N.Y. Second Class Cities Law § 171: Powers and duties of commissioner

§ 171. Powers and duties of commissioner. The commissioner of

charities shall have the general care, management, administration and

supervision of the charities, almshouses, hospitals, houses of

correction, orphan asylums and all other similar institutions, the

control or government of which belongs or is intrusted to the city. He

shall make regulations for the expenditure of the moneys appropriated

for the support or relief of the poor and for the general supervision of

such expenditures. He shall investigate fully the circumstances of all

persons alleged to be destitute or without proper means of support, or

without proper guardianship, or who are in danger of becoming or are a

public burden in any respect; and also the circumstances of their

relatives or other persons whose duty it is to relieve or maintain them

or contribute to their support; also to institute and prosecute any and

all actions and proceedings authorized by law to compel any and all

persons liable for the care, maintenance, education or support of any

such destitute or dependent persons to contribute thereto, and to

indemnify the city and public against any expenditures on account

thereof. He shall also prosecute any and all bonds, undertakings or

recognizances given for any of the purposes herein mentioned or in any

manner relating thereto. Any and all moneys recovered in any such suit,

action or proceeding or otherwise paid to or received by the said

commissioner on account of the care, maintenance, relief, education or

support of any such persons shall be deposited by the commissioner with

the city treasurer as a trust fund, and the same shall be applied and

expended by the said commissioner for the purpose on account of which

the same were paid. Any surplus remaining in said fund at the close of

the fiscal year shall be treated as an unexpended balance of money

appropriated for such department. The commissioner shall furnish to and

file with the comptroller a monthly statement in detail of all receipts

and expenditures, including the aid and relief granted by him, with the

names and addresses of all recipients.