Query bill raises new questions

Rick Karlin

Lawmakers are considering a bill that, depending on who you talk to, would either help protect disabled New Yorkers from traumatic questions during abuse investigations or put the brakes on those inquiries.

Sponsored by Sen. David Carlucci and Assemblywoman Aileen Gunther, both Democrats, the measure could block investigators with the year-old state Justice Center for the Protection of People With Special Needs from interviewing a developmentally disabled person if the session could cause them distress or trauma.

The bill's supporters say its intent is to avoid upsetting or creating more stress for vulnerable, developmentally disabled people who may have been abused. But some fear the measure could impede investigations of abuse, which are supposed to be swiftly carried out and often turn on the testimony of victims, by derailing them into bureaucratic wrangling.

"We certainly understand the need to interview people," said Ben Golden, director of governmental affairs for NYSARC, which represents private nonprofit centers for the disabled.
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