten years after the eighteenth birth-
day of the youngest child named in the report. In the case of a child in
residential care [as defined in subdivision four of section four hundred
twelve-a  of  this  title,]  the  record  of the report to the statewide
central register shall be expunged ten years after the reported  child's
eighteenth  birthday.  In  any case and at any time, the commissioner of
the office of children and family services may  amend  any  record  upon

S. 7749                            60                           A. 10721

good  cause  shown  and  notice  to the subjects of the report and other
persons named in the report.
  S  7-a.  Subdivisions  10 and 11 of section 422 of the social services
law are REPEALED, and subdivision 9 and 14, subdivision 9 as amended  by
chapter  634 of the laws of 1988, subdivision 14 as added by chapter 477
of the laws of 1989, are amended to read as follows:
  9. Written notice of any expungement or amendment of any record,  made
pursuant to the provisions of this title, shall be served forthwith upon
each  subject  of  such  record,  other persons named in the report, the
commissioner, and, as appropriate, the applicable local child protective
service, the [commission on quality of care for the  mentally  disabled,
the  division  for  youth]   JUSTICE CENTER FOR THE PROTECTION OF PEOPLE
WITH SPECIAL NEEDS, department of education, office  of  mental  health,
office  [of  mental retardation and] FOR PEOPLE WITH developmental disa-
bilities, the local social  services  commissioner  or  school  district
placing  the  child, any [law guardian] ATTORNEY FOR THE CHILD appointed
to represent the child whose appointment has been continued by a  family
court  judge during the term of a child's placement, and the director or
operator of a residential care facility  or  program.  The  local  child
protective  service  or  the state agency which investigated the report,
upon receipt of such notice, shall take the appropriate  similar  action
in  regard  to its child abuse and maltreatment register and records and
inform, for the same purpose,  any  other  agency  which  received  such
record.
  14.  The  [department]  OFFICE  shall refer suspected cases of falsely
reporting child abuse  and  maltreatment  in  violation  of  subdivision
[three]  FOUR  of section [240.55] 240.50 of the penal law to the appro-
priate law enforcement agency or district attorney.
  S 7-b. Subdivision 1 of section 422-b of the social services  law,  as
amended  by  chapter  485  of  the  laws  of 2006, is amended to read as
follows:
  1. A fatality review team may be established at a  local  or  regional
level,  with the approval of the office of children and family services,
for the purpose of investigating the death of any child whose  care  and
custody  or  custody and guardianship has been transferred to an author-
ized agency, OTHER THAN A VULNERABLE CHILD AS DEFINED IN ARTICLE  ELEVEN
OF  THIS  CHAPTER,  any  child for whom child protective services has an
open case, any child for whom the local department  of  social  services
has  an  open preventive services case, and in the case of a report made
to the STATEWIDE  central  register  OF  CHILD  ABUSE  AND  MALTREATMENT
involving the death of a child. A fatality review team may also investi-
gate  any  unexplained or unexpected death of any child under the age of
eighteen.
  S 7-c. Subdivision 8 of section 424 of the  social  services  law,  as
amended  by  chapter  477  of  the  laws  of 1989, is amended to read as
follows:
  8.  refer  suspected  cases  of  falsely  reporting  child  abuse  and
maltreatment  in  violation  of  subdivision  [three]  FOUR  of  section
[240.55] 240.50 of the penal law  to  the  appropriate  law  enforcement
agency or district attorney;
  S  8.  Subdivisions  3,  4,  5  and  6  of section 424-a of the social
services law, subdivision 3 as amended by chapter 578  of  the  laws  of
1997,  subdivision  4  as  amended  by  chapter 465 of the laws of 1992,
subdivision 5 as added by chapter 677 of the laws of 1985, paragraph (a)
of subdivision 5 as amended by chapter 634  of  the  laws  of  1988  and

S. 7749                            61                           A. 10721

subdivision 6 as amended by chapter 587 of the laws of 1997, are amended
and a new subdivision 7 is added to read as follows:
  3.  For  purposes  of  this  [chapter] SECTION, the term "provider" or
"provider agency" shall mean an authorized  agency,  the  [division  for
youth] OFFICE OF CHILDREN AND FAMILY SERVICES, juvenile detention facil-
ities  subject  to the certification of such [division] OFFICE, programs
established pursuant to article nineteen-H of the executive law, non-re-
sidential or residential programs or facilities licensed or operated  by
the  office  of  mental health or the office [of mental retardation and]
FOR PEOPLE WITH developmental disabilities  except  family  care  homes,
licensed child day care centers, including head start programs which are
funded  pursuant  to  title V of the federal economic opportunity act of
nineteen hundred sixty-four,  as  amended,  early  intervention  service
established  pursuant to section twenty-five hundred forty of the public
health law, preschool services established pursuant  to  section  forty-
four  hundred  ten of the education law, school-age child care programs,
special act school districts  as  enumerated  in  chapter  five  hundred
sixty-six  of  the  laws  of  nineteen  hundred sixty-seven, as amended,
programs and  facilities  licensed  by  the  office  of  alcoholism  and
substance  abuse services [and], residential schools which are operated,
supervised or approved by the education department, AND ANY OTHER FACIL-
ITY OR PROVIDER AGENCY, AS DEFINED IN SUBDIVISION FOUR OF  SECTION  FOUR
HUNDRED  EIGHTY-EIGHT  OF  THIS  CHAPTER, IN REGARD TO THE EMPLOYMENT OF
STAFF, OR USE OF PROVIDERS OF GOODS  AND  SERVICES  AND  STAFF  OF  SUCH
PROVIDERS, CONSULTANTS, INTERNS AND VOLUNTEERS.
  4. For purposes of this [chapter] SECTION, the term "licensing agency"
shall  mean  an  authorized  agency which has received an application to
become an adoptive parent or an authorized agency which has received  an
application  for  a certificate or license to receive, board or keep any
child pursuant to the provisions of section three hundred seventy-six or
three hundred seventy-seven of this  article  or  an  authorized  agency
which  has  received  an  application  from a relative within the second
degree or third degree of CONSANGUINITY OF the parent of a  child  or  a
relative  within  the  second degree or third degree of CONSANGUINITY OF
the step-parent of a child or children, or the  child's  legal  guardian
for  approval  to  receive, board or keep such child or a state or local
governmental agency which receives an application to provide  child  day
care services in a child day care center, school-age child care program,
family  day  care  home  or  group  family day care home pursuant to the
provisions of section three hundred  ninety  of  this  article,  or  the
department  of  health  AND MENTAL HYGIENE of the city of New York, when
such department receives an application for a certificate of approval to
provide [family] CHILD day care SERVICES IN  A  CHILD  DAY  CARE  CENTER
pursuant  to  the provisions of the health code of the city of New York,
or the office of mental health or the office [of mental retardation and]
FOR PEOPLE WITH developmental disabilities when such office receives  an
application  for  an operating certificate pursuant to the provisions of
the mental hygiene law to operate a family care home  which  will  serve
children,  or  a  state  or  local governmental official who receives an
application for a permit to operate a  camp  which  is  subject  to  the
provisions of article thirteen-A[,] OR thirteen-B [or thirteen-C] of the
public  health  law  or  the [division for youth] OFFICE OF CHILDREN AND
FAMILY SERVICES which has received an application for a  certificate  to
receive,  board  or  keep  any child at a foster family home pursuant to
articles nineteen-G and nineteen-H of the executive  law  OR  ANY  OTHER
FACILITY  OR  PROVIDER AGENCY, AS DEFINED IN SUBDIVISION FOUR OF SECTION

S. 7749                            62                           A. 10721

FOUR HUNDRED EIGHTY-EIGHT OF THIS CHAPTER, IN REGARD TO ANY LICENSING OR
CERTIFICATION FUNCTION CARRIED OUT BY SUCH FACILITY OR AGENCY.
  5.  (a) The [department] OFFICE OF CHILDREN AND FAMILY SERVICES, after
consultation with the [division for  youth,  the  department  of  mental
hygiene,  the  commission  on quality of care for the mentally disabled]
JUSTICE CENTER FOR THE PROTECTION OF  PEOPLE  WITH  SPECIAL  NEEDS,  THE
OFFICE  OF MENTAL HEALTH, THE OFFICE FOR PEOPLE WITH DEVELOPMENTAL DISA-
BILITIES, THE OFFICE OF ALCOHOLISM AND  SUBSTANCE  ABUSE  SERVICES,  THE
DEPARTMENT  OF  HEALTH, and the state education department shall develop
[quidelines] GUIDELINES to be utilized by a provider agency, as  defined
by subdivision three of this section, and a licensing agency, as defined
by  subdivision  four  of this section, in evaluating persons about whom
inquiries are made to the [department] OFFICE pursuant to  this  section
who  are  the subjects of indicated reports of child abuse and maltreat-
ment, as defined by subdivision four of section four hundred  twelve  of
this chapter.
  (b)  The  guidelines  developed  pursuant  to  subdivision one of this
section shall not [supercede] SUPERSEDE similar guidelines developed  by
local  governmental  agencies  prior  to January first, nineteen hundred
eighty-six.
  6. A child care resource and referral program as defined  in  subdivi-
sion  two  of  section four hundred ten-p of this article may inquire of
the [department] OFFICE OF CHILDREN AND FAMILY SERVICES and the [depart-
ment] OFFICE shall, upon receipt of such  inquiry  and  subject  to  the
provisions  of  paragraph (e) of subdivision one of this section, inform
such program and the subject of such inquiry whether any person who  has
requested  and  agreed  to be included in a list of substitute child day
care caregivers for  employment  by  registered  or  licensed  day  care
providers  maintained  by  such  program  in accordance with regulations
promulgated by the [department] OFFICE, is the subject of  an  indicated
child  abuse  and maltreatment report on file with the statewide central
register of child abuse and maltreatment. Inquiries made to the [depart-
ment] OFFICE by such programs pursuant to this subdivision shall be made
no more often than once in any six month period and no less  often  than
once in any twelve month period. Notwithstanding any provision of law to
the  contrary, a child care resource and referral program may redisclose
such information only if the purpose of such redisclosure is to  respond
to  a  request for such information by a registered or licensed provider
and only if after an individual included in the list of substitute child
day care caregivers for employment by registered or  licensed  day  care
providers  has consented to be referred for employment to such inquiring
agency. Upon such referral, the provisions related to  notice  and  fair
hearing  rights  of  this  section shall otherwise apply. Inquiries made
pursuant to this subdivision shall be in lieu of  the  inquiry  require-
ments set forth in paragraph (b) of subdivision one of this section.
  7.  ANY  FACILITY,  PROVIDER  AGENCY,  OR  PROGRAM THAT IS REQUIRED TO
CONDUCT AN INQUIRY PURSUANT TO SECTION FOUR HUNDRED NINETY-FIVE OF  THIS
CHAPTER  SHALL FIRST CONDUCT THE INQUIRY REQUIRED UNDER SUCH SECTION. IF
THE RESULT OF THE INQUIRY UNDER SECTION FOUR HUNDRED NINETY-FIVE OF THIS
CHAPTER IS THAT THE PERSON ABOUT WHOM THE INQUIRY  IS  MADE  IS  ON  THE
REGISTER OF SUBSTANTIATED CATEGORY ONE CASES OF ABUSE OR NEGLECT AND THE
FACILITY  OR  PROVIDER  AGENCY  IS  REQUIRED  TO DENY THE APPLICATION IN
ACCORDANCE WITH ARTICLE ELEVEN OF THIS CHAPTER, THE FACILITY OR PROVIDER
AGENCY SHALL NOT BE REQUIRED TO MAKE AN INQUIRY OF THE OFFICE UNDER THIS
SECTION.

S. 7749                            63                           A. 10721

  S 8-a. Paragraph (b) and subparagraph (iv) of paragraph (e) of  subdi-
vision  1  and  paragraph  (a)  of subdivision 2 of section 424-a of the
social services law, paragraph (b) of subdivision 1 as amended by  chap-
ter 677 of the laws of 1985, subparagraph (i) of paragraph (b) of subdi-
vision  1  as  amended  by chapter 260 of the laws of 1991, subparagraph
(iv) of paragraph (e) of subdivision 1 as amended by chapter 323 of  the
laws  of  2008, and paragraph (a) of subdivision 2 as amended by chapter
441 of the laws of 1993, are amended to read as follows:
  (b) (i) [A] SUBJECT TO THE PROVISIONS OF  SUBDIVISION  SEVEN  OF  THIS
SECTION,  A provider agency shall inquire of the [department] OFFICE and
the [department] OFFICE shall, subject to the  provisions  of  paragraph
(e)  of  this  subdivision,  inform  such  agency and the subject of the
inquiry whether any person who is actively being considered for  employ-
ment and who will have the potential for regular and substantial contact
with  [children]  INDIVIDUALS  who  are  cared for by the agency, is the
subject of an indicated child abuse and maltreatment report on file with
the statewide central register of child abuse and maltreatment prior  to
permitting such person to have unsupervised contact with [children] SUCH
INDIVIDUALS.  Such agency may inquire of the [department] OFFICE and the
[department] OFFICE shall inform such agency  and  the  subject  of  the
inquiry  whether  any  person  who is currently employed and who has the
potential for regular and substantial contact with  [children]  INDIVID-
UALS  who  are  cared  for by such agency is the subject of an indicated
child abuse and maltreatment report on file with the  statewide  central
register  of  child abuse and maltreatment. A provider agency shall also
inquire of the [department] OFFICE and  the  [department]  OFFICE  shall
inform such agency and the subject of the inquiry whether any person who
is  employed  by  an individual, corporation, partnership or association
which provides goods or services to such agency who  has  the  potential
for  regular and substantial contact with [children] INDIVIDUALS who are
cared for by the agency, is the subject of an indicated child abuse  and
maltreatment report on file with the statewide central register of child
abuse  and maltreatment prior to permitting such person to have unsuper-
vised contact with [children] SUCH INDIVIDUALS. Inquiries  made  to  the
[department]  OFFICE  pursuant to this subparagraph by a provider agency
on current employees shall be made no more often than once  in  any  six
month period.
  (ii)  A provider agency may inquire of the [department] OFFICE and the
[department] OFFICE shall, upon receipt of such inquiry and  subject  to
the  provisions of paragraph (e) of this subdivision, inform such agency
and the subject of the inquiry whether any person who is to be hired  as
a  consultant  by  such  agency  who  has  the potential for regular and
substantial contact with [children] INDIVIDUALS who are cared for by the
agency is the subject of  an  indicated  child  abuse  and  maltreatment
report  on  file  with the statewide central register of child abuse and
maltreatment.
  (iii) A provider agency may inquire of the [department] OFFICE and the
[department] OFFICE shall, upon receipt of such inquiry and  subject  to
the  provisions of paragraph (e) of this subdivision, inform such agency
and the subject of the inquiry whether any person  who  has  volunteered
his  or  her services to such agency and who will have the potential for
regular and substantial contact  with  [children]  INDIVIDUALS  who  are
cared  for by the agency, is the subject of an indicated child abuse and
maltreatment report on file with the statewide central register of child
abuse and maltreatment.

