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Calling 911 In Cases Of Abuse Or Neglect Of Disabled Or Mentally Ill New Yorkers

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ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) — Some New York lawmakers want to mandate that complaints about possible abuse or neglect of disabled or mentally ill people in state care be made first to 911 and local prosecutors.

Currently, such complaints are routed directly to New York's Justice Center, the agency set up three years ago to protect the more than 1 million people in state care.

Supporters of the legislation have questioned how aggressively the Justice Center pursues such cases, and they say getting local authorities involved sooner could help stop abuse and start potential cases faster.

The Justice Center has yet to take a position on the legislation.                                        

Opponents, led by the public employees union, argue 911 could be overwhelmed with such complaints and that it should be reserved for medical, fire and safety emergencies.

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