S T A T E   O F   N E W   Y O R K
 ________________________________________________________________________
 
                                   5769
 
                        2017-2018 Regular Sessions
 
                           I N  A S S E M B L Y
 
                             February 15, 2017
                                ___________
 
 Introduced  by  M.  of A. GALEF, ARROYO, SIMON, CAHILL, STIRPE -- Multi-
   Sponsored by -- M. of A. CROUCH --  read  once  and  referred  to  the
   Committee on Governmental Operations
 
 AN  ACT  to  establish a temporary state commission to study child abuse
   prevention and make recommendations for the  implementation  of  child
   abuse  prevention  programs  across  the  state; and providing for the
   repeal of such provisions upon expiration thereof
 
   THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, REPRESENTED IN SENATE AND  ASSEM-
 BLY, DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:
 
   Section  1.  Legislative findings. The legislature hereby acknowledges
 that child abuse is a continuing societal problem in the state affecting
 at least 80,000 children each year. In  recent  years,  there  has  been
 research  on  the  long-term effects of child abuse on the individual as
 well as society. The vast majority of research has demonstrated that the
 consequences of child abuse are grave, damaging  and  often  spill  over
 into  a  person's  adult  life.  Adverse effects have been identified in
 maltreated children's physical, cognitive, emotional and social develop-
 ment.
   Furthermore, the legislature finds that the failure to  address  child
 abuse through preventive measures not only harms a million children each
 year in this country, it imposes a tremendous cost to society. Like most
 states,  New  York  spends  a  considerable  amount  of fiscal and human
 resources  to  treat  the  numerous  consequences  of  child  abuse  and
 maltreatment.  The  failure to invest in prevention results in a signif-
 icantly greater amount of resources needed to treat the outcomes.
   § 2. A temporary state commission, to be known as the  "commission  of
 child  abuse prevention", is hereby established to examine, evaluate and
 make recommendations concerning child abuse prevention  efforts  in  the
 state. The commission shall consider the need for additional legislation
 as  well  as  a  stable  source  of  funding  for child abuse prevention
 programs. Specific issues  to  be  addressed  by  the  commission  shall
 
  EXPLANATION--Matter in ITALICS (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
                       [ ] is old law to be omitted.
              

                                                            LBD02853-01-7

 A. 5769                             2
 
 include  home  visitation programs and screening for families at risk of
 child maltreatment.
   § 3. The commission shall consist of thirteen members, to be appointed
 as follows: three members to be appointed by the governor; three members
 to  be appointed by the temporary president of the senate; three members
 to be appointed by the speaker  of  the  assembly;  two  members  to  be
 appointed  by  the  minority leader of the senate; and two members to be
 appointed by the minority leader of the assembly. The members shall have
 demonstrated expertise in and experience with the field of  child  abuse
 prevention.  A chairperson and vice-chairperson of such commission shall
 be elected by the majority of its members, all members being present.
   § 4. The members of the commission shall receive no  compensation  for
 their services, but shall be allowed their actual and necessary expenses
 incurred in the performance of their duties hereunder.
   §  5.  The commission may employ and at pleasure remove such personnel
 as it may deem necessary for the performance of  its  functions.    Such
 commission  may  meet  and hold public and/or private hearings within or
 without the state, and shall  have  all  the  powers  of  a  legislative
 committee pursuant to the legislative law.
   §  6.  For the accomplishment of its purposes, the commission shall be
 authorized and empowered to undertake any studies, inquiries, surveys or
 analyses it may deem relevant in cooperation with or by  agreement  with
 any other public or private agency.
   § 7. The commission shall make a report of its findings, including any
 recommendations  for  legislative  action  as  it may deem necessary and
 appropriate, to the governor, the temporary president of the senate  and
 the  speaker  of the assembly no later than one year after the effective
 date of this act.
   § 8. This act shall take effect immediately and shall  expire  and  be
 deemed repealed two years after such effective date.