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

                                  9038

                          I N  A S S E M B L Y

                             March 11, 2014
                               ___________

Introduced  by M. of A. GALEF -- 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.
  S  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
include home visitation programs and screening for families at  risk  of
child maltreatment.
  S 3. The commission shall consist of thirteen members, to be appointed
as follows: three members to be appointed by the governor; three members

 EXPLANATION--Matter in ITALICS (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
                      [ ] is old law to be omitted.
              

                                                           LBD03717-03-4

A. 9038                             2

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.
  S  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.
  S 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.
  S 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.
  S 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.
  S  8.  This  act shall take effect immediately and shall expire and be
deemed repealed two years after such effective date.