BILL NUMBER:  S233

 TITLE OF BILL :  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

 PURPOSE OR GENERAL IDEA OF BILL :

To establish a temporary State commission to study child abuse
prevention efforts in New York and make recommendations for
Legislative action based upon its findings.

 SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS :

Section 1 of the bill states the Legislative findings.

Section 2 of the bill establishes the "Commission of Child Abuse
Prevention" (the "Commission"), which is a temporary State commission,
that is empowered to examine, evaluate and make recommendations
concerning child abuse prevention efforts in the State.

Section 3 of the bill prescribes the composition of the Commission,
which shall be 13 members, and the rules for appointment to the
Commission.
              

Section 4 of the bill provides that the Commission members shall
receive no compensation for their services, but are allowed
reimbursement for expenses.

Section 5 of the bill provides that the Commission is allowed to
employ personnel for the performance of its functions and that the
Commission possess the powers of a Legislative committee pursuant to
the Legislative Law.

Section 6 of the bill provides that the Commission is authorized to
undertake any studies, inquiries, surveys or analyses that it deems
relevant in cooperation with or by agreement with any other public or
private agency.

Section 7 of the bill requires the Commission to make a report of its
findings to the Governor and legislative leaders within one year after
the effective date of this act.

Section 8 of the bill provides that this act shall take effect
immediately and shall expire and be deemed repealed two years after
such effective date.

 EXISTING LAW :

New law.

 JUSTIFICATION :

Approximately 1,300 children die each year in this country as a result
of child abuse and neglect and many others receive serious injuries.
In New York State, approximately 80,000 children are found to be
maltreated each year.

Child abuse and neglect has been rising across the State and more
resources are expended to treat the consequences including
incarceration, court costs, foster care and more. A 2003 study by
Prevent Child Abuse New York estimated these costs to be approximately
$2.4 billion each year; while the amount spent on primary prevention
is a fraction of that amount. The 2015 Office of Children and Family
Services on the William B. Hoyt Memorial Children & Family Trust Fund
reported that it received $4,021,112 in funds for child abuse
prevention programs. The report lists as its' successes in 2015 that
"more than 213,600 adults and children accessed crucial support and
resources from 25 program providers who received funding from the
Trust Fund." (Report p. 2) Unfortunately, because these funds also
fund services for domestic violence prevention and elder abuse
prevention, we do not know how many children were protected from child
abuse from the use of these funds.

Tragic cases of child abuse are reported in the press on a regular
basis and while these reports focus on the most horrific cases, most
cases of child abuse are preventable. These cases range from severe
neglect to the explosive shaking of a crying baby.

Research has demonstrated that programs focusing on education and
training of future and new parents are the most practical and
cost-effective means for preventing child abuse and neglect.

Effective prevention programs that promote the safety and well-being
of children and families can reduce the suffering of children, assist
parents in developing better parenting skills and reduce the economic
costs to society. The total financial costs of child abuse and neglect
are quite high, but the benefits or savings from investing in
prevention programs also are quite high.

Many prevention programs address not only child abuse prevention but
other aspects of family dynamics that threaten child and family
well-being. These threats include preventable health conditions such
as low birth weight, infant mortality, drug addicted babies and more.
These programs often provide referrals, education, expertise, and most
importantly stability for at-risk families.

While a number of these preventive programs have proven to be both
beneficial and cost effective, they are currently only offered to a
small number of families at risk of abuse and neglect. For example,
home visitation is only available to about 10% to 14% of eligible
families.

By studying the availability of successful prevention program, and the
best way to expand their services to more families at risk, we can
save numerous children from having to endure abuse and neglect while
saving the state considerable fiscal resources.

 PRIOR LEGISLATIVE HISTORY :

2016: S.824 - Passed the Senate
2015: S.824 - Passed the Senate
2014: S.2095-A - Passed the Senate
2013: S.2095-A - Passed the Senate
2012: S.2163 - Passed the Senate
2011: S.2163 - Referred to Finance
2010: S.7514 - Referred to Finance

 FISCAL IMPLICATIONS :

To be determined.

 EFFECTIVE DATE :
This act shall take effect immediately and shall expire and be deemed
repealed two years after such effective date.