S. 7749                            64                           A. 10721

  (iv) The [department] OFFICE shall promulgate regulations which effec-
tuate the provisions of this paragraph.
  (iv) If it is determined after a review by the office [of children and
family  services]  of  all  records,  reports  and  information  in  its
possession concerning the subject of the report that there is  a  [fair]
preponderance of the evidence to find that the subject committed the act
or  acts  of  CHILD  abuse  or [neglect] MALTREATMENT giving rise to the
indicated report, the office [of children  and  family  services]  shall
also  determine  whether  such  act  or acts are relevant and reasonably
related to issues concerning the employment of the subject by a provider
agency or the subject being allowed  to  have  regular  and  substantial
contact  with  [children]  INDIVIDUALS cared for by a provider agency or
the approval or disapproval of an application which has  been  submitted
by  the  subject  to  a  licensing agency, based on guidelines developed
pursuant to subdivision five of this section. If it is  determined  that
such act or acts are not relevant and related to such issues, the office
[of  children and family services] shall be precluded from informing the
provider or licensing agency which made the inquiry to  the  office  [of
children  and  family services] pursuant to this section that the person
about whom the inquiry is made is the subject of an indicated report  of
child abuse or maltreatment.
  (a)  Upon  notification  by the [department] OFFICE or by a child care
resource and referral program in accordance with subdivision six of this
section that any person who has applied to  a  licensing  agency  for  a
license,  certificate  or permit or who seeks to become an employee of a
provider agency, or to accept a child for adoptive placement or who will
be hired as a consultant or used as a volunteer by a provider agency, or
that any other person about whom an inquiry is made to the  [department]
OFFICE  pursuant  to the provisions of this section is the subject of an
indicated report, the licensing or provider agency  shall  determine  on
the basis of information it has available whether to approve such appli-
cation  or  retain the employee or hire the consultant or use the volun-
teer or permit an employee of another person,  corporation,  partnership
or association to have access to the [children] INDIVIDUALS cared for by
the  provider  agency,  provided,  however,  that if such application is
approved, or such employee is retained or consultant hired or  volunteer
used  or  person  permitted  to have access to the children cared for by
such agency the licensing or provider agency shall  maintain  a  written
record,  as  part  of  the application file or employment record, of the
specific reasons why such person was determined  to  be  appropriate  to
receive  a  foster  care  or  adoption  placement or to provide day care
services, to be the director of a camp  subject  to  the  provisions  of
article thirteen-A[,] OR thirteen-B [or thirteen-C] of the public health
law,  to  be  employed,  to be retained as an employee, to be hired as a
consultant, used as a volunteer or to  have  access  to  the  [children]
INDIVIDUALS cared for by the agency.
  S  9.  Section 424-b of the social services law, as amended by chapter
323 of the laws of 2008, is amended to read as follows:
  S 424-b. Children in the care of certain public and private  agencies.
Notwithstanding  any  inconsistent  provisions  of law, when a report of
child abuse or maltreatment involves a child being cared for in  a  home
operated or supervised by an authorized agency[,] OR the office of chil-
dren  and  family  services,  [or  an office of the department of mental
hygiene,] such report shall be accepted and maintained by the office  of
children  and  family services and shall be referred for the purposes of
conducting an investigation to the appropriate staff within  the  office

S. 7749                            65                           A. 10721

of  children  and  family  services  [or  the  appropriate office of the
department of mental hygiene,] where the child is in the  care  of  such
agency;  and  where  the child is in a home operated or supervised by an
authorized  agency, to the social services district wherein such home is
located. The [agency] OFFICE or social services district receiving  such
referral  shall undertake an appropriate investigation of the report, in
accordance with the terms and conditions set forth in [subdivisions  one
through  eight of section four hundred twenty-four-c of] this title. Any
person who is alleged to have abused or maltreated a child in  a  report
accepted  and  referred  pursuant  to this section shall be accorded the
procedural rights set forth in section four hundred  twenty-two  and  in
subdivision six of section four hundred twenty-four of this title. Noth-
ing in this section shall impose any duty or responsibility on any child
protective  service  pursuant  to  section four hundred twenty-two, four
hundred twenty-four or any other provision of this article.
  S 9-a. Sections 424-c  and  424-d  of  the  social  services  law  are
REPEALED.
  S  10.  Subdivision  1  of  section 425 of the social services law, as
amended by chapter 634 of the laws  of  1988,  is  amended  to  read  as
follows:
  1.  To  effectuate  the  purposes  of this title, the commissioner may
request and shall receive from departments, boards,  bureaus,  or  other
agencies of the state, or any of its political subdivisions, or any duly
authorized  agency,  or  any  other  agency providing services under the
local child protective services plan such assistance and  data  as  will
enable  the  department  and  local child protective services to fulfill
their responsibilities properly. [In relation to an investigation  of  a
report  of  abuse or maltreatment involving a child in residential care,
such data may include, but need not be limited to, the case  records  of
the child who allegedly was abused or maltreated and any other child who
allegedly  witnessed  the  abuse  or  maltreatment  and, consistent with
appropriate collective bargaining agreements and  applicable  provisions
of the civil service law, those portions of the employment record of the
subject  of  the report considered by the subject's employer to be rele-
vant and reasonably related to the allegations being investigated by the
department.] Nothing contained  in  this  subdivision  shall  limit  the
department's  authority  under  sections three hundred seventy-two, four
hundred sixty-c and four hundred sixty-e of this chapter to  access  the
records of authorized agencies.
  S  11.  Section  426 of the social services law, as amended by chapter
676 of the laws of 1985, is amended to read as follows:
  S 426. Annual reports. The commissioner shall prepare for inclusion in
the annual report required by subdivision (d) of  section  seventeen  of
this  chapter to be filed with the governor and the legislature prior to
December fifteenth of each year, a report on the operations of the state
central register of child abuse and maltreatment and the  various  local
child  protective services.  The report shall include a full statistical
analysis of the reports made to the central  register  together  with  a
report  on  the  implementation  of this title, his OR HER evaluation of
services offered under this chapter and his OR HER  recommendations  for
additional  legislation  to  fulfill  the  purposes  of this title. Such
report shall indicate the number of child abuse and maltreatment reports
and cases received by the statewide central register of child abuse  and
maltreatment  by each district in the preceding year, the number of such
cases determined to have been indicated and the  number  of  such  cases
determined  to  be unfounded by each district in the preceding year, the

S. 7749                            66                           A. 10721

number of such cases which have not been indicated or  unfounded  within
the  time  period  required by subdivision seven of section four hundred
twenty-four of this [chapter] ARTICLE by each district in the  preceding
year  and the number of workers assigned to the child protective service
in each district in the preceding year. [The report shall  also  contain
data  on  the  protection of children in residential care from abuse and
maltreatment, including reports received, results of  investigations  by
types  of  facilities and programs, types of corrective action taken, as
well as  efforts undertaken by the department, the  division  for  youth
and the state education department to provide training pursuant to stan-
dards  established  by  section  four hundred sixty-two of this chapter,
section five hundred one of the executive law  and  sections  forty-four
hundred  three, forty-three hundred fourteen, forty-three hundred fifty-
eight and forty-two hundred twelve of the education law.]
  S 11-a. Section 426 of the social services law, as amended by  chapter
377 of the laws of 2011, is amended to read as follows:
  S 426. Annual reports. The commissioner shall prepare for inclusion in
the  annual  report  required by subdivision (d) of section seventeen of
this chapter to be filed with the governor and the legislature prior  to
December fifteenth of each year, a report on the operations of the state
central  register  of child abuse and maltreatment and the various local
child protective services. The report shall include a  full  statistical
analysis  of  the  reports  made to the central register together with a
report on the implementation of this title, his  OR  HER  evaluation  of
services  offered  under this chapter and his OR HER recommendations for
additional legislation to fulfill  the  purposes  of  this  title.  Such
report shall indicate the number of child abuse and maltreatment reports
and  cases received by the statewide central register of child abuse and
maltreatment by each district in the preceding year, the number of  such
cases  determined  to  have  been indicated and the number of such cases
determined to be unfounded by each district in the preceding  year,  the
number  of  such cases which have not been indicated or unfounded within
the time period required by subdivision seven of  section  four  hundred
twenty-four  of this [chapter] ARTICLE by each district in the preceding
year and the number of workers assigned to the child protective  service
in each district in the preceding year. Such report shall include, among
other  information,  available  demographic  information  and  available
information concerning the racial  and  ethnic  characteristics  of  the
family  members  and persons served by the differential response program
pursuant to section four hundred twenty-seven-a of the  social  services
law,  as  well as available information concerning the racial and ethnic
characteristics of the family members and  persons  serviced  under  the
traditional  child  protective  services  program,  in each local social
services district in the state. [The report shall also contain  data  on
the  protection of children in residential care from abuse and maltreat-
ment, including reports received, results of investigations by types  of
facilities  and  programs,  types of corrective action taken, as well as
efforts undertaken by the department, the division  for  youth  and  the
state  education  department  to  provide training pursuant to standards
established by section four hundred sixty-two of this  chapter,  section
five  hundred  one  of the executive law and sections forty-four hundred
three, forty-three hundred fourteen, forty-three hundred fifty-eight and
forty-two hundred twelve of the education law.]
  S 12. Section 460 of the social services law, as added by chapter  669
of the laws of 1977, is amended to read as follows:

S. 7749                            67                           A. 10721

  S  460.  Declaration  of policy and statement of purpose.  Residential
care programs for adults and children of the highest quality, efficient-
ly produced and properly utilized at a reasonable cost, are a matter  of
vital concern to the people of this state.  In order to more effectively
protect  and  assure  the life, health, safety and comfort of adults and
children who must be cared for away from their own homes, the department
of social services acting directly or through social services districts,
and with the cooperation of other state agencies, shall have the compre-
hensive  responsibility  for  the  development  and  administration   of
programs,  standards  and methods of operation, and all other matters of
state policy, with respect to residential care programs for children and
adults and all facilities and agencies, whether public or private, which
are subject to the provisions of this article.  FOR THE PURPOSES OF THIS
ARTICLE, WITH RESPECT TO RESIDENTIAL CARE  PROGRAMS  FOR  CHILDREN,  THE
TERM  "DEPARTMENT" SHALL MEAN THE OFFICE OF CHILDREN AND FAMILY SERVICES
AND WITH RESPECT TO RESIDENTIAL CARE PROGRAMS FOR ADULTS, THE TERM SHALL
MEAN THE OFFICE OF CHILDREN AND FAMILY SERVICES IN  RELATION  TO  FAMILY
TYPE  HOMES  FOR ADULTS AND RESIDENTIAL PROGRAMS FOR VICTIMS OF DOMESTIC
VIOLENCE, THE OFFICE OF TEMPORARY AND DISABILITY ASSISTANCE IN  RELATION
TO  SHELTERS FOR ADULTS AND SHELTERS FOR FAMILIES; AND THE DEPARTMENT OF
HEALTH IN RELATION TO ALL OTHER RESIDENTIAL CARE PROGRAMS FOR ADULTS.
  S 13. Subdivision 2-a of section 460-c of the social services law,  as
amended  by chapter 32 of the laws of 1992 and paragraphs (a) and (b) as
amended by chapter 323 of the laws  of  2008,  is  amended  to  read  as
follows:
  2-a.  Special procedures relating to abuse and neglect of [children in
residential care] VULNERABLE PERSONS.  (a) If the report of an  investi-
gation  of  [child]  abuse  or  [maltreatment]  NEGLECT  is  [indicated]
SUBSTANTIATED IN ACCORDANCE WITH ARTICLE ELEVEN  OF  THIS  CHAPTER,  the
director  or operator of a residential facility or program[, including a
program described in paragraph (j) of subdivision four of  section  four
hundred  twelve-a of this chapter,] shall submit to the [office of chil-
dren and family  services]  DEPARTMENT,  within  ten  business  days  of
receipt  of  notice  of  the [indicated] SUBSTANTIATED report, a written
plan of prevention and remediation to  be  taken  with  respect  to  the
subject of [the indicated] SUCH report to [assure] PROTECT the continued
health  [and],  safety  AND WELFARE of [children] THE SERVICE RECIPIENTS
and provide for the prevention of future acts of abuse or [maltreatment]
NEGLECT. The [office of children and family services]  DEPARTMENT  shall
approve  or  disapprove such plan and specify necessary revisions within
ten days of its receipt and shall monitor its implementation pursuant to
the provisions of this chapter.
  (b) In the event an investigation of a report of alleged [child] abuse
or [maltreatment] NEGLECT determines that [some credible]  A  PREPONDER-
ANCE  OF  evidence  of  abuse  or [maltreatment] NEGLECT exists and such
abuse or [maltreatment] NEGLECT may be attributed in whole or in part to
noncompliance by the facility or program[, including a program described
in paragraph (j) of subdivision four of section four hundred twelve-a of
this chapter,] with provisions of this chapter  or  regulations  of  the
[office  of  children  and family services] DEPARTMENT applicable to the
operation of such residential facility or program, the director or oper-
ator of such facility or program shall, in consultation  with  officials
of the department responsible for the approval of operating certificates
and  for  monitoring  the provision of protective services to [children]
SERVICE RECIPIENTS, develop a plan of prevention and  remediation  which
shall be submitted to and approved by the [office of children and family

S. 7749                            68                           A. 10721

services] DEPARTMENT in accordance with time limits established by regu-
lations  of  the  [office  of  children and family services] DEPARTMENT.
Implementation of such plan shall be jointly monitored by  officials  of
the  [office of children and family services] DEPARTMENT responsible for
the approval of operating certificates and for monitoring the  provision
of  protective  services  to [children] SERVICE RECIPIENTS. In reviewing
the continuing qualification of a residential [child care]  facility  or
program for an operating certificate, the [office of children and family
services] DEPARTMENT shall evaluate such facility's or program's compli-
ance  with plans of prevention and remediation developed and implemented
pursuant to this section.
  (c) Development and implementation of plans pursuant to  this  section
shall,  to  the  extent  possible, be coordinated with remediation plans
required by local social services districts.
  S 14. Section 461-m of the social services law, as amended by  chapter
462 of the laws of 1996, is amended to read as follows:
  S  461-m.  Death and felony crime reporting.  The operator of an adult
home or residence for adults shall have an affirmative  duty  to  report
any  death,  or attempted suicide of a resident to the department within
twenty-four hours of its occurrence, and shall also have an  affirmative
duty  to  report  to  an  appropriate law enforcement authority if it is
believed that a felony crime may have been committed against a  resident
of such facility as soon as possible, or in any event within forty-eight
hours.    In  addition,  the operator shall send any reports involving a
resident who had at any time received services  from  a  mental  hygiene
service  provider  to  the  [state commission on quality of care for the
mentally disabled] JUSTICE CENTER FOR  THE  PROTECTION  OF  PEOPLE  WITH
SPECIAL NEEDS.
  S  15.  Section  461-o of the social services law, as added by chapter
462 of the laws of 1996, is amended to read as follows:
  S 461-o. Complaint  investigation  procedures.  The  department  shall
establish   procedures   governing  the  receipt  and  investigation  of
complaints regarding the care afforded to residents of adult care facil-
ities CONSISTENT WITH ARTICLE ELEVEN OF  THIS  CHAPTER,  AS  APPLICABLE.
Such  procedures  shall  assure  the confidentiality of the complainant.
Such procedures shall include but not be limited to the  procedures  for
reporting complaints, either in writing or orally to the department, and
the  time  frames  governing  the  investigation  of any such complaints
submitted to the department. Provided however, if any complaint  alleges
the  abuse or neglect of a resident or involves an incident that exposes
a resident to cruel or unsafe care or  otherwise  represents  a  serious
resident  care  issue, the department shall ensure that an investigation
of any such complaint is initiated immediately and in no event commenced
less than seventy-two hours from the time such complaint is received  by
the department.  Upon the conclusion of the investigation by the depart-
ment  the  operator  and the complainant shall be notified in writing of
the results of such investigation OR, AS APPLICABLE, PURSUANT TO ARTICLE
ELEVEN OF THIS CHAPTER.
  S 16. Section 462 of the social services law, as added by chapter  669
of the laws of 1977, subdivision 1 as amended by chapter 677 of the laws
of  1985,  paragraphs (b) and (c) of subdivision 1 as amended by chapter
32 of the laws of 1992, paragraph (f) of subdivision 1 as added by chap-
ter 472 of the laws of 2004, paragraph (a) of subdivision 2  as  amended
by chapter 800 of the laws of 1985 and paragraph (b) of subdivision 2 as
amended  by  chapter  558  of  the  laws  of 1999, is amended to read as
follows:

