N.Y. Pub. Health Law § 2890

§ 2890. Policy and purposes of article. It is hereby declared that the\nrecruitment, training, availability and proper performance of nursing\nservice personnel in hospitals, nursing homes and home health agencies\nare matters of vital concern to the public health. Shortages and\nimproper utilization of nursing service resources result in neglect of\nthe health needs of sick, injured, disabled, infirm and invalid persons,\nand improper performance of nursing services. In order to provide for\nthe protection and promotion of the health of the inhabitants of the\nstate, the department of health shall have the central, comprehensive\nresponsibility for the development and administration of the state's\npolicy with respect to nursing service and the utilization of nursing\nservice manpower resources by hospitals, nursing homes and home health\nagencies.\n