N.Y. Executive Law § 48: General functions, powers and duties of office of welfare inspector general

§ 48. General functions, powers and duties of office of welfare

inspector general. The office of welfare inspector general, by and

through the welfare inspector general, or his duly authorized deputy,

director, assistant, officer or employee, shall have the following

functions, powers and duties notwithstanding section one hundred

thirty-six of the social services law:

1. To receive and investigate complaints from the public or any other

source concerning alleged abuses, suspected frauds, and other violations

of the welfare system which shall be deemed to include medical

assistance. As used in this article, the term "medical assistance" shall

have the same meaning contained in section three hundred sixty-five-a of

the social services law.

2. To receive complaints of alleged failures to prosecute frauds

against the welfare system which shall be deemed to include medical

assistance and to investigate the same.

3. To receive complaints of alleged failures to enforce the state's

laws regarding the employment of welfare recipients in available

employment, and to investigate the same.

4. To receive complaints of alleged failures of local officials and

employees to comply with state laws and regulations regarding welfare

administration which shall be deemed to include medical assistance, and

to investigate the same.

5. On the initiative of the office and at the direction of the welfare

inspector general, to conduct any investigation: of the operations of

the state social services department and local social services

districts, the state health department and local health departments, and

the state department of mental hygiene and community mental health

boards in order to insure proper expenditure of welfare funds; of

violations of the welfare system; of failure to prosecute welfare

frauds; of failure to enforce the state's laws regarding the employment

of welfare recipients in available employment; of failure of local

officials and employees to comply with state law, rules, and regulations

regarding welfare administration which shall be deemed to include

medical assistance, and other matters relating thereto.

6. To exercise and perform such other functions, powers and duties as

may from time to time be conferred or imposed by law.

7. To make an annual report to the governor, the comptroller and the

legislature concerning its work during the preceding year, and to make

such further interim reports to them as they or any of them shall deem

advisable or require.

8. To conduct any inquiry pertinent or material to the discharge of

the functions, powers and duties imposed by law; and through designated

members of the staff, to subpoena witnesses, administer oaths, take

testimony and compel the production of such books, papers, records and

documents as may be relevant to any such inquiry and investigation.

9. To do all things necessary or convenient to carry out the

functions, powers and duties set forth in this article, to the extent

they conform with applicable federal requirements, if any.

10. To make, amend or repeal such rules and regulations as may be

necessary with the approval of the state comptroller, for the

performance of the duties imposed hereunder.