S. 7749                            69                           A. 10721

  S 462. Responsibility for standards. 1. (a) The [department of  social
services]  OFFICE OF CHILDREN AND FAMILY SERVICES shall promulgate regu-
lations concerning standards of care and treatment and fiscal,  adminis-
trative,  nutritional,  architectural  and  safety standards, consistent
with  the  provisions  of  section  three hundred ninety-eight-a of this
chapter, which shall apply to all facilities exercising care or  custody
of children or providing care or shelter to unmarried mothers.
  (b) With respect to facilities exercising care or custody of children,
no  license or operating certificate shall be provided or renewed unless
it can be demonstrated that such facilities comply with regulations  for
the prevention and remediation of [abuse and maltreatment of] REPORTABLE
INCIDENTS  INVOLVING  children  in such facilities, including procedures
for:
  (i) consistent with appropriate collective bargaining  agreements  and
applicable  provisions  of the civil service law, [the review and evalu-
ation of the backgrounds of and the information supplied by  any  person
applying  to  be  an  employee,  a  volunteer or consultant, which shall
include but not be limited  to  the  following  requirements:  that  the
applicant  set forth his or her employment history, provide personal and
employment references, relevant experiential and educational information
and sign a sworn statement indicating whether the applicant to the  best
of  his  or  her  knowledge,  has ever been convicted of a crime in this
state or any other jurisdiction] ASSISTING THE JUSTICE  CENTER  FOR  THE
PROTECTION  OF  PEOPLE WITH SPECIAL NEEDS WITH ITS REVIEW AND EVALUATION
OF CRIMINAL BACKGROUND CHECKS OF PROSPECTIVE EMPLOYEES, AS SET FORTH  IN
SUBDIVISION  FIVE  OF  SECTION FIVE HUNDRED FIFTY-THREE OF THE EXECUTIVE
LAW;
  (ii) establishing, for employees, relevant  minimal  experiential  and
educational   qualifications   consistent  with  appropriate  collective
bargaining agreements and applicable provisions  of  the  civil  service
law;
  (iii)  assuring  adequate  and  appropriate  supervision of employees,
volunteers and consultants;
  (iv) demonstrating by a residential facility or program that appropri-
ate action is taken to assure the safety of the child  who  is  reported
PURSUANT  TO  ARTICLE  ELEVEN  OF THIS CHAPTER to the [state] VULNERABLE
PERSONS' central register [of child abuse and maltreatment] as  well  as
other  children  in care, immediately upon notification that a report of
[child abuse or maltreatment] A REPORTABLE INCIDENT has been  made  with
respect to a child in such facility or program;
  (v)  CONSISTENT  WITH  APPLICABLE  COLLECTIVE  BARGAINING  AGREEMENTS,
ASSURING THAT AN INDIVIDUAL WHO HAS COMMITTED A CATEGORY ONE OFFENSE, AS
DEFINED IN PARAGRAPH (A) OF SUBDIVISION FIVE  OF  SECTION  FOUR  HUNDRED
NINETY-THREE  OF  THIS  CHAPTER,  THAT  IS  INCLUDED  ON  THE VULNERABLE
PERSONS' CENTRAL REGISTER IS NOT HIRED OR OTHERWISE USED IN ANY POSITION
IN WHICH SUCH INDIVIDUAL WOULD HAVE REGULAR AND SUBSTANTIAL CONTACT WITH
A SERVICE RECIPIENT IN ANY PROGRAM OPERATED, LICENSED  OR  CERTIFIED  BY
THE OFFICE;
  (VI)  removing  a child, consistent as applicable with any court order
placing the child, when it is determined that  there  is  risk  to  such
child if he or she continues to remain within a facility or program;
  [(vi)]  (VII)  appropriate  preventive and remedial action to be taken
including legal actions, consistent with appropriate collective bargain-
ing agreements and applicable provisions of the civil service law.
  (c) With respect to facilities exercising care or custody of  children
such standards shall establish as a priority that:

S. 7749                            70                           A. 10721

  (i)  subject  to  the  amounts  appropriated therefor, administrators,
employees, volunteers and consultants receive training in at  least  the
following: child abuse prevention and identification, safety and securi-
ty  procedures, the principles of child development, the characteristics
of children in care and techniques of group and child management includ-
ing  crisis intervention, the laws, regulations and procedures governing
the protection of children from abuse and  [maltreatment]  NEGLECT,  and
other appropriate topics, provided however, that the [department] OFFICE
may exempt administrators and consultants of such facilities or programs
from  such  requirements  upon demonstration of substantially equivalent
knowledge or experience; and
  (ii) subject to the amounts appropriated  therefor,  children  receive
instruction,  consistent with their age, needs and circumstances as well
as the needs and circumstances within the facility or program, in  tech-
niques  and  procedures  which will enable such children to ADVOCATE FOR
AND protect themselves from [abuse and  maltreatment]  REPORTABLE  INCI-
DENTS; and
  (iii)  the  [department]  OFFICE,  IN  CONSULTATION WITH THE EXECUTIVE
DIRECTOR OF THE JUSTICE CENTER FOR PERSONS  WITH  SPECIAL  NEEDS,  shall
take  all  reasonable  and  necessary  actions to assure that employees,
volunteers and consultants in residential care facilities  and  programs
are kept apprised on a current basis of all [department] OFFICE policies
and  procedures  relating  to the protection of children from [abuse and
maltreatment] REPORTABLE INCIDENTS, and shall monitor and supervise  the
provision  of  training  to  such administrators, employees, volunteers,
children and consultants.
  (d) Such regulations shall be developed  in  consultation  with  other
state  departments  and agencies responsible for human services programs
including, but not limited to, the department of education, the  depart-
ment  of  health,  [the  department  of mental hygiene, the division for
youth and the board of social welfare,] THE OFFICE OF MENTAL HEALTH, THE
OFFICE FOR PEOPLE WITH DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES, THE OFFICE  OF  ALCO-
HOLISM  AND  SUBSTANCE  ABUSE  SERVICES  AND  THE JUSTICE CENTER FOR THE
PROTECTION OF PEOPLE WITH SPECIAL NEEDS and shall, to the extent  possi-
ble,  be  consistent  with those promulgated by other state agencies for
such purposes.
  (e) This subdivision shall not apply  to  facilities  operated  by  or
certified or licensed to operate by another state agency.
  (f)  No residential institution for children as defined in subdivision
forty-four of section sixteen hundred seventy-six of the public authori-
ties law shall enter into a lease, sub-lease or other agreement with the
dormitory authority pursuant to subdivision  forty  of  section  sixteen
hundred eighty of the public authorities law unless and until:
  (i)  the  office  of children and family services, the director of the
division of the budget and any other state agency  which  licenses  such
residential  institutions for children first determines that the project
is necessary to address health and  safety  needs  of  children  at  the
institution, approve the project cost upon determination that such costs
are  reasonable, necessary and cost effective based upon the application
of cost per square foot guidelines and any other standards applicable to
the type of program or to the clinically-required needs of a specialized
group of children to be served by the project; and
  (ii) the office of children and family services or  such  other  state
agency which licenses such residential institution for children approves
the  plans  and  specifications  of  the  residential  facilities  to be

S. 7749                            71                           A. 10721

replaced, reconstructed, rehabilitated, improved, renovated,  or  other-
wise provided for, furnished or equipped.
  2.  (a)  The  [division  for youth] OFFICE shall establish regulations
governing secure and non-secure detention facilities subject to  article
nineteen-G  of  the executive law and residential facilities operated as
approved runaway programs or  transitional  independent  living  support
programs pursuant to article nineteen-H of the executive law.
  (b)  The appropriate offices of the state department of mental hygiene
shall establish regulations governing all child care facilities  subject
to  articles  [twenty-three,]  thirty-one  and  thirty-two of the mental
hygiene law.
  (c) The department of mental hygiene  and  the  [division  for  youth]
OFFICE shall propose any additional standards as are deemed necessary to
adequately  ensure  the  care  of  children in facilities subject to the
inspection and supervision of the department, which care for  a  signif-
icant  number  of  mentally  disabled  children, juvenile delinquents or
persons in need of supervision. The final form of  any  such  additional
standards  shall  be subject to the approval of the department of mental
hygiene for such standards related to  the  care  of  mentally  disabled
children,  or the [division for youth] OFFICE for such standards related
to the care of juvenile delinquents and persons in need of supervision.
  S 16-a. Section 462-a of the social services law, as added by  chapter
669  of the laws of 1977, subdivision 1 as amended by chapter 465 of the
laws of 1992, subdivision 2 as amended by chapter 558  of  the  laws  of
1999,  subdivision  3  as amended by chapter 163 of the laws of 1992, is
amended to read as follows:
  S 462-a. Responsibility for inspection and supervision. 1. The  [divi-
sion for youth] OFFICE OF CHILDREN AND FAMILY SERVICES shall inspect and
supervise secure and non-secure detention facilities and those [division
for youth] OFFICE OF CHILDREN AND FAMILY SERVICES residential facilities
authorized by article nineteen-G of the executive law and those residen-
tial  facilities  operated  as approved runaway programs or transitional
independent living support programs pursuant to  article  nineteen-H  of
the executive law.
  2.  The  appropriate offices of the state department of mental hygiene
shall inspect and supervise those facilities subject to articles  [twen-
ty-three,] thirty-one and thirty-two of the mental hygiene law.
  3. For those facilities which care for a significant number of mental-
ly  disabled  children,  the department shall enter into written cooper-
ative agreements no later than October first, nineteen hundred  seventy-
seven  with  the  department  of mental hygiene for joint inspection and
supervision of such facilities, as appropriate.
  4. The [department of social services] OFFICE OF CHILDREN  AND  FAMILY
SERVICES  shall  inspect  and  supervise all other child care facilities
subject to its regulation.
  S 16-b. Section 462-b of the social services law, as added by  chapter
669  of the laws of 1977, subdivision 1 as amended by chapter 465 of the
laws of 1992, subdivision 2 as amended by chapter 558  of  the  laws  of
1999,  subdivision  3  as amended by chapter 163 of the laws of 1992, is
amended to read as follows:
  S 462-b. Responsibility for enforcement. 1. The [division  for  youth]
OFFICE  OF  CHILDREN  AND FAMILY SERVICES shall exercise the enforcement
powers enumerated in section four hundred sixty-d of this article  which
may  apply  to  secure  and non-secure detention facilities and to those
[division for youth] OFFICE OF CHILDREN AND FAMILY SERVICES  residential
facilities  authorized  by  article  nineteen-G of the executive law and

S. 7749                            72                           A. 10721

those residential facilities operated as approved  runaway  programs  or
transitional  independent  living  support  programs pursuant to article
nineteen-H of the executive law.
  2.  The  appropriate offices of the state department of mental hygiene
shall exercise the enforcement powers enumerated in section four hundred
sixty-d of this article which may apply to those facilities  subject  to
articles [twenty-three,] thirty-one and thirty-two of the mental hygiene
law.
  3.  With  respect to facilities which care for a significant number of
mentally disabled children, the  department  shall  enter  into  written
cooperative  agreements  no  later  than October first, nineteen hundred
seventy-seven with the department of mental hygiene establishing circum-
stances under which the department will at the request of the department
of mental hygiene act to limit or modify the  operating  certificate  of
any  facility so as to preclude such facility from accepting, caring for
or continuing to care for mentally disabled children.
  4. The [department of social services] OFFICE OF CHILDREN  AND  FAMILY
SERVICES  shall  exercise  the  enforcement powers enumerated in section
four hundred sixty-d of this article with respect  to  all  other  child
caring  facilities  subject to its regulation either independently or at
the request of the department of mental hygiene  [or  the  division  for
youth].
  S  17.  This  act  shall take effect June 30, 2013; provided, however,
that the amendments to section 426 of the social services  law  made  by
section  eleven-a  of  this  act  shall  take effect on the same date as
section 6 of chapter 377 of the laws  of  2011  takes  effect;  provided
further,  that  effective immediately, the addition, amendment or repeal
of any rule or regulation necessary for the implementation of  this  act
on  its  effective  date  are  authorized to be made and completed on or
before such effective date.

                                 PART E

  Section 1. Subdivision 5 of section 1125  of  the  education  law,  as
added by chapter 180 of the laws of 2000, is amended to read as follows:
  5.  "Educational  setting"  shall  mean  the building and grounds of a
public school district, the vehicles provided by the school district for
the transportation of students  to  and  from  school  buildings,  field
trips,  co-curricular  and  extra-curricular  activities both on and off
school district grounds, all co-curricular and extra-curricular activity
sites, and any other location where direct contact between  an  employee
or  volunteer  and  a child has allegedly occurred.  SUCH TERM SHALL NOT
INCLUDE A SPECIAL ACT SCHOOL DISTRICT AS DEFINED IN SECTION  FOUR  THOU-
SAND ONE OF THIS CHAPTER WHICH SHALL BE SUBJECT TO ARTICLE ELEVEN OF THE
SOCIAL SERVICES LAW.
  S  1-a. Subdivisions (a), (b) and (c) of section 4212 of the education
law, as amended by chapter 32 of the laws of 1992, are amended  to  read
as follows:
  (a)  Promulgate regulations concerning standards for the protection of
children in residential care from [abuse  and  maltreatment]  REPORTABLE
INCIDENTS  IN  ACCORDANCE  WITH  THIS  SECTION AND ARTICLE ELEVEN OF THE
SOCIAL SERVICES LAW, including procedures for:
  (i) consistent with appropriate collective bargaining  agreements  and
applicable  provisions  of  the civil service law, the review and evalu-
ation of the backgrounds of and the information supplied by  any  person
applying  to  be  an  employee,  a  volunteer or consultant, which shall

S. 7749                            73                           A. 10721

include but not be limited  to  the  following  requirements:  that  the
applicant  set forth his or her employment history, provide personal and
employment references, and relevant experiential and educational  infor-
mation,  and sign a sworn statement indicating whether the applicant, to
the best of his or her knowledge, has ever been convicted of a crime  in
this state or any other jurisdiction;
  (ii)  establishing,  for  employees, relevant minimal experiential and
educational  qualifications,  consistent  with  appropriate   collective
bargaining  agreements  and  applicable  provisions of the civil service
law;
  (iii) assuring adequate  and  appropriate  supervision  of  employees,
volunteers and consultants;
  (iv) demonstrating by a residential facility or program that appropri-
ate  action is taken to assure the safety of the child who is [reported]
ALLEGED TO HAVE BEEN SUBJECTED TO A REPORTABLE INCIDENT IN A  REPORT  to
the  [state]  VULNERABLE  PERSONS'  central  register IN ACCORDANCE WITH
SECTION FOUR HUNDRED NINETY-TWO OF THE SOCIAL SERVICES LAW  as  well  as
other children in care, immediately upon notification that SUCH a report
of  [child abuse or maltreatment] AN ALLEGATION OF A REPORTABLE INCIDENT
has been made with respect to a child in such  residential  facility  or
program;
  (v)  removing a child when it is determined that there is risk to such
child if he or she continues to remain within a residential facility  or
program; and
  (vi)  appropriate preventive and remedial action to be taken including
legal actions, consistent with appropriate collective bargaining  agree-
ments and applicable provisions of the civil service law.
  (VII)  CONSISTENT  WITH  APPLICABLE  COLLECTIVE BARGAINING AGREEMENTS,
ASSURING THAT AN INDIVIDUAL WHO HAS COMMITTED A CATEGORY ONE OFFENSE, AS
DEFINED IN PARAGRAPH (A) OF SUBDIVISION FOUR  OF  SECTION  FOUR  HUNDRED
NINETY-THREE OF THE SOCIAL SERVICES LAW, THAT IS INCLUDED ON THE VULNER-
ABLE  PERSONS'  CENTRAL  REGISTER  IS NOT HIRED OR OTHERWISE USED IN ANY
POSITION IN WHICH SUCH INDIVIDUAL WOULD  HAVE  REGULAR  AND  SUBSTANTIAL
CONTACT  WITH  A SERVICE RECIPIENT IN ANY PROGRAM DESCRIBED IN PARAGRAPH
(E) OF SUBDIVISION FOUR OF SECTION  FOUR  HUNDRED  EIGHTY-EIGHT  OF  THE
SOCIAL SERVICES LAW.
  Such standards shall also establish as a priority requirements that:
  (A)  subject  to  the  amounts  appropriated therefor, administrators,
employees, volunteers and consultants receive training in at  least  the
following: child abuse prevention and identification, safety and securi-
ty  procedures, the principles of child development, the characteristics
of children in care and techniques of group and child management includ-
ing crisis intervention, the laws, regulations and procedures  governing
the  protection  of  children  from  [abuse and maltreatment] REPORTABLE
INCIDENTS, and other appropriate topics,  provided,  however,  that  the
department  may exempt administrators and consultants from such require-
ments upon demonstration of substantially equivalent knowledge or  expe-
rience; and
  (B)  subject  to  the  amounts appropriated therefor, children receive
instruction, consistent with their age, needs and circumstances as  well
as  the  needs  and  circumstances within the program, in techniques and
procedures which will enable such children to  protect  themselves  from
[abuse and maltreatment] REPORTABLE INCIDENTS.
  The  department  shall  take  all  reasonable and necessary actions to
assure that employees, volunteers and consultants in residential facili-
ties and programs are kept apprised on a current basis of all department

