S.7400 - Protection of People with Special Needs Act

• Establishes the Justice Center for the Protection of People with Special Needs within the Executive Department, headed by an Executive Director appointed by the Governor with Senate consent, to protect vulnerable persons in residential and non-residential facilities operated or licensed by state agencies.

• Creates a statewide Vulnerable Persons' Central Register to receive, investigate, and track allegations of abuse and neglect of vulnerable persons, operating a 24/7 hotline for mandatory reporters to submit reports.

• Authorizes a Special Prosecutor and Inspector General to investigate and prosecute offenses involving abuse or neglect of vulnerable persons, with concurrent authority with district attorneys to prosecute such crimes.

• Establishes a register of substantiated Category One abuse/neglect cases that bars individuals from future employment caring for vulnerable persons; provides for progressive discipline for Category Two violations and remediation plans for Category Three systemic problems.

• Repeals Article 45 of the Mental Hygiene Law (State Commission on Quality of Care and Advocacy for Persons with Disabilities) and transfers its functions to the new Justice Center; applies uniform safeguards across six state agencies serving over 270,000 vulnerable children and adults.