New York Laws
Article 5 - Department of Law
74 - Welfare Inspector General.

(i) to have full and unrestricted access to all records, reports,
audits, reviews, documents, papers, recommendations or other material
available to the department of social services and local social services
districts relating to programs and operations with respect to which the
inspector has responsibilities under this section;
(ii) to make such investigations relating to the administration of the
programs and operations of the department of social services as are, in
the judgment of the inspector, necessary or desirable; and
(iii) to request such information, assistance and cooperation from any
federal, state or local governmental department, board, bureau,
commission, or other agency or unit thereof as may be necessary for
carrying out the duties and responsibilities enjoined upon him by this
section. State and local agencies or units thereof are hereby authorized
and directed to provide such information, assistance and cooperation.
b. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, rule or regulation to
the contrary, no person shall prevent, seek to prevent, interfere with,
obstruct or otherwise hinder any investigation being conducted pursuant
to this section. Section one hundred thirty-six of the social services
law shall in no way be construed to restrict any person or governmental
body from cooperating and assisting the inspector or his employees in
carrying out their duties under this section. Any violation of this
paragraph shall constitute cause for suspension or removal from office
or employment.
5. Establishment period. The governor shall nominate the initial
inspector as soon as is practicable but in no event later than sixty
days after the effective date of this section.
6. Reports required of the inspector. The inspector shall, no later
than February first of each year submit to the governor, the state
comptroller, the attorney general and the legislature a report
summarizing the activities of the office during the preceding calendar
year.
7. Disclosure of information. a. The inspector shall not publicly
disclose information which is:
(i) a part of any ongoing investigation; or
(ii) specifically prohibited from disclosure by any other provision of
law.
b. Notwithstanding paragraph a of this subdivision, any report under
this section may be disclosed to the public in a form which includes
information with respect to a part of an ongoing criminal investigation
if such information has been included in a public record.