S. 7749                            74                           A. 10721

policies and procedures relating to  the  protection  of  children  from
[abuse  and  maltreatment]  REPORTABLE  INCIDENTS, and shall monitor and
supervise the provision of training to such  employees,  volunteers  and
consultants. Regulations and standards developed pursuant to this subdi-
vision  shall,  to the extent possible, be consistent with those promul-
gated by other state agencies for such purposes.
  (b) [Cooperate with the state department of social services to protect
the health and safety of pupils at the school pursuant to title  six  of
article  six of the social services law. Such cooperation shall include:
the making of reports of alleged child abuse or maltreatment;  providing
necessary  assistance  to the state department of social services in the
department's investigation thereof and considering  the  recommendations
of  the  state department of social services for preventive and remedial
action including legal action and  provide  or  direct  the  residential
facility  to  provide  such written reports thereon to the department of
social services as to the implementation  of  plans  of  prevention  and
remediation approved by the department of education; and
  (c)]  Provide  for  the  development  and  implementation of a plan of
prevention and remediation with respect to [an indicated]  A  SUBSTANTI-
ATED  report  of  [child  abuse  or maltreatment] A REPORTABLE INCIDENT.
Such action shall include: (i) within ten days of receipt of  [an  indi-
cated] SUCH A report of [child abuse or maltreatment] A REPORTABLE INCI-
DENT, development and implementation of a plan of prevention and remedi-
ation  to  be  taken  with  respect  to  a  custodian or the residential
facility in order to assure the continued health and safety of  children
and  to provide for the prevention of future acts [of abuse or maltreat-
ment] CONSTITUTING REPORTABLE INCIDENTS; and (ii) development and imple-
mentation of a plan of prevention  and  remediation,  in  the  event  an
investigation  of  a  report of AN alleged [child abuse or maltreatment]
REPORTABLE INCIDENT determines that some credible evidence of [abuse  or
maltreatment]  SUCH  REPORTABLE  INCIDENT  exists  and  such  [abuse  or
maltreatment] REPORTABLE INCIDENT may be attributed in whole or in  part
to  noncompliance by the residential facility or program with provisions
of this chapter or regulations of the department applicable to the oper-
ation of a residential facility or program. Any plan of  prevention  and
remediation required to be developed [pursuant to paragraph (ii) of this
subdivision] by a facility supervised by the department shall be submit-
ted  to  and  approved  by the department in accordance with time limits
established by regulations of the department. Implementation of the plan
shall be monitored by the department. In reviewing the continued  quali-
fications  of a residential facility or program for an operating certif-
icate, the department shall evaluate  such  facility's  compliance  with
plans  of  prevention and remediation developed and implemented pursuant
to this subdivision.
  S 2. Section 4314 of the education law, as added by chapter 677 of the
laws of 1985, subdivisions (a), (b) and (c) as amended by chapter 32  of
the laws of 1992, is amended to read as follows:
  S 4314. Protection of pupils. The department shall:
  (a)  Promulgate regulations concerning standards for the protection of
children in residential care from [abuse  and  maltreatment]  REPORTABLE
INCIDENTS  IN  ACCORDANCE  WITH  THIS  SECTION AND ARTICLE ELEVEN OF THE
SOCIAL SERVICES LAW, including procedures for:
  (i) consistent with appropriate collective agreements  and  applicable
provisions  of  the  civil service law, the review and evaluation of the
backgrounds of and the information supplied by any person applying to be
an employee, a volunteer or consultant, which shall include but  not  be

S. 7749                            75                           A. 10721

limited  to the following requirements: that the applicant set forth his
or her employment history, provide personal and  employment  references,
and  relevant experiential and educational information, and sign a sworn
statement  indicating  whether  the applicant, to the best of his or her
knowledge, has ever been convicted of a crime in this state or any other
jurisdiction;
  (ii) establishing for employees,  relevant  minimal  experiential  and
educational   qualifications   consistent  with  appropriate  collective
bargaining agreements and applicable provisions  of  the  civil  service
law;
  (iii)  assuring  adequate  and  appropriate  supervision of employees,
volunteers and consultants;
  (iv) demonstrating by a residential facility or program that appropri-
ate action is taken to assure the safety of the child who is  [reported]
ALLEGED  TO  HAVE BEEN SUBJECTED TO A REPORTABLE INCIDENT IN A REPORT to
the [state] VULNERABLE PERSONS'  central  register  IN  ACCORDANCE  WITH
SECTION  FOUR  HUNDRED  NINETY-TWO OF THE SOCIAL SERVICES LAW as well as
other children in care, immediately upon notification that SUCH a report
of [child abuse or maltreatment] AN ALLEGATION OF A REPORTABLE  INCIDENT
has  been  made [with respect to a child in such residential facility or
program];
  (v) removing a child when it is determined that there is risk to  such
child  if he or she continues to remain within a residential facility or
program; and
  (vi) appropriate preventive and remedial action to be taken  including
legal  actions, consistent with appropriate collective bargaining agree-
ments and applicable provisions of the civil service law.
  Such standards shall also establish as a priority  requirements  that:
(1)  subject  to  the  amounts  appropriated  therefor,  administrators,
employees, volunteers and consultants receive training in at  least  the
following:   child abuse prevention and identification, safety and secu-
rity procedures, the principles of  child  development,  the  character-
istics  of children in care and techniques of group and child management
including crisis intervention,  the  laws,  regulations  and  procedures
governing  the  protection  of  children  from  [abuse and maltreatment]
REPORTABLE INCIDENTS, and other appropriate  topics,  provided  however,
that  the department may exempt administrators and consultants from such
requirements upon demonstration of substantially equivalent knowledge or
experience; and
  (2) subject to the amounts  appropriated  therefor,  children  receive
instruction,  consistent with their age, needs and circumstances as well
as the needs and circumstances within the facility or program, in  tech-
niques  and  procedures which will enable such children to protect them-
selves from [abuse and maltreatment] REPORTABLE INCIDENTS.
  The department, IN CONSULTATION WITH THE  EXECUTIVE  DIRECTOR  OF  THE
JUSTICE  CENTER  FOR  THE PROTECTION OF PEOPLE WITH SPECIAL NEEDS, shall
take all reasonable and necessary  actions  to  assure  that  employees,
volunteers  and  consultants in residential facilities are kept apprised
on a current basis of all department policies and procedures relating to
the protection of children  from  [abuse  and  maltreatment]  REPORTABLE
INCIDENTS  and  shall monitor and supervise the provision of training to
such employees, volunteers and consultants.  Regulations  and  standards
developed  pursuant  to  this  section shall, to the extent possible, be
consistent with those promulgated  by  other  state  agencies  for  such
purposes;

S. 7749                            76                           A. 10721

  (b) [Cooperate with the state department of social services to protect
the  health  and safety of pupils at the school pursuant to title six of
article six of the social services law. Such cooperation shall  include:
the  making of reports of alleged child abuse or maltreatment; providing
necessary  assistance  to the state department of social services in the
department's investigation thereof and considering  the  recommendations
of  the  state department of social services for preventive and remedial
action including legal action and  provide  or  direct  the  residential
facility  to  provide  such written reports thereon to the department of
social services as to the implementation  of  plans  of  prevention  and
remediation approved by the department; and
  (c)]  Provide  for  the  development  and  implementation of a plan of
prevention and remediation with respect to [an indicated]  A  SUBSTANTI-
ATED  report  of  [child  abuse  or maltreatment] A REPORTABLE INCIDENT.
Such action shall include: (i) within ten days of receipt of  [an  indi-
cated] SUCH A report of [child abuse or maltreatment] A REPORTABLE INCI-
DENT, development and implementation of a plan of prevention and remedi-
ation  to  be  taken  with  respect  to  a  custodian or the residential
facility in order to assure the continued health and safety of  children
and  to provide for the prevention of future acts [of abuse or maltreat-
ment] CONSTITUTING REPORTABLE INCIDENTS; and (ii) development and imple-
mentation of a plan of prevention  and  remediation,  in  the  event  an
investigation  of  a  report of AN alleged [child abuse or maltreatment]
REPORTABLE INCIDENT determines that some credible evidence of [abuse  or
maltreatment]  SUCH  REPORTABLE  INCIDENT  exists  and  such  [abuse  or
maltreatment] REPORTABLE INCIDENT may be attributed in whole or in  part
to  noncompliance by the residential facility or program with provisions
of this chapter or regulations of the department applicable to the oper-
ation of such residential facility or program. Any  plan  of  prevention
and remediation required to be developed pursuant to [paragraph (ii) of]
this  subdivision  by  a  facility supervised by the department shall be
submitted to and approved by the  department  in  accordance  with  time
limits  established  by regulations of the department. Implementation of
the plan shall be monitored by the department. In reviewing the  contin-
ued qualifications of a residential facility or program for an operating
certificate,  the  department  shall evaluate such facility's compliance
with plans of  prevention  and  remediation  developed  and  implemented
pursuant to this subdivision.
  S 3. Section 4358 of the education law, as added by chapter 677 of the
laws  of 1985, subdivisions (a), (b) and (c) as amended by chapter 32 of
the laws of 1992, is amended to read as follows:
  S 4358. Protection of pupils.  The department shall:
  (a) Promulgate regulations concerning standards for the protection  of
children  in  residential  care from [abuse and maltreatment] REPORTABLE
INCIDENTS IN ACCORDANCE WITH THIS SECTION  AND  ARTICLE  ELEVEN  OF  THE
SOCIAL SERVICES LAW, including procedures for:
  (i)  consistent  with appropriate collective bargaining agreements and
applicable provisions of the civil service law, the  review  and  evalu-
ation  of  the backgrounds of and the information supplied by any person
applying to be an employee,  a  volunteer  or  consultant,  which  shall
include  but  not  be  limited  to  the following requirements: that the
applicant set forth his or her employment history, provide personal  and
employment references and relevant experiential and educational informa-
tion,  and  sign  a sworn statement indicating whether the applicant, to
the best of his or her knowledge, has ever been convicted of a crime  in
this state or any other jurisdiction;

S. 7749                            77                           A. 10721

  (ii)  establishing,  for  employees, relevant minimal experiential and
educational  qualifications,  consistent  with  appropriate   collective
bargaining  agreements  and  applicable  provisions of the civil service
law;
  (iii)  assuring  adequate  and  appropriate  supervision of employees,
volunteers and consultants;
  (iv) demonstrating by a residential facility or program that appropri-
ate action is taken to assure the safety of the child who is  [reported]
ALLEGED  TO  HAVE BEEN SUBJECTED TO A REPORTABLE INCIDENT IN A REPORT to
the [state] VULNERABLE PERSONS'  central  register  IN  ACCORDANCE  WITH
SECTION  FOUR  HUNDRED  NINETY-TWO OF THE SOCIAL SERVICES LAW as well as
other children in care, immediately upon notification that SUCH a report
of [child abuse or maltreatment] AN ALLEGATION OF A REPORTABLE  INCIDENT
has been made [with respect to a child in such facility or program];
  (v)  removing a child when it is determined that there is risk to such
child if he or she continues to remain within a facility or program; and
  (vi) appropriate preventive and remedial action to be taken  including
legal  actions, consistent with appropriate collective bargaining agree-
ments and applicable provisions of the civil service law.
  Such standards shall also establish as a priority  requirements  that:
(A)  subject  to  the  amounts  appropriated  therefor,  administrators,
employees, volunteers and consultants receive training in at  least  the
following: child abuse prevention and identification, safety and securi-
ty  procedures, the principles of child development, the characteristics
of children in care and techniques of group and child management includ-
ing crisis intervention, the laws, regulations and procedures  governing
the  protection  of  children  from  [abuse and maltreatment] REPORTABLE
INCIDENTS, and other appropriate  topics,  provided  however,  that  the
department  may exempt administrators and consultants from such require-
ments upon demonstration of substantially equivalent knowledge or  expe-
rience; and
  (B)  subject  to  the  amounts appropriated therefor, children receive
instruction, consistent with their age, needs and circumstances as  well
as the needs and circumstances of the facility, in techniques and proce-
dures  which will enable such children to protect themselves from [abuse
and maltreatment] REPORTABLE INCIDENTS.
  The department shall take all  reasonable  and  necessary  actions  to
assure that employees, volunteers and consultants in residential facili-
ties and programs are kept apprised on a current basis of all department
policies  and  procedures  relating  to  the protection of children from
[abuse and maltreatment] REPORTABLE  INCIDENTS  and  shall  monitor  and
supervise  the  provision of training to such administrators, employees,
volunteers, children and consultants. Regulations and  standards  devel-
oped pursuant to this section shall, to the extent possible, be consist-
ent with those promulgated by other state agencies for such purposes;
  (b) [Cooperate with the state department of social services to protect
the  health  and safety of pupils at the school pursuant to title six of
article six of the social services law. Such cooperation shall  include:
the  making of reports of alleged child abuse or maltreatment; providing
necessary assistance to the state department of social services  in  the
department's  investigation  thereof and considering the recommendations
of the state department of social services for preventive  and  remedial
action  including  legal  action  and  provide or direct the residential
facility to provide such written reports to  the  department  of  social
services as to the implementation of plans of prevention and remediation
approved by the department; and

