Bill to Better Track Alleged Child Abusers Passes Senate Committee

Senator Patrick M. Gallivan (R-C-I, Elma) announces the Senate’s Standing Committee on Children and Families has passed a bill (S.1981) that would require New York State to notify local child protective services if the operator of a licensed day care center or similar facility is the subject of an allegation of child abuse or maltreatment.

Senator Gallivan sponsored the legislation, which would also require the Office of Children and Family Services to notify the local child protective agency if any person named in the report is a known sex offender or has previously been the subject of a report of abuse or neglect. 

"We must do all we can to protect children from child abuse and mistreatment, including making sure that state and local agencies share information,” Gallivan said.  “If the operator of a child care facility is accused of child abuse or neglect, the local child protective services agency must be made aware of the allegation as they start their investigation.”

In addition to operating the statewide central register, the Office of Child and Family Services also licenses and registers child care providers in New York.

The legislation has the support of the New York Public Welfare Association, the professional organization of local departments of social services.

The bill will be sent to the full Senate for consideration.

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