N.Y. Comp. Codes R. & Regs. tit. 9 § 5.95
WHEREAS, the level of violence perpetrated and experienced by students in our school as continued to escalate;
WHEREAS, students, parents, teachers and administrators have real and justifiable fears concerning the safety of their schools; and
WHEREAS, in addition to putting the physical safety of children, teachers and other school personnel at risk, violent and disruptive pupils deprive other students of the opportunity to learn in an environment which is safe and conducive to education;
NOW, THEREFORE, I, GEORGE E. PATAKI, 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 Task Force on School Violence.
The Task Force on School Violence (Task Force) shall consist of the Lieutenant Governor, who shall serve as Chair, the Director of Criminal Justice, the Superintendent of the New York State Police, the Commissioner of Education, The Commissioner of the Office of Children & Family Services, the Commissioner of the Office of Mental Health, and the Executive Director of the Council on Children and Families, or their designees. Additional Task Force members shall be appointed by the Governor and shall include representatives from the public and private sectors with expertise in addressing the issue of violence in schools and communities. Members of the Task Force shall include school administrators and educators, including superintendents, principals, and teachers, as well as law enforcement personnel, parents, students and experts in the fields of adolescent health and safety and juvenile justice. The members of the Task Force, who shall be appointed by the Governor and serve at his pleasure, shall receive no compensation but shall be entitled to reimbursement for any necessary expenses incurred in connection with the performance of their duties.
The Task Force shall study and report to the Governor on a practical plan of action to address the growing trend of violence and disruptive conduct in our schools and to promote a safe learning environment for all children and school personnel. In performing this work, the Task Force shall solicit the views and concerns of parents, teachers, students, school administrators, school boards, medial and mental health professionals, and State and local law enforcement agencies. Additionally, the Task Force shall consult with appropriate departments, divisions and units of State and local government.
The Task Force is hereby authorized to call upon any agency, department, office, division, or public authority of this State to supply it with such data and other resources, personnel and assistance as the Task Force deems necessary to discharge the responsibilities conferred upon it by this Order. Each agency, department, office, division, and public authority of this State is hereby required to cooperate with the Task Force and to furnish to the Task Force such information, personnel, and assistance as the Task Force deems necessary to accomplish the purposes of this Order.
The Task Force shall be dissolved 90 days after the completion of its report.
Signed: George E. Pataki
Dated: April 15, 1999
N.Y. Comp. Codes R. & Regs. Tit. 9 § 5.95