NY A08908

Individual professional fundraisers, solicitors, and fundraising counsel who complete an approved course in the law and ethics of fundraising receive a certificate of ethics course completion from the Attorney General.

Organizations (fundraising firms, charities) receive a certificate when 75 percent of employees responsible for hiring, training, or supervising fundraising staff complete an approved ethics course.

Approved courses must be established by the Attorney General in consultation with the Education Department and may be offered by universities, colleges, and professional trade associations through classroom training or distance learning.

The Attorney General must annually publish the names of certified professional fundraisers, solicitors, and charitable organizations in public reports and maintain this information in the Charities Bureau Registry.

The Attorney General must report to the Governor and Legislature by June 30, 2012 on course availability, enrollment numbers, and recommendations regarding potential mandatory course completion requirements.