A package of bills that would improve Child Protective Services in New York has been introduced by State Senator Patrick Gallivan. The Elma Republican says his legislation would better protect children.
Gallivan said his package would put into law many of the proposals suggested by Erie County Executive Mark Poloncarz last week. County CPS workers were under fire in recent years following the brutal killings of two young boys by abusive adults in Buffalo.
Gallivan said laws protecting children need updating more than 40 years after they were first enacted. He said one plank of his package would make endangering the welfare of a child a Class D felony.
"This has to do with the actions of an individual who creates a risk of serious physical injury in a child," Gallivan said. "If he's doing something wrong, this holds him accountable."
Gallivan said technology needs to be modernized to enhance communication between the state and local CPS offices.
He expressed hope his legislation will be taken up when lawmakers return to Albany following their Easter and Passover holidays.