OSWEGO COUNTY -- Oswego County officials have mounted opposition to legislation pending before the New York State Senate which they feel could endanger children.
Department of Social Services Commissioner Gregg Heffner tells CNYcentral's Jim Kenyon that Senate Bill 6678, "came out of the blue."
The bill would amend the Family Court Act in relation to, "adjournment and contemplation of dismissal and suspended judgments in child protective proceedings in Family Court."
Heffner says the bill would withdraw power from the Department of Social Services and the attorney for the child by allowing judges to dismiss cases of child abuse and neglect without their permission.
"It takes away our authority to provide supervision and hold parents accountable," said Heffner.
The bill has already unanimously passed the Assembly and is now before the State Senate.
Heffner is working with the New York Public Welfare Association, which has issued a memo in opposition to the legislation. Public Welfare Association is a professional organization of local departments of Social Services.
In response to the NY Public Welfare Association, the New York State Unified Court System (UCS) issued a statement that says, in part: "We need this bill precisely because the agency often fails to consent even when the case is tailor-made for this resolution -- cases where the child remains at home successfully and safely and there is no need for court intervention."
The statement from UCS goes on to say: "Sometimes an adjournment with conditions for the parent to follow is a more effective means of ensuring that the child will be safe and will have his or her needs met by the parent on a continuing basis."
"Finally, the bill does NOT endanger children," concluded the UCS statement.
Since the death of Erin Maxwell Oswego County has been trying to change policies and procedures to ensure children are better protected. The 11-year-old girl was found living in deplorable conditions after she was attacked inside her Palermo home.
There was garbage animal and feces throughout the property. Alan Jones was convicted of murder in the case, he will be appealing that conviction this fall. Maxwell's parents were both convicted for Endangering the Welfare of a Child and have served their sentences.
Read the New York Public Welfare Association's memo.
