N.Y. Fam. Ct. Act § 522

§ 522. Persons who may originate proceedings. Proceedings to establish\nthe paternity of the child and to compel support under this article may\nbe commenced by the mother, whether a minor or not, by a person alleging\nto be the father, whether a minor or not, by the child or child's\nguardian or other person standing in a parental relation or being the\nnext of kin of the child, or by any authorized representative of an\nincorporated society doing charitable or philanthropic work, or if the\nmother or child is or is likely to become a public charge on a county,\ncity or town, by a public welfare official of the county, city or town\nwhere the mother resides or the child is found. If a proceeding is\noriginated by a public welfare official and thereafter withdrawn or\ndismissed without consideration on the merits, such withdrawal or\ndismissal shall be without prejudice to other persons.\n