Res. No. 1040 Title Resolution calling upon the New York State Legislature to pass A.2914, a bill that would strengthen the requirements for child abuse background checks of employees of agencies and other institutions having substantial contact with children, expand the types of agencies and other institutions required to make such background checks, and allow the State to share child abuse information with other states. Body By Council Members Stabile, Malave-Dilan, Eisland, Espada, Freed, Lopez, marshall, Perkins, Reed, Rodriguez, Warden, Abel, Ognibene, Oddo and Golden: also Council Members Harrison, O'Donovan, Povman, Provenzano, Leffler,Watkins, Foster, Clarke and Wooden. Whereas, The safety of children is of utmost importance; and Whereas, In particular, grave harm to children may be prevented through thorough child abuse background checks of employees of agencies and other institutions which provide care and services to children; and Whereas, Serious harm to children may also be prevented if thorough child abuse background checks are performed by primary and secondary private schools and municipal park and recreation departments on employees who have regular and substantial contact with children; and Whereas, The sharing of child abuse information among states may also help to prevent grave harm to children; and Whereas, Section 424-a of the New York State Social Services Law only requires a single child abuse background check for prospective employees of certain agencies and other institutions having substantial contact with children, and does not require any follow-up child abuse background checks on such individuals; and Whereas, Currently, primary and secondary private schools and municipal park and recreation departments throughout the State are not required to perform child abuse background checks on employees who have substantial contact with children; and Whereas, The State may not currently share child abuse information with other states; and Whereas, The New York State Assembly is currently considering A.2914, a bill that would require an annual child abuse background check to be performed by certain agencies and other institutions whose employees have regular and substantial contact with children; and Whereas, This bill would also require primary and secondary private schools and municipal park and recreation departments to perform child abuse background checks on employees who have regular and substantial contact with children; and Whereas, This bill would also provide that the State share child abuse information with other states; now, therefore, be it Resolved, That the Council of the City of New York calls upon the New York State Legislature to pass A.2914, a bill that would strengthen the requirements for child abuse background checks of employees of agencies and other institutions having substantial contact with children, expand the types of agencies and other institutions required to make such background checks, and allow the State to share child abuse information with other states. Referred to the Committee on General Welfare. T1999-23