NYS LEGISLATURE PASSES BILL THAT WILL PROVIDE FULL, INDEPENDENT OVERSIGHT OF THE NYC ADMINISTRATION FOR CHILDREN’S SERVICES (ACS) BY GRANTING DOI ACCESS TO CRITICAL ACS RECORDS

Nadia I. Shihata, Commissioner of the New York City Department of Investigation (DOI), thanked State Senator Jabari Brisport and State Assemblymember Andrew Hevesi for their sponsorship and support of S8205A/A8428A, which provides DOI critical access to records at the City Administration for Children’s Services (ACS). With this access, DOI will be able to conduct full, independent investigations as it does at other City agencies. The legislation, which passed the Assembly unanimously and the Senate in a 59-1 vote, must still be signed by the Governor.

DOI Commissioner Nadia I. Shihata said, “As New York City’s independent Inspector General, DOI’s core mission is to find the facts, expose wrongdoing and corruption at City agencies and entities, and improve government for all New Yorkers. This includes the children of New York City. This legislation empowers DOI to fulfill its mission and conduct the rigorous and independent oversight that it does at other City agencies. I want to thank the State Legislature – in particular State Senator Jabari Brisport and State Assemblymember Andrew Hevesi – for their sponsorship and support of the bill. The Governor’s signature would be a win for the children of New York City and for advancing oversight over the City’s child welfare system.”

In May, DOI issued a Report on the obstacles to its independent oversight of the City’s child welfare system due to the New York State Social Services Law (SSL) and the discretion provided by certain provisions of the SSL to a state entity. The Report sought to bring to the public’s attention the impediments presented by State law and the interpretation of these laws by state regulators that consistently hinder DOI investigations and the fulfillment of DOI’s legal mandate.