[Added 11-20-2012 by L.L. No. 2-2013[1]]
[1]
Editor's Note: This local law also repealed former Art. XXXI,
Department of Consumer Affairs, added 12-2-2008 by L.L. No. 50-2008.
As used in this article, the following terms shall have the
meanings indicated:
The head of the Department.
The Suffolk County Department of Labor, Licensing and Consumer
Affairs.
A.
There shall be a Department of Labor, Licensing and Consumer Affairs,
the head of which shall be the Commissioner of the Department of Labor,
Licensing and Consumer Affairs. He or she shall be appointed by the
County Executive, subject to approval of the County Legislature, and
shall serve at the pleasure of the County Executive. The Commissioner
may, within the appropriation provided, appoint and remove a Chief
Deputy Commissioner and Deputy Commissioner(s), who shall act generally
for and on behalf of the Commissioner in all matters, and all other
officers and employees as may be likewise provided. The Commissioner
may employ such special consultants as may be necessary; however,
the contracts with the special consultants shall be subject to County
Executive approval. The Commissioner shall be deemed the appointing
authority for all employees within the Department.
B.
The Commissioner may also be designated as the Director of Weights
and Measures, appointed in accordance with, and having all the powers
and duties set forth in, the Agriculture and Markets Law of New York.
No additional compensation shall be extended to the Commissioner holding
this position.
Except as otherwise provided in the Charter or by local law,
the Department of Labor, Licensing and Consumer Affairs shall have
the following powers, duties and responsibilities:
A.
Develop and administer industry and labor apprenticeship training
programs and retraining programs for, among others, Suffolk County's
unemployed residents, Suffolk County veterans, and Suffolk County's
disabled and dislocated worker populations.
B.
Manage the Suffolk Works Employment Program, the County's Welfare
Employment Program operated in accordance with the Temporary Assistance
for Needy Families as established in the federal Personal Responsibility
and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996.
C.
Coordinate the operations of the Suffolk County Workforce Investment
Board, created pursuant to the Workforce Investment Act of 1998, the
mission of which is to meet the needs of job seekers and employers
and to support economic growth in Suffolk County.
D.
Provide labor mediation by attempting to arrange for, hold, adjourn
or reconvene a voluntary conference or conferences between disputants
and their representatives in the event that there is within the County
an existing imminent or threatened labor dispute, all with a view
toward facilitating the settlement of such labor dispute.
E.
Ensure compliance with the Suffolk County Lawful Hiring Law, the
Fair Business Practice Law, and all other Suffolk County consumer
protection laws.
F.
Receive and investigate complaints and to initiate investigations
of unfair or deceptive practices against consumers.
G.
Hold hearings, subpoena witnesses, administer oaths, take the testimony
of any person under oath and, in connection therewith, compel the
production of any evidence relating to any matter under investigation
by the Department; provided, however, that the Commissioner shall
obtain the written consent of the County Executive or the County Attorney
before issuing a subpoena or subpoena duces tecum. At any hearing,
a witness shall have the right to have present and be advised by counsel
during the conduct of such hearing.
H.
Initiate and encourage consumer education programs and prepare and
disseminate, through publication or otherwise, consumer educational
and informational materials to the consumers of Suffolk County.
I.
Represent the interests of consumers before federal, state and local
administrative and regulatory agencies and legislative bodies.
J.
Study the operation of federal, state and local laws for consumer
protection and recommend amendments of such laws, where needed, for
the protection of the consumer.
K.
Undertake activities to encourage businesses and industries in the
County to maintain high standards of honesty, business practices and
business responsibilities in the manufacture, distribution and sale
of consumer goods and services.
L.
Establish facilities for the voluntary mediation of consumer disputes
arising out of transactions which take place in the County.
M.
Initiate and conduct investigations, research, studies and analysis
of matters affecting the interests of the consumers of Suffolk County.
N.
Report to the appropriate law enforcement agency information with
respect to the violation of any federal, state or local consumer protection
law.
O.
Cooperate and assist any agency, public or private, in the development
of standards of quality for consumer goods and services.
P.
Assist, advise and cooperate with local, state and federal agencies
to protect and promote the interests of the consumers of Suffolk County.
Q.
Render each year to the County Executive and to each member of the
County Legislature a written report of the activities, investigations,
complaints and recommendations of the Department.
R.
Collect and compile such statistical information and other data,
with regard to labor generally within the County of Suffolk, as shall
provide a central source of accurate and timely labor information.
S.
Perform such other responsibilities and duties as may be assigned
by the County Executive or the County Legislature.
T.
Issue and promulgate such rules and regulations as it may deem necessary
and appropriate for monitoring the operations of contractors and subcontractors
of Suffolk County and ensuring compliance with County local laws.