S. 7749                            78                           A. 10721

  (c)]  Provide  for  the  development  and  implementation of a plan of
prevention and remediation with respect to [an indicated]  A  SUBSTANTI-
ATED report of [child abuse or maltreatment] A REPORTABLE INCIDENT. Such
action  shall  include: (i) within ten days of receipt of [an indicated]
SUCH A report [of child abuse or maltreatment] OF A REPORTABLE INCIDENT,
development  and  implementation of a plan of prevention and remediation
to be taken with respect to a custodian or the residential  facility  in
order  to  assure  the  continued  health  and safety of children and to
provide for the prevention of future acts  [of  abuse  or  maltreatment]
CONSTITUTING  REPORTABLE INCIDENTS; and (ii) development and implementa-
tion of a plan of prevention and remediation, in the event  an  investi-
gation  of  a report of AN alleged [child abuse or maltreatment] REPORT-
ABLE INCIDENT determines  that  some  credible  evidence  of  [abuse  or
maltreatment]  SUCH  REPORTABLE  INCIDENT  exists  and  such  [abuse  or
maltreatment] REPORTABLE INCIDENT may be attributed in whole or in  part
to  noncompliance by the residential facility or program with provisions
of this chapter or regulations of the department applicable to the oper-
ation of such residential facility or program. Any  plan  of  prevention
and remediation required to be developed pursuant to [paragraph (ii) of]
this  subdivision  by  a  facility supervised by the department shall be
submitted to and approved by the  department  in  accordance  with  time
limits  established by regulations of the department.  Implementation of
the plan shall be monitored by the department. In reviewing the  contin-
ued qualifications of a residential facility or program for an operating
certificate,  the  department  shall evaluate such facility's compliance
with plans of  prevention  and  remediation  developed  and  implemented
pursuant to this subdivision.
  S  4.  Subdivisions  11,  12,  13,  14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19 and 19-a of
section 4403 of the education law, subdivisions 11, 12 and 13 as amended
by chapter 32 of the laws of 1992, subdivisions 14, 15 and 16  as  added
by  chapter 53 of the laws of 1986, subdivision 17 as amended by chapter
53 of the laws of 1987, subdivision 18 as added by chapter  428  of  the
laws of 1992, subdivision 19 as added by chapter 600 of the laws of 1994
and  subdivision 19-a as amended by chapter 378 of the laws of 2007, are
amended to read as follows:
  11. To promulgate regulations concerning standards for the  protection
of children in residential care from [abuse and maltreatment] REPORTABLE
INCIDENTS  IN  ACCORDANCE  WITH  THIS  SECTION AND ARTICLE ELEVEN OF THE
SOCIAL SERVICES LAW, including procedures for:
  (a) consistent with appropriate collective bargaining  agreements  and
applicable  provisions  of  the civil service law, the review and evalu-
ation of the backgrounds of and the information supplied by  any  person
applying  to  be  an  employee,  a  volunteer or consultant, which shall
include but not be limited  to  the  following  requirements:  that  the
applicant  set forth his or her employment history, provide personal and
employment references, and relevant experiential and educational  quali-
fications  and, sign a sworn statement indicating whether the applicant,
to the best of his or her knowledge has ever been convicted of  a  crime
in this state or any other jurisdiction;
  (b)  establishing,  for  employees,  relevant minimal experiential and
educational  qualifications,  consistent  with  appropriate   collective
bargaining  agreements  and  applicable  provisions of the civil service
law;
  (c) assuring adequate and appropriate supervision of employees, volun-
teers and consultants;

S. 7749                            79                           A. 10721

  (d) demonstrating by a residential facility or program that  appropri-
ate  action is taken to assure the safety of the child who is [reported]
ALLEGED TO HAVE BEEN SUBJECTED TO A REPORTABLE INCIDENT IN A  REPORT  to
the  [state]  VULNERABLE  PERSONS'  central  register IN ACCORDANCE WITH
SECTION  FOUR  HUNDRED  NINETY-TWO OF THE SOCIAL SERVICES LAW as well as
other children in care, immediately upon notification that SUCH a report
of [child abuse or maltreatment] AN ALLEGATION OF A REPORTABLE  INCIDENT
has  been  made  with respect to a child in such residential facility or
program;
  (e) removing a child when it is determined that there is risk to  such
child  if he or she continues to remain within a residential facility or
program; and
  (f) appropriate preventive and remedial action to be  taken  including
legal  actions, consistent with appropriate collective bargaining agree-
ments and applicable provisions of the civil service law.
  Such standards shall also establish as a priority requirements that:
  (A) subject to amounts appropriated therefor, administrators,  employ-
ees, volunteers and consultants receive training in at least the follow-
ing:    child  abuse  prevention and identification, safety and security
procedures, the principles of child development, the characteristics  of
children in care, and techniques of group and child management including
crisis  intervention, the laws, regulations and procedures governing the
protection of children from [abuse and  maltreatment]  REPORTABLE  INCI-
DENTS,  and other appropriate topics, provided however, that the depart-
ment may exempt administrators and consultants  from  such  requirements
upon  demonstration of substantially equivalent knowledge or experience;
and
  (B) subject to the amounts  appropriated  therefor,  children  receive
instruction,  consistent with their age, needs and circumstances as well
as the needs and circumstances within the  program,  in  techniques  and
procedures  which  will enable such children to ADVOCATE FOR AND protect
themselves from [abuse and maltreatment] REPORTABLE INCIDENTS.
  The department shall take all  reasonable  and  necessary  actions  to
assure that employees, volunteers and consultants in residential facili-
ties and programs are kept apprised on a current basis of all department
policies  and  procedures  relating  to  the protection of children from
[abuse and maltreatment] REPORTABLE  INCIDENTS  and  shall  monitor  and
supervise  the  provision of training to such administrators, employees,
volunteers, children and consultants.  Regulations and standards  devel-
oped  pursuant  to  this  subdivision  shall, to the extent possible, be
consistent with those promulgated  by  other  state  agencies  for  such
purposes.
  12.  [To  cooperate  with  the state department of social services and
other departments, divisions and agencies of the state when a report  is
received pursuant to title six of article six of the social services law
to  protect  the health and safety of children in residential placement.
Such cooperation shall include: the making of reports of  alleged  child
abuse  or  maltreatment;  providing  necessary  assistance  to the state
department of social services in the department's investigation  thereof
and  considering  the  recommendations of the state department of social
services for preventive and remedial action, including legal action  and
providing  written  reports thereon to the department of social services
as to the implementation of plans of prevention and remediation approved
by the department.
  13.] To provide for the development and implementation of  a  plan  of
prevention  and  remediation with respect to [an indicated] A SUBSTANTI-

S. 7749                            80                           A. 10721

ATED report of [child abuse  or  maltreatment]  A  REPORTABLE  INCIDENT.
Such  action  shall include: (a) within ten days of receipt of [an indi-
cated] A SUBSTANTIATED report of [child abuse or maltreatment] A REPORT-
ABLE  INCIDENT,  development  and implementation of a plan of prevention
and remediation to be taken with respect to a custodian or the  residen-
tial  facility  in  order  to  assure the continued health and safety of
children and to provide for the prevention of future acts [of  abuse  or
maltreatment] CONSTITUTING REPORTABLE INCIDENTS; and (b) development and
implementation  of a plan of prevention and remediation, in the event an
investigation of a report of AN alleged [child  abuse  or  maltreatment]
REPORTABLE  INCIDENT determines that some credible evidence of [abuse or
maltreatment]  SUCH  REPORTABLE  INCIDENT  exists  and  such  [abuse  or
maltreatment]  REPORTABLE INCIDENT may be attributed in whole or in part
to noncompliance by the residential facility or program with  provisions
of this chapter or regulations of the department applicable to the oper-
ation  of  such  residential facility or program. Any plan of prevention
and remediation required to be developed pursuant to [paragraph (b)  of]
this  subdivision  by  a  facility supervised by the department shall be
submitted to and approved by the  department  in  accordance  with  time
limits  established  by regulations of the department. Implementation of
the plan shall be monitored by the department. In reviewing the  contin-
ued qualifications of a residential facility or program for an operating
certificate,  the  department  shall evaluate such facility's compliance
with plans of  prevention  and  remediation  developed  and  implemented
pursuant to this subdivision.
  [14]  13.    To  provide  technical assistance to school districts for
appropriate evaluation and assessment.
  [15] 14.   To provide technical  assistance  to  school  districts  to
assist  in  the adaptation of curriculum for the instruction of children
with handicapping conditions.
  [16] 15.   To provide technical  assistance  to  school  districts  to
assist  in  developing  criteria  for placement in special education and
criteria for reviewing the ability of a pupil to participate in  regular
education.
  [17]  16.   Commencing with the nineteen hundred eighty-seven--eighty-
eight school year, to provide for instruction during the months of  July
and  August  of  students with handicapping conditions who have received
state appointments pursuant  to  article  eighty-five,  eighty-seven  or
eighty-eight  of  this chapter and whose handicapping conditions, in the
judgment of the commissioner, are severe enough to exhibit the need  for
a  structured learning environment of twelve months duration to maintain
developmental levels, by making such  appointments  for  twelve  months;
provided that the initial term of appointment of a student with a handi-
capping  condition  who  is  the  minimum  age eligible for such a state
appointment shall not commence during the months of July or August.
  [18] 17.  To approve the provision of early intervention services,  as
defined  in  section  twenty-five hundred forty-one of the public health
law, by agencies which are approved providers  of  special  services  or
programs  pursuant  to  section  forty-four  hundred ten of this article
based on such agency's compliance with  the  coordinated  standards  and
procedures for early intervention services established pursuant to title
II-A of article twenty-five of the public health law and, where applica-
ble, teacher certification requirements.
  [19]  18.   To establish guidelines for determining when a child is at
risk of a  future  placement  in  a  residential  school,  and  for  the
provision  by  committees on special education of information to parents

S. 7749                            81                           A. 10721

and other persons in parental relationship concerning  the  availability
of  community  support  services  to  meet  the needs of the family. The
guidelines shall be developed by the department after consultation  with
the  office of mental health, the office [of mental retardation and] FOR
PEOPLE WITH developmental disabilities, the  office  of  alcoholism  and
substance  abuse  services,  the department of health, the department of
social services and the division for youth.
  [19-a] 19.   To adopt  regulations  prescribing  the  state  complaint
procedures  pursuant  to sections 300.151 through 300.153 of title thir-
ty-four of the code of  federal  regulations,  where  an  individual  or
organization files a written complaint alleging that a public agency has
violated part B of the individuals with disabilities education act. Such
regulations shall include, but not be limited to, remedies for denial of
appropriate  services,  including, as appropriate, the awarding of mone-
tary reimbursement, compensatory services  or  other  corrective  action
appropriate to the needs of the child.
  S  5.  Subdivision 2 of section 3650 of the education law, as added by
chapter 181 of the laws of 2007, is amended to read as follows:
  2. The commissioner, in consultation with  the  [state  commission  on
quality  care and advocacy for persons with disabilities] JUSTICE CENTER
FOR THE PROTECTION OF PEOPLE WITH SPECIAL NEEDS, shall promulgate  rules
and regulations requiring every school bus driver operating a school bus
which has or will have one or more students with a disability as passen-
gers  to  receive training and instruction relating to the understanding
of, and attention to, the special needs of such students. Such  training
and  instruction  may  be  included  with  the  training and instruction
required pursuant to paragraph a of subdivision one of this section  and
shall  be  provided  at least once per year or more frequently as deter-
mined by the commissioner in consultation with the  state  comprehensive
school  bus  driver  safety  training  council. For the purposes of this
subdivision, the term "student with a disability" shall  have  the  same
meaning as such term is defined in subdivision one of section forty-four
hundred  one of this chapter. Any person employed as a school bus driver
on January first, two thousand nine who is subject to the provisions  of
this  subdivision shall comply with the requirements of this subdivision
by July first, two thousand nine. Any  school  bus  driver  hired  after
January  first,  two thousand nine who is subject to the requirements of
this subdivision shall complete such training and instruction  prior  to
assuming his or her duties.
  S  6.  Subdivision 4 of section 1229-d of the vehicle and traffic law,
as added by chapter 181 of the laws of  2007,  is  amended  to  read  as
follows:
  (4)  The  commissioner  of  education, in consultation with the [state
commission on quality care and advocacy for persons  with  disabilities]
JUSTICE  CENTER  FOR  THE PROTECTION OF PEOPLE WITH SPECIAL NEEDS, shall
promulgate rules and regulations requiring that every school bus attend-
ant serving a student or students with a disability receive training and
instruction relating to  the  understanding  of  and  attention  to  the
special  needs  of  such  students. Such training and instruction may be
included with the training and instruction required pursuant to subdivi-
sion three of this section and shall be provided at least once per  year
or  more  frequently  as  determined by the commissioner of education in
consultation with the  state  comprehensive  school  bus  driver  safety
training  council.  For  the  purposes  of  this  subdivision,  the term
"student with a disability" shall have the same meaning as such term  is
defined  in  subdivision  one  of  section forty-four hundred one of the

S. 7749                            82                           A. 10721

education law. Any person employed as a school bus attendant  serving  a
student  or  students  with  a disability on January first, two thousand
nine shall comply with the requirements  of  this  subdivision  by  July
first,  two  thousand  nine.  Any  person hired after January first, two
thousand nine shall complete  such  training,  instruction  and  testing
prior  to assuming his or her duties as a school bus attendant serving a
student or students with a disability.
  S 7. This act shall take effect June 30, 2013; provided, however, that
the amendments to subdivision 18 of section 4403 of  the  education  law
made  by  section  four  of this act shall not affect the repeal of such
subdivision and shall be deemed  repealed  therewith;  provided  further
that the amendments to subdivision 19-a of section 4403 of the education
law  made by section four of this act shall not affect the expiration of
such subdivision and shall be deemed to expire therewith.

                                 PART F

  Section 1. Subdivision (a) of section 16.33 of the mental hygiene law,
as amended by chapter 575 of the laws of 2004, is  amended  to  read  as
follows:
  (a)  Every  provider  of services who contracts with or is approved or
otherwise authorized by the office to provide  services,  except  (1)  a
department  facility,  (2) a hospital as defined in article twenty-eight
of the public health law, or (3) a  licensed  professional  under  title
eight of the education law who does not have employees or volunteers who
will  have regular and substantial unsupervised or unrestricted physical
contact with the clients of such provider, and  every  applicant  to  be
such  a  provider  of  services except (i) a department facility, (ii) a
hospital as defined in article twenty-eight of the public health law, or
(iii) a licensed professional under title eight of the education law and
who does not have employees or volunteers  who  will  have  regular  and
substantial  unsupervised  or  unrestricted  physical  contact  with the
clients of such provider, shall request that the [office] JUSTICE CENTER
FOR THE PROTECTION OF PEOPLE WITH SPECIAL NEEDS  check,  and  upon  such
request  [the  office]  SUCH  JUSTICE  CENTER shall request and shall be
authorized to receive from the division  of  criminal  justice  services
criminal history information, as such phrase is defined in paragraph (c)
of  subdivision  one of section eight hundred forty-five-b of the execu-
tive law, concerning each (A) prospective operator, employee  or  volun-
teer of such provider who will have regular and substantial unsupervised
or  unrestricted  physical contact with the clients of such provider, or
(B) other person over the age of eighteen who is to reside in  a  family
care  home,  except  any person receiving family care services, who will
have regular  and  substantial  unsupervised  or  unrestricted  physical
contact with the clients of such provider. For purposes of this section,
"operator"  shall  include any natural person with an ownership interest
in the provider of services.
  S 2. The mental hygiene law is amended by adding a new  section  19.20
to read as follows:
S  19.20  REVIEW  OF  CRIMINAL  HISTORY  INFORMATION  CONCERNING CERTAIN
           PROSPECTIVE EMPLOYEES AND VOLUNTEERS.
  EVERY PROVIDER OF SERVICES WHO CONTRACTS WITH OR IS APPROVED OR OTHER-
WISE AUTHORIZED BY THE OFFICE TO PROVIDE SERVICES, EXCEPT (1) A  DEPART-
MENT  FACILITY, (2) A HOSPITAL AS DEFINED IN ARTICLE TWENTY-EIGHT OF THE
PUBLIC HEALTH LAW, OR (3) A LICENSED PROFESSIONAL UNDER TITLE  EIGHT  OF
THE  EDUCATION  LAW  WHO  DOES NOT HAVE EMPLOYEES OR VOLUNTEERS WHO WILL

