§ 623. Powers and duties of the office. The office shall have the\nfollowing powers and duties:\n 1. To establish and maintain a principal office and such other offices\nwithin the state as it may deem necessary.\n 2. To appoint a secretary, counsel, clerks and such other employees\nand agents as it may deem necessary, fix their compensation within the\nlimitations provided by law, and prescribe their duties.\n 3. To adopt, promulgate, amend and rescind suitable rules and\nregulations to carry out the provisions and purposes of this article,\nincluding rules for the determination of claims, rules for the approval\nof attorneys' fees for representation before the office and/or before\nthe appellate division upon judicial review as provided for in section\nsix hundred twenty-nine of this article, rules for the definition and\nreasonable reimbursement of individual items of essential personal\nproperty considered essential and necessary for the victim's welfare\npursuant to section six hundred thirty-one of this article, and rules\nfor the authorization of qualified persons to assist claimants in the\npreparation of claims for presentation to the office.\n 4. To request from the division of state police, from county or\nmunicipal police departments and agencies and from any other state or\nmunicipal department or agency, or public authority, and the same are\nhereby authorized to provide, such assistance and data as will enable\nthe office to carry out its functions and duties.\n 5. To hear and determine all claims for awards filed with the office\npursuant to this article, and to reinvestigate or reopen cases as\nnecessary.\n 6. To direct medical examination of victims.\n 7. To hold hearings, administer oaths or affirmations, examine any\nperson under oath or affirmation and to issue subpoenas requiring the\nattendance and giving of testimony of witnesses and require the\nproduction of any books, papers, documentary or other evidence. The\npowers provided in this subdivision may be delegated by the director to\nany member or employee of the office. A subpoena issued under this\nsubdivision shall be regulated by the civil practice law and rules.\n 8. To take or cause to be taken affidavits or depositions within or\nwithout the state.\n 9. To establish and maintain a special investigative unit to expedite\nprocessing of claims by senior citizens and special emergency\nsituations, and to promote, in consultation with the office for the\naging, the establishment of a volunteer program of home visitation to\nelderly and invalid victims of violent crime.\n 10. To advise and assist the governor in developing policies designed\nto recognize the legitimate rights, needs and interests of crime\nvictims.\n 11. To coordinate state programs and activities relating to crime\nvictims.\n 12. To cooperate with and assist political subdivisions of the state\nand not-for-profit organizations in the development of local programs\nfor crime victims.\n 13. To study the operation of laws and procedures affecting crime\nvictims and recommend to the governor and legislature proposals to\nimprove the administration and effectiveness of such laws.\n 14. To establish an advisory council to assist in formulation of\npolicies on the problems of crime victims and to provide recommendations\nto the director to improve the delivery of services to victims by the\noffice.\n 15. To work with national associations, statewide coalitions, regional\ncoalitions, victim service providers, and other advocates to address and\nadvance the rights and interests of crime victims of the state.\n 16. To promote and conduct studies, research, analyses and\ninvestigations of matters affecting the interests of crime victims.\n 17. To coordinate training opportunities for crime victim advocates\nand service providers.\n 18. To serve as a clearinghouse for information relating to crime\nvictims' problems and programs.\n 19. To accept, with the approval of the gove
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