1. I. The Task Force is granted the powers and duties set forth below, in order to advise the Governor and Legislature as to the most effective ways for State government to respond to the critical law enforcement and social problems posed by domestic violence. It shall consist of no fewer than 20 members, including at least one person in each of the following categories: a legal aid attorney, representatives of the family and criminal courts, a law enforcement official, a provider of community services to battered spouses, one or more representatives of the State agencies which now provide services to victims of domestic violence, a member of the clergy, a mental health professional familiar with the impact on families of such problems as alcohol and substance abuse, a social worker familiar with the service needs of all family members in a violent situation, and a health care professional, as well as persons who have themselves been victims of domestic violence.

   The members of the Task Force shall be appointed as follows: two of the members shall be appointed by the Speaker of the Assembly; two by the Temporary President of the Senate; one by the Minority Leader of the Assembly and one by the Minority Leader of the Senate. The remaining members shall be appointed by the Governor. No members shall be elected public officials. An Advisory Board to the Task Force, comprised of the Commissioners and Directors of State agencies which are involved with the problem of domestic violence, as well as elected public officials, shall also be established.

   The members of the Task Force shall not receive any salary or other compensation for their services but shall be entitled to reimbursement for actual and necessary expenses incurred in the performance of their duties. Reimbursement for such expenses, and compensation for such staff and services as may be deemed necessary by the chairman, shall be made only within the amounts made available therefor and subject to the approval of the Director of the Budget.

2. II. Among the responsibilities of the Task Force shall be the submission to the Governor and the Legislature, no later than January 1, 1980, of a report containing specific recommendations for legislative and administrative actions which should be taken in the following areas related to domestic violence:
3. (1) Information regarding the extent and nature of domestic violence in New York;
4. (2) Accessibility and effectiveness of existing services to New York's victims of domestic violence;
5. (3) Goals, objectives and plans for future services to New York's victims of domestic violence;
6. (4) Effectiveness of the present civil and criminal legal systems in responding to cases of domestic violence;
7. (5) Ability of law enforcement and social service agencies to respond more effectively to cases of domestic violence;
8. (6) Education and information to the public concerning services available to families affected by violence;
9. (7) Intervention to help families under stress so as to prevent incidents of domestic violence.

10. III. The Task Force may request and shall receive from any department, division, board, bureau, commission or agency of the State such assistance and data as will enable it properly to carry out its powers and duties hereunder.

    Signed: Hugh L. Carey Dated: May 17, 1979

In light of the tragic emotional and physical consequences to families of domestic violence and by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and Laws of the State of New York, I, Hugh L. Carey, Governor of the State of New York, do hereby establish within the Executive Department the Task Force on Domestic Violence.