S. 7749                            83                           A. 10721

HAVE REGULAR  AND  SUBSTANTIAL  UNSUPERVISED  OR  UNRESTRICTED  PHYSICAL
CONTACT WITH THE CLIENTS OF SUCH PROVIDER, SHALL REQUEST THAT THE OFFICE
REQUEST AND RECEIVE FROM THE DIVISION OF CRIMINAL JUSTICE SERVICES CRIM-
INAL  HISTORY INFORMATION, AS SUCH PHRASE IS DEFINED IN PARAGRAPH (C) OF
SUBDIVISION ONE OF SECTION EIGHT HUNDRED FORTY-FIVE-B OF  THE  EXECUTIVE
LAW,  CONCERNING EACH PROSPECTIVE EMPLOYEE OR VOLUNTEER OF SUCH PROVIDER
WHO WILL HAVE REGULAR AND SUBSTANTIAL UNSUPERVISED OR UNRESTRICTED PHYS-
ICAL CONTACT WITH THE CLIENTS OF SUCH PROVIDER.
  (A) PRIOR TO REQUESTING THE OFFICE TO OBTAIN A CRIMINAL HISTORY INFOR-
MATION CONCERNING ANY PROSPECTIVE  EMPLOYEE  OR  VOLUNTEER,  A  PROVIDER
SHALL:
  (1)  INFORM  THE PROSPECTIVE EMPLOYEE OR VOLUNTEER IN WRITING THAT THE
PROVIDER IS REQUIRED TO REQUEST HIS OR HER CRIMINAL HISTORY  INFORMATION
AND REVIEW SUCH INFORMATION PURSUANT TO THIS SECTION; AND
  (2)  OBTAIN THE SIGNED INFORMED CONSENT OF THE PROSPECTIVE EMPLOYEE OR
VOLUNTEER ON A  FORM  SUPPLIED  BY  THE  DIVISION  OF  CRIMINAL  JUSTICE
SERVICES WHICH INDICATES THAT SUCH PERSON HAS:
  (I)  BEEN  INFORMED  OF  THE RIGHT AND PROCEDURES NECESSARY TO OBTAIN,
REVIEW AND SEEK CORRECTION OF HIS OR HER CRIMINAL HISTORY INFORMATION;
  (II) BEEN INFORMED OF THE REASON FOR THE REQUEST FOR HIS OR HER CRIMI-
NAL HISTORY INFORMATION;
  (III) CONSENTED TO SUCH REQUEST; AND
  (IV) SUPPLIED ON THE FORM A CURRENT MAILING OR HOME ADDRESS.
UPON RECEIVING SUCH WRITTEN CONSENT, THE PROVIDER SHALL OBTAIN TWO  SETS
OF  FINGERPRINTS  OF  SUCH PROSPECTIVE EMPLOYEE OR VOLUNTEER AND PROVIDE
SUCH FINGERPRINTS TO THE OFFICE PURSUANT TO REGULATIONS  ESTABLISHED  BY
THE DIVISION OF CRIMINAL JUSTICE SERVICES.
  (B)  A  PROVIDER  REQUESTING  CRIMINAL HISTORY INFORMATION PURSUANT TO
THIS SECTION SHALL ALSO COMPLETE A FORM DEVELOPED FOR  SUCH  PURPOSE  BY
THE  DIVISION  OF  CRIMINAL  JUSTICE SERVICES. SUCH FORM SHALL INCLUDE A
SWORN STATEMENT OF THE PERSON DESIGNATED BY SUCH  PROVIDER  TO  REQUEST,
RECEIVE  AND  REVIEW  CRIMINAL HISTORY INFORMATION PURSUANT TO PARAGRAPH
ONE OF SUBDIVISION (G) OF THIS SECTION CERTIFYING THAT:
  (1) SUCH CRIMINAL HISTORY INFORMATION WILL BE  USED  BY  THE  PROVIDER
SOLELY FOR PURPOSES AUTHORIZED BY THIS SECTION;
  (2)  THE  PROVIDER  AND  ITS  STAFF ARE AWARE OF AND WILL ABIDE BY THE
CONFIDENTIALITY REQUIREMENTS AND ALL OTHER PROVISIONS OF  THIS  SECTION;
AND
  (3) THE PERSONS DESIGNATED BY THE PROVIDER TO RECEIVE CRIMINAL HISTORY
INFORMATION PURSUANT TO PARAGRAPH ONE OF SUBDIVISION (G) OF THIS SECTION
SHALL  UPON  RECEIPT  IMMEDIATELY MARK SUCH CRIMINAL HISTORY INFORMATION
"CONFIDENTIAL," AND SHALL AT ALL TIMES MAINTAIN  SUCH  CRIMINAL  HISTORY
INFORMATION IN A SECURE PLACE.
  (C)  UPON  RECEIPT OF THE FINGERPRINTS AND SWORN STATEMENT REQUIRED BY
SUBDIVISIONS (A) AND (B) OF THIS  SECTION,  THE  OFFICE  SHALL  PROMPTLY
SUBMIT  THE  FINGERPRINTS  TO THE DIVISION OF CRIMINAL JUSTICE SERVICES.
THE DIVISION OF CRIMINAL JUSTICE SERVICES SHALL PROMPTLY FORWARD  A  SET
OF  THE  APPLICANT'S FINGERPRINTS TO THE FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION
FOR THE PURPOSE OF A NATIONWIDE CRIMINAL HISTORY RECORD CHECK TO  DETER-
MINE  WHETHER SUCH APPLICANT HAS BEEN CONVICTED OF A CRIMINAL OFFENSE IN
ANY STATE OTHER THAN NEW YORK OR IN A FEDERAL JURISDICTION.
  (D) THE DIVISION OF CRIMINAL JUSTICE SERVICES SHALL  PROMPTLY  PROVIDE
THE REQUESTED CRIMINAL HISTORY INFORMATION, IF ANY, TO THE OFFICE. CRIM-
INAL  HISTORY  INFORMATION  PROVIDED BY THE DIVISION OF CRIMINAL JUSTICE
SERVICES PURSUANT TO THIS SECTION SHALL BE FURNISHED  ONLY  BY  MAIL  OR
OTHER  METHOD  OF  SECURE  AND  CONFIDENTIAL  DELIVERY, ADDRESSED TO THE

S. 7749                            84                           A. 10721

OFFICE.  SUCH INFORMATION AND THE ENVELOPE IN WHICH IT IS  ENCLOSED,  IF
ANY,  SHALL BE PROMINENTLY MARKED "CONFIDENTIAL," AND SHALL AT ALL TIMES
BE MAINTAINED BY THE OFFICE IN A SECURE PLACE.
  (E)  AFTER  RECEIVING ANY CRIMINAL HISTORY INFORMATION PROVIDED BY THE
DIVISION OF CRIMINAL JUSTICE SERVICES CONCERNING A PROSPECTIVE  EMPLOYEE
OR  VOLUNTEER,  THE  OFFICE  SHALL  REVIEW  THE INFORMATION TO DETERMINE
WHETHER SUCH PROSPECTIVE EMPLOYEE OR VOLUNTEER HAS BEEN CONVICTED  OF  A
CRIMINAL OFFENSE IN ANY STATE OTHER THAN NEW YORK OR IN A FEDERAL JURIS-
DICTION.  IF  THE  RECORD  DOES NOT INCLUDE SUCH INFORMATION, THE OFFICE
SHALL FORWARD A SUMMARY OF THE NEW YORK CRIMINAL HISTORY INFORMATION  TO
THE  PROVIDER  WHO  SHALL  PROCEED  PURSUANT  TO SUBDIVISION (G) OF THIS
SECTION. FOR THE PURPOSES OF THIS  SECTION,  "SUMMARY  OF  THE  CRIMINAL
HISTORY  INFORMATION"  SHALL  MEAN  A COMPREHENSIVE SYNOPSIS OF CRIMINAL
HISTORY INFORMATION WHICH SHALL INCLUDE AN INDIVIDUALIZED STATEMENT  FOR
EACH  PENDING  CHARGE  AND  EACH  CRIMINAL CONVICTION WHICH HAS NOT BEEN
VACATED, REVERSED OR SEALED.
  (F) WHERE THE CRIMINAL HISTORY  INFORMATION  RECEIVED  BY  THE  OFFICE
INCLUDES  A  CRIMINAL  OFFENSE  IN ANY STATE OTHER THAN NEW YORK OR IN A
FEDERAL JURISDICTION, THE OFFICE SHALL CONSIDER WHETHER  TO  APPROVE  OR
DISAPPROVE THE PROSPECTIVE EMPLOYEE BASED ON THE CRIMINAL HISTORY INFOR-
MATION  IN  ACCORDANCE  WITH THE PROVISIONS OF ARTICLE TWENTY-THREE-A OF
THE CORRECTION LAW AND SUBDIVISIONS FIFTEEN AND SIXTEEN OF  SECTION  TWO
HUNDRED  NINETY-SIX  OF THE EXECUTIVE LAW AND NOTIFY THE PROVIDER OF ITS
DETERMINATION, PROVIDED, HOWEVER, THAT A REASONABLE TIME BEFORE MAKING A
DETERMINATION PURSUANT TO THIS SUBDIVISION, THE OFFICE SHALL PROVIDE THE
PROSPECTIVE EMPLOYEE OR VOLUNTEER WITH A COPY OF  THE  CRIMINAL  HISTORY
INFORMATION  AND A COPY OF ARTICLE TWENTY-THREE-A OF THE CORRECTION LAW,
AND INFORM SUCH PROSPECTIVE EMPLOYEE OR VOLUNTEER OF HIS OR HER RIGHT TO
SEEK CORRECTION OF ANY INCORRECT INFORMATION CONTAINED IN SUCH  CRIMINAL
HISTORY  INFORMATION  PURSUANT  TO THE REGULATIONS AND PROCEDURES ESTAB-
LISHED BY THE DIVISION OF CRIMINAL JUSTICE SERVICES.
  (G) WHERE THE PROVIDER RECEIVES A  SUMMARY  OF  THE  CRIMINAL  HISTORY
INFORMATION FROM THE OFFICE PURSUANT TO SUBDIVISION (E) OF THIS SECTION,
THE  PROVIDER  SHALL  CONSIDER  THE  INFORMATION  IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE
PROVISIONS OF ARTICLE TWENTY-THREE-A OF THE CORRECTION LAW AND  SUBDIVI-
SIONS FIFTEEN AND SIXTEEN OF SECTION TWO HUNDRED NINETY-SIX OF THE EXEC-
UTIVE LAW.
  (1)  A  PROVIDER  SHALL DESIGNATE ONE OR TWO PERSONS IN ITS EMPLOY WHO
SHALL BE AUTHORIZED TO REQUEST, RECEIVE AND REVIEW THE  SUMMARY  OF  THE
CRIMINAL  HISTORY INFORMATION, AND ONLY SUCH PERSONS AND THE PROSPECTIVE
EMPLOYEE OR VOLUNTEER TO WHICH THE CRIMINAL HISTORY INFORMATION  RELATES
SHALL  HAVE  ACCESS  TO  SUCH  INFORMATION;  PROVIDED, HOWEVER, THAT THE
SUMMARY OF THE CRIMINAL HISTORY INFORMATION MAY BE  DISCLOSED  TO  OTHER
PERSONNEL AUTHORIZED BY THE PROVIDER WHO ARE EMPOWERED TO MAKE DECISIONS
CONCERNING PROSPECTIVE EMPLOYEES OR VOLUNTEERS AND PROVIDED FURTHER THAT
SUCH  OTHER  PERSONNEL  SHALL  ALSO  BE  SUBJECT  TO THE CONFIDENTIALITY
REQUIREMENTS AND ALL OTHER PROVISIONS OF THIS SECTION.  A PROVIDER SHALL
NOTIFY THE OFFICE OF EACH PERSON AUTHORIZED TO HAVE ACCESS  TO  CRIMINAL
HISTORY INFORMATION PURSUANT TO THIS SECTION.
  (2) UPON RECEIPT OF THE SUMMARY OF CRIMINAL HISTORY INFORMATION PURSU-
ANT  TO  THIS SECTION, A PROVIDER SHALL PROVIDE THE PROSPECTIVE EMPLOYEE
OR VOLUNTEER WITH A COPY OF SUCH SUMMARY OF THE CRIMINAL HISTORY  INFOR-
MATION  AND  A COPY OF ARTICLE TWENTY-THREE-A OF THE CORRECTION LAW, AND
INFORM SUCH PROSPECTIVE EMPLOYEE OR VOLUNTEER OF HIS  OR  HER  RIGHT  TO
SEEK  CORRECTION OF ANY INCORRECT INFORMATION CONTAINED IN SUCH CRIMINAL

S. 7749                            85                           A. 10721

HISTORY INFORMATION PURSUANT TO THE REGULATIONS  AND  PROCEDURES  ESTAB-
LISHED BY THE DIVISION OF CRIMINAL JUSTICE SERVICES.
  (H) A PROSPECTIVE EMPLOYEE OR VOLUNTEER MAY WITHDRAW FROM THE APPLICA-
TION PROCESS, WITHOUT PREJUDICE, AT ANY TIME REGARDLESS OF WHETHER HE OR
SHE, THE OFFICE OR THE PROVIDER HAS REVIEWED HIS OR HER CRIMINAL HISTORY
INFORMATION.  WHERE  A  PROSPECTIVE EMPLOYEE OR VOLUNTEER WITHDRAWS FROM
THE APPLICATION PROCESS, ANY FINGERPRINTS AND CRIMINAL HISTORY  INFORMA-
TION  CONCERNING  SUCH PROSPECTIVE EMPLOYEE OR VOLUNTEER RECEIVED BY THE
OFFICE OR THE PROVIDER SHALL, WITHIN NINETY DAYS, BE  RETURNED  TO  SUCH
PROSPECTIVE EMPLOYEE OR VOLUNTEER.
  (I)  THE  COMMISSIONER  OF  THE  DIVISION OF CRIMINAL JUSTICE SERVICES
SHALL PROMULGATE ALL RULES AND REGULATIONS NECESSARY  TO  IMPLEMENT  THE
PROVISIONS  OF  THIS  SECTION, WHICH SHALL INCLUDE CONVENIENT PROCEDURES
FOR PROSPECTIVE EMPLOYEES AND VOLUNTEERS TO PROMPTLY VERIFY THE ACCURACY
OF THEIR CRIMINAL HISTORY INFORMATION AND, TO THE EXTENT  AUTHORIZED  BY
LAW, TO HAVE ACCESS TO RELEVANT DOCUMENTS RELATED THERETO.
  (J)  ANY  PERSON WHO WILLFULLY PERMITS THE RELEASE OF ANY CONFIDENTIAL
CRIMINAL HISTORY INFORMATION CONTAINED IN  THE  REPORT  TO  PERSONS  NOT
PERMITTED BY THIS SECTION TO RECEIVE SUCH INFORMATION SHALL BE GUILTY OF
A MISDEMEANOR.
  S 3. The mental hygiene law is amended by adding a new section 19.20-a
to read as follows:
S  19.20-A REVIEW OF CRIMINAL HISTORY INFORMATION CONCERNING PROSPECTIVE
             PROVIDERS, OPERATORS AND INDIVIDUALS SEEKING TO BE  CREDEN-
             TIALED BY THE OFFICE.
  THE  OFFICE SHALL BE AUTHORIZED TO RECEIVE FROM THE DIVISION OF CRIMI-
NAL JUSTICE SERVICES CRIMINAL HISTORY INFORMATION,  AS  SUCH  PHRASE  IS
DEFINED  IN  PARAGRAPH  (C)  OF SUBDIVISION ONE OF SECTION EIGHT HUNDRED
FORTY-FIVE-B OF THE EXECUTIVE LAW, CONCERNING EACH  APPLICANT  TO  BE  A
PROVIDER  OF SERVICES OR OPERATOR OF SUCH PROVIDER EXCEPT: (1) A DEPART-
MENT FACILITY; (2) A HOSPITAL AS DEFINED IN ARTICLE TWENTY-EIGHT OF  THE
PUBLIC  HEALTH  LAW; OR (3) A LICENSED PROFESSIONAL UNDER TITLE EIGHT OF
THE EDUCATION LAW WHO DOES NOT HAVE EMPLOYEES  OR  VOLUNTEERS  WHO  WILL
HAVE  REGULAR  AND  SUBSTANTIAL  UNSUPERVISED  OR  UNRESTRICTED PHYSICAL
CONTACT WITH THE CLIENTS OF SUCH  PROVIDER,  AND  FOR  EVERY  INDIVIDUAL
SEEKING TO BE CREDENTIALED BY THE OFFICE TO PROVIDE SUBSTANCE USE DISOR-
DER  SERVICES PURSUANT TO SECTION 19.07 OF THIS ARTICLE. FOR PURPOSES OF
THIS SECTION, "OPERATOR" SHALL INCLUDE ANY NATURAL PERSON WITH AN OWNER-
SHIP INTEREST IN THE PROVIDER OF SERVICES.
  (A) PRIOR TO REQUESTING CRIMINAL HISTORY  INFORMATION  CONCERNING  ANY
PROSPECTIVE PROVIDER, OPERATOR OR INDIVIDUAL SEEKING TO BE CREDENTIALED,
THE OFFICE SHALL:
  (1) INFORM THE PROSPECTIVE PROVIDER, OPERATOR OR INDIVIDUAL SEEKING TO
BE CREDENTIALED IN WRITING THAT THE OFFICE IS REQUIRED TO REQUEST HIS OR
HER  CRIMINAL  HISTORY INFORMATION FROM THE DIVISION OF CRIMINAL JUSTICE
SERVICES AND REVIEW SUCH INFORMATION PURSUANT TO THIS SECTION; AND
  (2) OBTAIN THE SIGNED INFORMED CONSENT OF  THE  PROSPECTIVE  PROVIDER,
OPERATOR  OR INDIVIDUAL SEEKING TO BE CREDENTIALED ON A FORM SUPPLIED BY
THE DIVISION OF CRIMINAL JUSTICE  SERVICES  WHICH  INDICATES  THAT  SUCH
PERSON HAS:
  (I)  BEEN  INFORMED  OF  THE RIGHT AND PROCEDURES NECESSARY TO OBTAIN,
REVIEW AND SEEK CORRECTION OF HIS OR HER CRIMINAL HISTORY INFORMATION;
  (II) BEEN INFORMED OF THE REASON FOR THE REQUEST FOR HIS OR HER CRIMI-
NAL HISTORY INFORMATION;
  (III) CONSENTED TO SUCH REQUEST; AND
  (IV) SUPPLIED ON THE FORM A CURRENT MAILING OR HOME ADDRESS.

