1. I. Membership

   The members of the Task Force shall consist of the Deputy Secretary to the Governor for Human Services, who will chair the Task Force, the Commissioners of Health, Social Services, Correctional Services, Mental Health, Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities, Human Rights, and Labor, the Superintendent of Insurance, the Chairman of the Commission of Correction, the Directors of the Division for Youth, the Division for Women, the Division of Alcoholism and Alcohol Abuse, the Office of Employee Relations, and the Division of Substance Abuse Services.

2. II. Power and Responsibilities

   The Task Force shall:

3. (1) coordinate the public and private efforts in the fight against AIDS;
4. (2) disseminate to the public the best possible information available concerning the proper modes of prevention, diagnosis, treatment and follow-up care for infection with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and HIV-related disorders;
5. (3) monitor the extent and nature of the HIV infection and HIV-related disorders;
6. (4) encourage research efforts by medical centers, universities, nonprofit organizations and research centers concerning AIDS cases; and
7. (5) submit reports to me every six months describing its progress in fulfilling its responsibilities and the status of State efforts to deal with AIDS-related issues.

8. III. Assistance to the Task Force

   All departments, divisions, boards, offices and public corporations of the State are requested to cooperate with the Task Force and to provide such assistance as the Task Force may request to fulfill its purposes.

   Executive Order No. 15, promulgated on May 16, 1983, is revoked and superseded by this Executive Order as of the date hereof.

   Signed: Mario M. Cuomo Dated: August 10, 1987

As of June, 1987, Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) has affected more than 37,386 persons and caused more than 21,621 deaths in the United States. Over 30 percent of all cases in the United States have been reported from New York State.

As the impact of AIDS has spread, several State agencies have confronted and responded to issues relating to AIDS. In addition, an Interagency Task Force on Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) was established by Executive Order No. 15 on May 16, 1983 to coordinate State agency activities related to AIDS. The Task Force has met periodically to discuss major interagency issues.

In light of the continuing need to strengthen State efforts to combat this disease and by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and laws of the State of New York, I, Mario M. Cuomo, Governor of the State of New York, hereby reorganize the Interagency Task Force on Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome to provide for the direct participation by the Executive Chamber on the Task Force.