The New York State Senate passed a law to fix the state's current aid to the disabled.
Governor Andrew Cuomo is taking this endeavor very seriously, particularly following reports of mistreatment in group homes that are catered to the disabled.
"I think it's an episode where we're once again going to show the way on what the best, progressive government does in terms of protecting its vulnerable," Cuomo said Wednesday on an Albany radio station.
Cuomo announced the creation of a Justice Center for the Protection of People with Special Needs. According to Cuomo, New York State provides services to over 1 million New Yorkers with special needs.
"This new law will help us protect the civil rights of the more than 1 million New Yorkers with disabilities and special needs who for too long have not had the protections and justice they deserve," Cuomo said Sunday.
The new center will offer access to a special prosecutor and inspector general to look into reports of mistreatment of the disabled living in group homes.
"The Empire State's system for the care and treatment of people with disabilities will be transformed," Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver said. "With the creation of an independent Justice Center for the Protection of People with Special Needs, parents will be able to get information on allegations of abuse and know that these cases are taken seriously."
The measure to create this new program was passed on Wednesday afternoon.