S. 7749                            86                           A. 10721

UPON RECEIVING SUCH WRITTEN CONSENT, THE OFFICE MAY OBTAIN TWO  SETS  OF
FINGERPRINTS  OF SUCH PROSPECTIVE PROVIDER, OPERATOR OR INDIVIDUAL SEEK-
ING TO BE CREDENTIALED PURSUANT TO REGULATIONS ESTABLISHED BY THE  DIVI-
SION OF CRIMINAL JUSTICE SERVICES.
  (B)  THE  OFFICE  SHALL DESIGNATE ONE OR TWO PERSONS IN ITS EMPLOY WHO
SHALL BE AUTHORIZED TO REQUEST,  RECEIVE  AND  REVIEW  CRIMINAL  HISTORY
INFORMATION,  AND ONLY SUCH PERSONS AND THE PROSPECTIVE PROVIDER, OPERA-
TOR OR INDIVIDUAL SEEKING TO  BE  CREDENTIALED  TO  WHICH  THE  CRIMINAL
HISTORY  INFORMATION  RELATES  SHALL  HAVE  ACCESS  TO SUCH INFORMATION;
PROVIDED, HOWEVER, THAT CRIMINAL HISTORY INFORMATION MAY BE DISCLOSED TO
OTHER PERSONNEL AUTHORIZED BY THE OFFICE WHO ARE EMPOWERED TO MAKE DECI-
SIONS CONCERNING PROSPECTIVE PROVIDERS, OPERATORS OR INDIVIDUALS SEEKING
TO BE CREDENTIALED AND PROVIDED FURTHER THAT SUCH OTHER PERSONNEL  SHALL
ALSO  BE  SUBJECT  TO  THE  CONFIDENTIALITY  REQUIREMENTS  AND ALL OTHER
PROVISIONS OF THIS SECTION. THE OFFICE  SHALL  NOTIFY  THE  DIVISION  OF
CRIMINAL  JUSTICE  SERVICES  OF EACH PERSON AUTHORIZED TO HAVE ACCESS TO
CRIMINAL HISTORY INFORMATION PURSUANT TO THIS SECTION.
  (C) THE OFFICE SHALL REQUEST CRIMINAL HISTORY INFORMATION PURSUANT  TO
THIS  SECTION  BY  COMPLETING  A  FORM DEVELOPED FOR SUCH PURPOSE BY THE
DIVISION OF CRIMINAL JUSTICE SERVICES. SUCH FORM SHALL INCLUDE  A  SWORN
STATEMENT  OF  THE  PERSONS DESIGNATED BY THE OFFICE TO REQUEST, RECEIVE
AND REVIEW CRIMINAL HISTORY INFORMATION PURSUANT TO SUBDIVISION  (B)  OF
THIS SECTION CERTIFYING THAT:
  (1) SUCH CRIMINAL HISTORY INFORMATION WILL BE USED BY THE OFFICE SOLE-
LY FOR PURPOSES AUTHORIZED BY THIS SECTION;
  (2) THE OFFICE AND ITS STAFF ARE AWARE OF AND WILL ABIDE BY THE CONFI-
DENTIALITY REQUIREMENTS AND ALL OTHER PROVISIONS OF THIS SECTION; AND
  (3)  THE  PERSON  DESIGNATED BY THE OFFICE TO RECEIVE CRIMINAL HISTORY
INFORMATION PURSUANT TO SUBDIVISION  (B)  OF  THIS  SECTION  SHALL  UPON
RECEIPT  IMMEDIATELY  MARK  SUCH CRIMINAL HISTORY INFORMATION "CONFIDEN-
TIAL," AND SHALL AT ALL TIMES MAINTAIN SUCH CRIMINAL HISTORY INFORMATION
IN A SECURE PLACE.
  (D) UPON RECEIPT OF THE FINGERPRINTS AND SWORN STATEMENT  REQUIRED  BY
SUBDIVISIONS  (A)  AND  (C)  OF  THIS  SECTION, THE DIVISION OF CRIMINAL
JUSTICE SERVICES SHALL PROMPTLY FORWARD A SET OF THE INDIVIDUAL'S  FING-
ERPRINTS  TO  THE  FEDERAL  BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION FOR THE PURPOSE OF A
NATIONWIDE CRIMINAL HISTORY RECORD CHECK TO DETERMINE WHETHER SUCH INDI-
VIDUAL HAS BEEN CONVICTED OF A CRIMINAL OFFENSE IN ANY STATE OTHER  THAN
NEW YORK OR IN A FEDERAL JURISDICTION.
  (E)  THE  DIVISION OF CRIMINAL JUSTICE SERVICES SHALL PROMPTLY PROVIDE
THE REQUESTED CRIMINAL  HISTORY  INFORMATION  TO  THE  OFFICE.  CRIMINAL
HISTORY  INFORMATION  PROVIDED  BY  THE  DIVISION  OF  CRIMINAL  JUSTICE
SERVICES PURSUANT TO THIS SECTION SHALL BE FURNISHED  ONLY  BY  MAIL  OR
OTHER  METHOD  OF  SECURE  AND  CONFIDENTIAL  DELIVERY, ADDRESSED TO THE
OFFICE. SUCH INFORMATION AND THE ENVELOPE IN WHICH IT  IS  ENCLOSED,  IF
ANY,  SHALL BE PROMINENTLY MARKED "CONFIDENTIAL," AND SHALL AT ALL TIMES
BE MAINTAINED BY THE OFFICE IN A SECURE PLACE.
  (F) UPON RECEIPT OF CRIMINAL  HISTORY  INFORMATION  PURSUANT  TO  THIS
SECTION  AND BEFORE MAKING A DETERMINATION, THE OFFICE SHALL PROVIDE THE
PROSPECTIVE PROVIDER, OPERATOR OR INDIVIDUAL SEEKING TO BE  CREDENTIALED
WITH  A  COPY OF SUCH CRIMINAL HISTORY INFORMATION AND A COPY OF ARTICLE
TWENTY-THREE-A OF THE CORRECTION LAW AND INFORM SUCH PROSPECTIVE PROVID-
ER, OPERATOR OR INDIVIDUAL SEEKING TO BE  CREDENTIALED  OF  HIS  OR  HER
RIGHT  TO SEEK CORRECTION OF ANY INCORRECT INFORMATION CONTAINED IN SUCH
CRIMINAL HISTORY INFORMATION PURSUANT TO THE REGULATIONS AND  PROCEDURES
ESTABLISHED BY THE DIVISION OF CRIMINAL JUSTICE SERVICES.

S. 7749                            87                           A. 10721

  (G)  CRIMINAL  HISTORY  INFORMATION  OBTAINED PURSUANT TO THIS SECTION
SHALL BE CONSIDERED BY THE OFFICE IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE  PROVISIONS  OF
ARTICLE  TWENTY-THREE-A  OF  THE CORRECTION LAW AND SUBDIVISIONS FIFTEEN
AND SIXTEEN OF SECTION TWO HUNDRED NINETY-SIX OF THE EXECUTIVE LAW.
  (H)  A  PROSPECTIVE  PROVIDER,  OPERATOR  OR  INDIVIDUAL SEEKING TO BE
CREDENTIALED MAY WITHDRAW FROM THE APPLICATION PROCESS,  WITHOUT  PREJU-
DICE,  AT  ANY TIME REGARDLESS OF WHETHER OR NOT HE OR SHE OR THE OFFICE
HAS REVIEWED HIS OR HER CRIMINAL HISTORY INFORMATION. WHERE  A  PROSPEC-
TIVE  PROVIDER,  OPERATOR OR INDIVIDUAL SEEKING TO BE CREDENTIALED WITH-
DRAWS FROM THE APPLICATION PROCESS, ANY FINGERPRINTS AND CRIMINAL HISTO-
RY  INFORMATION  CONCERNING  SUCH  PROSPECTIVE  PROVIDER,  OPERATOR   OR
INDIVIDUAL  SEEKING  TO  BE  CREDENTIALED  RECEIVED BY THE OFFICE SHALL,
WITHIN NINETY DAYS, BE RETURNED TO SUCH PROSPECTIVE  PROVIDER,  OPERATOR
OR  INDIVIDUAL  SEEKING  TO BE CREDENTIALED BY THE PERSON DESIGNATED FOR
RECEIPT OF CRIMINAL HISTORY INFORMATION PURSUANT TO SUBDIVISION  (B)  OF
THIS SECTION.
  (I)  THE  COMMISSIONER  OF  THE  DIVISION OF CRIMINAL JUSTICE SERVICES
SHALL PROMULGATE ALL RULES AND REGULATIONS NECESSARY  TO  IMPLEMENT  THE
PROVISIONS  OF  THIS  SECTION, WHICH SHALL INCLUDE CONVENIENT PROCEDURES
FOR PROSPECTIVE  PROVIDERS,  OPERATORS  OR  INDIVIDUALS  SEEKING  TO  BE
CREDENTIALED  TO  PROMPTLY VERIFY THE ACCURACY OF THEIR CRIMINAL HISTORY
INFORMATION AND, TO THE EXTENT AUTHORIZED BY  LAW,  TO  HAVE  ACCESS  TO
RELEVANT DOCUMENTS RELATED THERETO.
  (J)  ANY  PERSON WHO WILLFULLY PERMITS THE RELEASE OF ANY CONFIDENTIAL
CRIMINAL HISTORY INFORMATION CONTAINED IN  THE  REPORT  TO  PERSONS  NOT
PERMITTED BY THIS SECTION TO RECEIVE SUCH INFORMATION SHALL BE GUILTY OF
A MISDEMEANOR.
  S  4.  Subdivision  1  of section 378-a of the social services law, as
amended by chapter 7 of the laws of 1999, is amended to read as follows:
  1. [Subject to rules and  regulations  of  the  division  of  criminal
justice  services, an] EVERY authorized agency WHICH OPERATES A RESIDEN-
TIAL PROGRAM FOR CHILDREN AND THE OFFICE OF CHILDREN AND FAMILY SERVICES
shall [have  access  to  conviction  records  maintained  by  state  law
enforcement  agencies pertaining to persons who have applied for and are
under active consideration for employment by such authorized  agency  in
positions  where  such  persons will be engaged directly in the care and
supervision of  children]  REQUEST  THAT  THE  JUSTICE  CENTER  FOR  THE
PROTECTION  OF  PEOPLE  WITH SPECIAL NEEDS CHECK, AND UPON SUCH REQUEST,
SUCH JUSTICE CENTER SHALL REQUEST AND SHALL  BE  AUTHORIZED  TO  RECEIVE
FROM THE DIVISION OF CRIMINAL JUSTICE SERVICES CRIMINAL HISTORY INFORMA-
TION,  AS  SUCH PHRASE IS DEFINED IN PARAGRAPH (C) OF SUBDIVISION ONE OF
SECTION EIGHT HUNDRED FORTY-FIVE-B OF THE EXECUTIVE LAW CONCERNING  EACH
PROSPECTIVE  OPERATOR, EMPLOYEE OR VOLUNTEER OF SUCH RESIDENTIAL PROGRAM
WHO WILL HAVE REGULAR AND SUBSTANTIAL UNSUPERVISED OR UNRESTRICTED PHYS-
ICAL CONTACT WITH CHILDREN IN SUCH PROGRAM. FOR  THE  PURPOSES  OF  THIS
SECTION,  "OPERATOR"  SHALL INCLUDE ANY NATURAL PERSON WITH AN OWNERSHIP
INTEREST IN THE AUTHORIZED AGENCY. ACCESS TO AND THE USE OF SUCH  INFOR-
MATION  SHALL  BE  GOVERNED  BY  THE PROVISIONS OF SECTION EIGHT HUNDRED
FORTY-FIVE-B OF THE EXECUTIVE LAW.
  S 5. Subdivision 2 and paragraph (a) of subdivision 5 of section 845-b
of the executive law, subdivision 2 as amended by  chapter  769  of  the
laws  of  2005  and paragraph (a) of subdivision 5 as amended by chapter
331 of the laws of 2006, are amended to read as follows:
  2. Where a provider is authorized or required to request  a  check  of
criminal history information by an authorized agency pursuant to section
16.33 or 31.35 of the mental hygiene law [or], article twenty-eight-E of

S. 7749                            88                           A. 10721

the public health law OR SUBDIVISION ONE OF SECTION THREE HUNDRED SEVEN-
TY-EIGHT-A  OF  THE  SOCIAL  SERVICES  LAW,  such provider shall proceed
pursuant to the provisions of this section and in  a  manner  consistent
with  the  provisions  of  article twenty-three-A of the correction law,
subdivisions fifteen and sixteen of section two  hundred  ninety-six  of
this chapter and all other applicable laws.
  (a)  Where the criminal history information concerning a subject indi-
vidual reveals a felony conviction at any time  for  a  sex  offense,  a
felony  conviction  within  the  past ten years involving violence, or a
conviction [for endangering the welfare of an incompetent or  physically
disabled person] pursuant to section 260.00, 260.25, 260.32 OR 260.34 of
the  penal law, and in the case of criminal history information obtained
pursuant to section twenty-eight hundred  ninety-nine-a  of  the  public
health  law, where the criminal history information concerning a subject
individual reveals a conviction at any time of any  class  A  felony;  a
conviction  within  the  past  ten years of any class B or C felony, any
class D or E felony defined in article one hundred twenty,  one  hundred
thirty,  one hundred fifty-five, one hundred sixty, one hundred seventy-
eight or two hundred twenty of the penal law; or any  crime  defined  in
[sections]  SECTION 260.32 or 260.34 of the penal law; or any comparable
offense in any other jurisdiction, the authorized agency shall  deny  or
disapprove  the application for or renewal of the operating certificate,
contract, approval,  employment  of  the  subject  individual  or  other
authorization  to  provide  services,  or  direct  the  provider to deny
employment, as applicable, unless the authorized agency  determines,  in
its  discretion,  that approval of the application or renewal or employ-
ment will not in any way jeopardize the health, safety or welfare of the
beneficiaries of such services.
  S 6. This act shall take effect on June 30, 2013;  provided,  however,
that  effective  immediately,  the  addition, amendment or repeal of any
rule or regulation necessary for the implementation of this act  on  its
effective date are authorized to be made and completed on or before such
date.

