N.Y. Soc. Serv. Law § 36

§ 36. Studies. The department shall, in so far as available\nappropriations will permit, study and collect information in relation to\n (a) the number and conditions of persons who lack or are threatened\nwith the deprivation of the necessaries of life, or seek, or are\nreceiving public assistance or care and all matters pertaining thereto,\nincluding the causes thereof and advise measures for their relief, and\nalso for the relief of those in receipt of aid from private charity;\n (b) unemployment, poverty, economic distress and other problems of\nsocial welfare generally as may be useful in the discharge of its duties\nor contribute to the promotion of social and economic security;\n (c) the number of recipients of aid in, and the receipts and\nexpenditures of, each public welfare district;\n (d) dependency and local conditions relative thereto;\n (e) such other matters in respect to public and private charities as\nit may deem advisable;\nand shall publish such information as it deems of public concern and\nwhich may be of value in the performance of its duties.\n