N.Y. Soc. Serv. Law § 37

§ 37. Reports of and to department. The department may collect and,\nso far as it shall deem advantageous, embody in its annual reports\ninformation relating to the best manner of dealing with those who\nrequire assistance from public funds, or who receive aid from private\ncharity and represent its views as to the best methods of caring for\ndependent children and such other matters as the commissioner may deem\nadvisable.\n