Summary of S.7749 - Protection of People with Special Needs Act

• Creates 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 establish uniform safeguards and investigate abuse and neglect across six state agencies serving over 270,000 vulnerable persons in residential facilities.

• Establishes a statewide Vulnerable Persons' Central Register to receive 24/7 reports of allegations of abuse, neglect, and significant incidents involving vulnerable persons; the Justice Center conducts investigations and makes substantiated findings that trigger specific consequences based on four categories of severity.

• Creates a Special Prosecutor position with concurrent authority with district attorneys to investigate and prosecute abuse and neglect crimes against vulnerable persons, while preserving district attorneys' independent prosecutorial authority.

• Implements a register of substantiated Category One cases of abuse or neglect that permanently bars individuals from employment in positions involving regular contact with vulnerable persons; Category Two findings subject custodians to progressive discipline with mandatory retraining.

• Establishes a Justice Center Medical Review Board to investigate unusual or suspicious deaths of patients and residents in mental hygiene and children's facilities, with authority to order autopsies and make recommendations to prevent future incidents.

• Effective date is June 30, 2013 for all Parts A-H, with immediate authorization for preparatory rulemaking.