The purpose of this Informational Letter (INF) is to advise commissioners, directors, and staff members of local departments of social services (LDSS’s), voluntary authorized agencies (VA’s), day care centers and school-age child care programs, and residential and non-residential domestic violence (DV) programs of the provisions contained in Chapter 193 of the Laws of 2007, which amended section 413 of the New York State Social Services Law (SSL). This act, which affects the procedures for mandated reporters on the staff of any medical or other public or private institution, school, facility or agency in New York State, became law on July 3, 2007, and went into effect on October 1, 2007.
This INF will also provide guidance from the Office of Children and Family Services (OCFS), based on its interpretation of the law, on how mandated reporters and organizations that come under the auspices of the new law may fulfill their responsibilities when there is more than one mandated reporter from a single organization who has reasonable cause to suspect child abuse or maltreatment regarding the same incident or situation.
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