Dear Friends and Colleagues:
Last week, I shared news that Governor Cuomo had announced his proposal for a Justice Center for the Protection of People with Special Needs. This unprecedented legislation would establish the strongest standards and practices in the nation for protecting more than one million people with disabilities or special needs served by the state’s human service agencies.
By last Friday, more than 100 groups and organizations, representing thousands of people from across the state, had already signed onto the grassroots coalition to support the governor’s proposed legislation. That number continues to grow every day.
There has been an outpouring of support and interest—many people are asking what provisions the legislation includes, as well as how they can get involved in making this plan a reality.
For starters, you can visit www.governor.ny.gov/Justice4SpecialNeeds/home. This is a website dedicated to informing the public about the Justice Center, which provides many different ways people can choose to engage in this process.
Also, as you know, utilizing social media has become one of the most common means of keeping people informed, and you can help by forwarding this email to family and friends, following the Justice Center on Twitter @NYGovCuomo (using the #Justice4SpecialNeeds hashtag), and joining us on Facebook.
The governor’s proposed legislation includes:
- · Special prosecutor and inspector general to investigate reports of abuse and neglect and prosecute allegations of criminal offenses.
- · 24/7 hotline to report abuse that will immediately classify the allegations and route reports to law enforcement agencies when appropriate.
- · Comprehensive statewide database to track and monitor abuse complaints in order to spot trends.
- · Statewide abuse registry to track workers who have committed serious acts of abuse and prevent them from ever working with people with disabilities or special needs.
- · Consolidation of background checks on individuals applying for a job or other position dealing with people with special needs and disabilities across state agencies.
- · Standardized definitions for abuse and neglect to enable the Justice Center to more easily process and address instances of abuse.
- · Strengthened anti-abuse laws, including increased criminal penalties for endangering the welfare of people with disabilities and special needs, and a stronger ability for prosecutors to prove cases of sexual abuse.
I thank each and every one of you who has worked hand in hand with us over the last year to strengthen the quality of care for the people we’re so privileged to serve. With your continued partnership, we can help provide over one million people with special needs and disabilities the protection and justice they deserve.
Thank you,
Commissioner Burke