LaValle Bill Will Help Reduce Social Service Fraud and Abuse

New York State Senator Kenneth P. LaValle today announced that his legislation (S1770) allowing county, city and town social services departments to enter into an agreement with the State Department of Health granting access to the official list of death certificates on file with the Department passed the New York State Senate today.

The State Department of Health maintains the official list of all death certificates filed in New York.

“Death certificates,” Senator LaValle explained, “are not public records and acquiring them can be onerous for social service agencies.”

“Quicker access to these records could assist in the prevention of public assistance abuse and or fraud,” Senator LaValle said.

“My legislation will provide social service agencies with a streamlined way to obtain information on reported deaths by allowing a list of clients names and other identifying information to be submitted and cross-checked against the State Department of Health’s official list, “ Senator LaValle said.

The Bill will now move on to the Assembly.