                                 PART G

  Section  1.  The opening paragraph and subdivision 4 of section 240.50
of the penal law, the opening paragraph as amended by chapter 276 of the
laws of 1973 and subdivision 4 as amended by chapter 400 of the laws  of
2008, are amended to read as follows:
  A  person  is  guilty  of  falsely  reporting an incident in the third
degree when, knowing the information reported, conveyed or circulated to
be false or baseless, he OR SHE:
  4. Reports, by word or action, an alleged occurrence or  condition  of
child  abuse  or maltreatment OR ABUSE OR NEGLECT OF A VULNERABLE PERSON
which did not in fact occur or exist to:
  (a) the statewide central register of child abuse and maltreatment, as
defined in title six of article six of the social services  law  OR  THE
VULNERABLE  PERSONS'  CENTRAL  REGISTER  AS DEFINED IN ARTICLE ELEVEN OF
SUCH LAW, or
  (b) any person required to report cases of suspected  child  abuse  or
maltreatment  pursuant  to subdivision one of section four hundred thir-
teen of the social services law OR TO REPORT CASES OF SUSPECTED ABUSE OR
NEGLECT OF A VULNERABLE PERSON PURSUANT TO SECTION FOUR HUNDRED  NINETY-
ONE  OF  SUCH  LAW,  knowing  that the person is required to report such
cases, and with the intent that such an alleged occurrence  be  reported

S. 7749                            89                           A. 10721

to  the statewide central register OR VULNERABLE PERSONS' CENTRAL REGIS-
TER.
  S  2.  Paragraph  (h)  of subdivision 3 of section 130.05 of the penal
law, as amended by chapter 264 of the laws of 2003, is amended and a new
paragraph (i) is added to read as follows:
  (h) a client or patient and the actor is a  health  care  provider  or
mental  health  care  provider  charged with rape in the third degree as
defined in section 130.25, criminal sexual act in the  third  degree  as
defined  in section 130.40, aggravated sexual abuse in the fourth degree
as defined in section 130.65-a, or sexual abuse in the third  degree  as
defined in section 130.55, and the act of sexual conduct occurs during a
treatment session, consultation, interview, or examination[.]; OR
  (I)  A  RESIDENT  OR  INPATIENT  OF  A  RESIDENTIAL FACILITY OPERATED,
LICENSED OR CERTIFIED BY (I) THE  OFFICE  OF  MENTAL  HEALTH;  (II)  THE
OFFICE  FOR  PEOPLE WITH DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES; OR (III) THE OFFICE
OF ALCOHOLISM AND SUBSTANCE ABUSE SERVICES, AND THE ACTOR IS AN EMPLOYEE
OF THE FACILITY NOT MARRIED TO SUCH RESIDENT OR INPATIENT. FOR  PURPOSES
OF  THIS  PARAGRAPH,  "EMPLOYEE" MEANS EITHER: AN EMPLOYEE OF THE AGENCY
OPERATING THE RESIDENTIAL FACILITY, WHO KNOWS OR REASONABLY SHOULD  KNOW
THAT  SUCH  PERSON  IS  A RESIDENT OR INPATIENT OF SUCH FACILITY AND WHO
PROVIDES DIRECT CARE SERVICES,  CASE  MANAGEMENT  SERVICES,  MEDICAL  OR
OTHER  CLINICAL SERVICES, HABILITATIVE SERVICES OR DIRECT SUPERVISION OF
THE RESIDENTS IN THE FACILITY IN WHICH THE RESIDENT RESIDES; OR AN OFFI-
CER OR OTHER EMPLOYEE, CONSULTANT, CONTRACTOR OR VOLUNTEER OF THE  RESI-
DENTIAL FACILITY, WHO KNOWS OR REASONABLY SHOULD KNOW THAT THE PERSON IS
A  RESIDENT OF SUCH FACILITY AND WHO IS IN DIRECT CONTACT WITH RESIDENTS
OR INPATIENTS; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, THAT THE PROVISIONS OF THIS  PARAGRAPH
SHALL  ONLY  APPLY  TO  A  CONSULTANT, CONTRACTOR OR VOLUNTEER PROVIDING
SERVICES PURSUANT TO A CONTRACTUAL ARRANGEMENT WITH THE AGENCY OPERATING
THE RESIDENTIAL FACILITY OR, IN THE  CASE  OF  A  VOLUNTEER,  A  WRITTEN
AGREEMENT  WITH SUCH FACILITY, PROVIDED THAT THE PERSON RECEIVED WRITTEN
NOTICE CONCERNING THE PROVISIONS OF THIS  PARAGRAPH;  PROVIDED  FURTHER,
HOWEVER,  "EMPLOYEE"  SHALL  NOT  INCLUDE  A PERSON WITH A DEVELOPMENTAL
DISABILITY WHO IS OR WAS RECEIVING SERVICES AND IS ALSO AN EMPLOYEE OF A
SERVICE PROVIDER AND WHO HAS SEXUAL CONTACT WITH ANOTHER SERVICE RECIPI-
ENT WHO IS A CONSENTING ADULT WHO HAS CONSENTED TO SUCH CONTACT.
  S 3. The penal law is amended by adding a new section 260.24  to  read
as follows:
S 260.24 ENDANGERING  THE  WELFARE OF AN INCOMPETENT OR PHYSICALLY DISA-
           BLED PERSON IN THE SECOND DEGREE.
  A PERSON IS GUILTY OF ENDANGERING THE WELFARE  OF  AN  INCOMPETENT  OR
PHYSICALLY DISABLED PERSON IN THE SECOND DEGREE WHEN HE OR SHE RECKLESS-
LY  ENGAGES  IN CONDUCT WHICH IS LIKELY TO BE INJURIOUS TO THE PHYSICAL,
MENTAL OR MORAL WELFARE OF A PERSON WHO IS UNABLE TO CARE FOR HIMSELF OR
HERSELF BECAUSE OF PHYSICAL DISABILITY, MENTAL DISEASE OR DEFECT.
  ENDANGERING THE WELFARE  OF  AN  INCOMPETENT  OR  PHYSICALLY  DISABLED
PERSON IN THE SECOND DEGREE IS A CLASS A MISDEMEANOR.
  S 4. Section 260.25 of the penal law, as amended by chapter 381 of the
laws of 1998, is amended to read as follows:
S  260.25  Endangering the welfare of an incompetent or physically disa-
             bled person IN THE FIRST DEGREE.
  A person is guilty of endangering the welfare  of  an  incompetent  or
physically disabled person IN THE FIRST DEGREE when he knowingly acts in
a manner likely to be injurious to the physical, mental or moral welfare
of  a  person  who  is  unable to care for himself or herself because of
physical disability, mental disease or defect.

S. 7749                            90                           A. 10721

  Endangering the welfare  of  an  incompetent  or  physically  disabled
person IN THE FIRST DEGREE is a class [A misdemeanor] E FELONY.
  S  5.  This  act shall take effect on the thirtieth day after it shall
have become a law.

                                 PART H

  Section 1. Section 1, 2, 3 and 4 of chapter 606 of the laws  of  2011,
amending the mental hygiene law relating to creating an abuse prevention
notification system, is amended to read as follows:
  Section  1.  The mental hygiene law is amended by adding a new section
16.34 to read as follows:
S 16.34 Certain information regarding persons working with  people  with
          developmental disabilities.
  (a)  [If  the office receives a request] UPON A REQUEST TO THE JUSTICE
CENTER for criminal history information for a  prospective  employee  or
volunteer  pursuant  to section eight hundred forty-five-b of the execu-
tive law, THE JUSTICE CENTER SHALL NOTIFY THE OFFICE, and IF the  office
has [on file] AVAILABLE, AFTER A REASONABLY DILIGENT SEARCH a substanti-
ated report that the prospective employee or volunteer engaged in behav-
ior  that  constituted abuse or serious neglect of a patient or consumer
in a program licensed, operated, or certified by the office, the  office
shall  [furnish]  CAUSE  TO  BE  FURNISHED  a  summary of such report or
reports [together with any written response from the employee or  volun-
teer  referred  to  in subdivision (c) of this section,] to the provider
that requested the criminal history information FROM THE JUSTICE  CENTER
with  respect  to  such  prospective  employee or volunteer[. The office
shall provide such] ; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, SUMMARY REPORTS PROVIDED  SHALL
BE  LIMITED  TO  SUBSTANTIATED  REPORTS  BASED  ON  INVESTIGATIONS  THAT
COMMENCED PRIOR TO THE EFFECTIVE DATE  OF  THIS  SECTION.  SUCH  summary
report  [and  response,  if  any,]  SHALL  BE PROVIDED to the authorized
person as defined in paragraph (b) of subdivision one of  section  eight
hundred  forty-five-b  of  the  executive  law and at that same time THE
OFFICE SHALL furnish such  documents  to  the  prospective  employee  or
volunteer at the address for such person listed on the request.
  (b)  The  summary  report  provided  by  the  office  to a provider of
services pursuant to subdivision (a) of this section shall  be  received
by the provider subject to the confidentiality provisions of subdivision
seven of section eight hundred forty-five-b of the executive law.
  (c)  [When  the office receives a substantiated report indicating that
an employee or volunteer engaged in behavior that constitutes  abuse  or
serious  neglect,  the  office  shall provide such employee or volunteer
with written notification that he or  she  may  obtain  and  review  the
summary report and submit a written statement in response to the summary
report pursuant to regulations and procedures established by the office.
If the office receives such written statement, the office shall transmit
such  written statement to any provider together with the summary report
provided pursuant to this section.
  (d) The office shall establish an appeals process by which an employee
or volunteer may challenge the determination that a report is substanti-
ated, with a de novo standard of review. The appeals process  shall  not
address  or reverse any termination of employment that may have occurred
due to the report, but shall address whether future potential  employers
receive a substantiated report when requesting criminal history informa-
tion.

S. 7749                            91                           A. 10721

  (e) The office shall establish a process for expunging a substantiated
report  from  a  person's  record.  A person may apply for expunging the
substantiated report from his or her record after a period of five years
from the filing of the report.   The person shall  affirmatively  demon-
strate  to  the  commissioner clear and convincing evidence of rehabili-
tation.
  (f)] For the purposes of this section the following terms  shall  have
the following meanings:
  1.  "abuse"  shall mean physical abuse, sexual abuse, or psychological
abuse; and
  2. "serious neglect" shall mean [the] intentional  acts  or  omissions
that endanger the life or health of a person receiving services.
  3.  "substantiated  report"  shall mean that, after investigation, the
commission on quality care and advocacy for persons with disabilities or
the office has determined, in writing,  that  a  report  filed  by  such
commission,  by  the  office,  or by a provider certified by the office,
meets the criteria of abuse or  serious  neglect,  as  defined  in  this
section,  of  a  patient or consumer in a program licensed, operated, or
certified by the office and that the  report  and  credible  information
submitted  support  the relevant allegations in the report OR SHALL MEAN
THAT THE PROSPECTIVE EMPLOYEE OR VOLUNTEER WAS EITHER FOUND GUILTY IN  A
DISCIPLINARY  PROCEEDING,  OR  THERE WAS A SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT IN WHICH
THE PROSPECTIVE EMPLOYEE OR VOLUNTEER ADMITTED GUILT.
  [(g)] (D) Nothing in this section shall be interpreted  to  limit  the
office's  ability to investigate abuse, neglect or maltreatment, whether
intentional or unintentional, under current law or regulations.
  S 2. Section 16.19 of the mental hygiene law is amended  by  adding  a
new subdivision (e) to read as follows:
  (e)  The commissioner shall promulgate rules and regulations requiring
that when the office or a provider licensed, certified  or  operated  by
the   office   conducts  an  investigation  regarding  potential  abuse,
maltreatment or neglect of a person  receiving  services,  any  affected
employee or volunteer shall be provided a copy of regulations and proce-
dures governing such investigations and, in writing, notify the employee
or  volunteer  subject  of the investigation of the right and procedures
for obtaining and responding to any report filed by  the  provider  with
the office in accordance with this section.
  S  3.  Paragraph  1  of subdivision (c) of section 45.07 of the mental
hygiene law, as amended by chapter 192 of the laws of 2010,  is  amended
to read as follows:
  1.   Establish   procedures   to  assure  effective  investigation  of
complaints of patients and their parents or legal guardians and  employ-
ees of mental hygiene facilities affecting such patients including alle-
gations of patient abuse or mistreatment, including all reports of abuse
or neglect of children in residential care as defined in paragraphs (g),
(h)  and (i) of subdivision four of section four hundred twelve-a of the
social services law, except such facilities or  programs  enumerated  in
paragraph  (j) of subdivision four of such section, and made pursuant to
title six of article six of such law. Such procedures shall include  but
not  be limited to receipt of written complaints, interviews of persons,
patients and employees and on-site monitoring of  conditions.  In  addi-
tion,  the  commission  shall  establish  procedures  for the speedy and
impartial review of patient abuse and mistreatment allegations called to
its attention. No complaint, report or allegation shall be  declined  by
the  commission  solely  because  the complaint, report or allegation is
made anonymously. [When conducting an  investigation  pursuant  to  this

S. 7749                            92                           A. 10721

section, the commission shall provide any affected employee or volunteer
with a copy of this section and the regulations and procedures governing
such investigations and, in writing, notify the employee or volunteer of
the  investigation  and  of  the  right and procedures for obtaining and
responding to any report filed by the  commission  with  the  applicable
office in accordance with this section.]
  S 4. This act shall take effect [on the first of January next succeed-
ing  the  date  on  which  it  shall  have  become a law] JUNE 30, 2013;
provided, however, that effective immediately the commissioner of devel-
opmental disabilities and the commissioner of mental health  may  adopt,
amend,  suspend  or  repeal  rules or regulations and take other actions
prior to and in preparation for the timely implementation of this act on
its effective date.
  S 2. Chapter 6 of the laws of 2012, amending chapter 606 of  the  laws
of  2011,  amending the mental hygiene law relating to creating an abuse
prevention notification system, is REPEALED.
  S 3. This act shall take effect immediately.
  S 3. Severability clause. If any clause, sentence, paragraph, subdivi-
sion, section or part of this act shall be  adjudged  by  any  court  of
competent  jurisdiction  to  be invalid, such judgment shall not affect,
impair, or invalidate the remainder thereof, but shall  be  confined  in
its  operation  to the clause, sentence, paragraph, subdivision, section
or part thereof directly involved in the controversy in which such judg-
ment shall have been rendered. It is hereby declared to be the intent of
the legislature that this act would  have  been  enacted  even  if  such
invalid provisions had not been included herein.
  S  4.  This  act shall take effect immediately provided, however, that
the applicable effective date of Parts A through H of this act shall  be
as specifically set forth in the last section of such Parts.