STATE OF NEW YORK
________________________________________________________________________
6835
2015-2016 Regular Sessions
IN ASSEMBLY
April 6, 2015
___________
Introduced by M. of A. GALEF, SCARBOROUGH -- 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:
1 Section 1. Legislative findings. The legislature hereby acknowledges
2 that child abuse is a continuing societal problem in the state affecting
3 at least 80,000 children each year. In recent years, there has been
4 research on the long-term effects of child abuse on the individual as
5 well as society. The vast majority of research has demonstrated that the
6 consequences of child abuse are grave, damaging and often spill over
7 into a person's adult life. Adverse effects have been identified in
8 maltreated children's physical, cognitive, emotional and social develop-
9 ment.
10 Furthermore, the legislature finds that the failure to address child
11 abuse through preventive measures not only harms a million children each
12 year in this country, it imposes a tremendous cost to society. Like most
13 states, New York spends a considerable amount of fiscal and human
14 resources to treat the numerous consequences of child abuse and
15 maltreatment. The failure to invest in prevention results in a signif-
16 icantly greater amount of resources needed to treat the outcomes.
17 § 2. A temporary state commission, to be known as the "commission of
18 child abuse prevention", is hereby established to examine, evaluate and
19 make recommendations concerning child abuse prevention efforts in the
20 state. The commission shall consider the need for additional legislation
21 as well as a stable source of funding for child abuse prevention
22 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.
LBD02258-01-5
A. 6835 2
1 include home visitation programs and screening for families at risk of
2 child maltreatment.
3 § 3. The commission shall consist of thirteen members, to be appointed
4 as follows: three members to be appointed by the governor; three members
5 to be appointed by the temporary president of the senate; three members
6 to be appointed by the speaker of the assembly; two members to be
7 appointed by the minority leader of the senate; and two members to be
8 appointed by the minority leader of the assembly. The members shall have
9 demonstrated expertise in and experience with the field of child abuse
10 prevention. A chairperson and vice-chairperson of such commission shall
11 be elected by the majority of its members, all members being present.
12 § 4. The members of the commission shall receive no compensation for
13 their services, but shall be allowed their actual and necessary expenses
14 incurred in the performance of their duties hereunder.
15 § 5. The commission may employ and at pleasure remove such personnel
16 as it may deem necessary for the performance of its functions. Such
17 commission may meet and hold public and/or private hearings within or
18 without the state, and shall have all the powers of a legislative
19 committee pursuant to the legislative law.
20 § 6. For the accomplishment of its purposes, the commission shall be
21 authorized and empowered to undertake any studies, inquiries, surveys or
22 analyses it may deem relevant in cooperation with or by agreement with
23 any other public or private agency.
24 § 7. The commission shall make a report of its findings, including any
25 recommendations for legislative action as it may deem necessary and
26 appropriate, to the governor, the temporary president of the senate and
27 the speaker of the assembly no later than one year after the effective
28 date of this act.
29 § 8. This act shall take effect immediately and shall expire and be
30 deemed repealed two years after such effective date.
