1. I. General Powers.

   The Office of State Ombudsman shall have the following functions, powers and duties:

2. (a) to advise and assist the Governor and the Lieutenant Governor in developing State programs designed to meet the needs of citizens;
3. (b) to coordinate existing State programs and activities intended to provide services to citizens;
4. (c) to cooperate with State agencies to assure that the services to which citizens are entitled are, in fact, provided;
5. (d) to serve as a clearinghouse for information relating to services to which citizens are entitled;
6. (e) to refer persons seeking advice, assistance and available services to the appropriate departments and agencies of the State, Federal and local governments or to agencies providing services by contract with such governmental entities;
7. (f) to investigate specific complaints concerning the delivery of services by State agencies and to report deficiencies to the heads of the agencies involved and, where appropriate, to the Lieutenant Governor and to the Governor;
8. (g) to prepare for submission to the Legislature proposals designed to improve the delivery of services to citizens; and
9. (h) to cooperate with and assist political subdivisions of the State in the development of local ombudsman programs.

10. II. Cooperation of State Agencies.

    All heads of State agencies and programs are hereby directed to cooperate with the Office of State Ombudsman in carrying out the purposes of this executive order. The Office of State Ombudsman shall have access to the heads of State agencies and to other State personnel responsible for establishing policies affecting the delivery of services to citizens.

11. III. Personnel.

    The Office of State Ombudsman may employ such staff and assistants as may be necessary, at a compensation to be fixed by the Lieutenant Governor within the amounts available therefor and subject to the approval of the Director of the Budget.

    Signed: Hugh L. Carey Dated: January 15, 1979

WHEREAS, it is incumbent upon government to assure that the needs and desires of the citizens of New York State are appropriately considered in the development of governmental programs; and

WHEREAS, there is a need to supervise and to coordinate existing programs intended to deliver services to citizens; and

WHEREAS, there is a need to provide persons seeking information or assistance regarding programs and services with easy access to such information;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, Hugh L. Carey, Governor of the State of New York, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and Laws of the State of New York, do hereby establish the Office of State Ombudsman in the Executive Department. The office shall be under the jurisdiction of the Lieutenant Governor.