[HISTORY: Adopted by the Rockland County Legislature 10-19-1970 by L.L. No. 5-1970; amended in its entirety 9-6-2023 by L.L. No. 5-2023. Subsequent amendments noted where applicable.]
There is hereby established an Office of Consumer Protection in Rockland County.
[Amended 8-5-2020 by L.L. No. 4-2020]
The Sealer of Weights and Measures[1] shall be the Director of Consumer Protection and Public Advocate. In addition to those powers and duties conferred upon Sealers of Weights and Measures by the laws of this state, he shall have the powers and duties prescribed by this chapter and such other and related duties, including but not limited to matters for the protection of consumers as may be prescribed by local law.
[1]
Editor's Note: The Sealer of Weights and Measures is now referred to as the Director of Weights and Measures.
The Office of Consumer Protection, through the Sealer of Weights and Measures and subject to appropriations made therefor by the Legislature of Rockland County, shall have the power to:
A. 
Receive and investigate complaints and initiate his own investigation of fraud or unfair dealings against consumers.
B. 
Represent the interest of consumers before administrative and regulatory agencies and legislative groups.
C. 
Assist, advise and cooperate with local, state and federal agencies and officials to protect and promote the interests of the Rockland County consumer public.
D. 
Conduct investigations, research, studies and analyses of matters affecting the interests of Rockland County consumers.
E. 
Study the operation of state and local laws for consumer protection and to recommend amendments of such laws for the protection of consumers.
F. 
Report to the appropriate law enforcement agencies any information concerning violations of any consumer protection laws.
G. 
Assist, develop and conduct programs of consumer education and information through publications and other informational and educational material prepared for dissemination to the consumer public of Rockland County in order to increase the competence of consumers and to raise the general standard of living.
H. 
Undertake activities to encourage local business and industry to maintain high standards of honesty, fair business practices, and public responsibility in the production, promotion and sale of consumer goods and services.
I. 
Cooperate with other agencies, public and private, in the development of standards and quality grades for consumer goods and services.
J. 
Exercise and perform such other functions, powers and duties as may be deemed necessary or appropriate to protect and promote the welfare of Rockland County consumers.
K. 
Report monthly to the Legislature of Rockland County, in writing, the activities and recommendations of the Office.
[Amended 7-20-1976 by L.L. No. 6-1976; 1-18-1977 by L.L. No. 1-1977, 10-2-1984 by L.L. No. 13-1984]
A. 
There is hereby created an Advisory Committee on Consumer Affairs, consisting of 15 representatives who shall reflect a cross section of consumer and business interests, to be appointed by the Legislature of Rockland County. The members of the Advisory Committee shall be selected and constituted on the following basis:
(1) 
Four members shall be appointed from the Town of Ramapo.
(2) 
Four members shall be appointed from the Town of Clarkstown.
(3) 
Three members shall be appointed from the Town of Orangetown.
(4) 
Two members shall be appointed from the Town of Haverstraw.
(5) 
Two members shall be appointed from the Town of Stony Point.
B. 
All members shall serve at the pleasure of the Legislature, whether his date of appointment was prior or subsequent to the date of this enactment. One member shall be designated by the Legislature as Chairman. Members shall serve without compensation but shall be reimbursed for their expenses actually and necessarily incurred by them in the performance of their duties. The Committee shall assist and advise the Director[1] in his duties and functions under this chapter.
[1]
Editor's Note: The "Director" refers to the Director of Weights and Measures, previously referred to as the Sealer of Weights and Measures.
A. 
There is hereby created a Division of Livery Regulation in the Office of Consumer Protection.
B. 
Within the division there is hereby created a Rockland County Livery Board consisting of seven members, hereinafter referred to as the "Board."
(1) 
The members of the Board shall be residents of Rockland County or shall have their principal place of business in Rockland County.
(2) 
The Director of the Office of Consumer Protection will appoint one member of the Board from among the employees of the Office of Consumer Protection. The Director's appointment may be the Director. A member who is the Director or a Director's designee will not be required to be confirmed by the County Legislature.
(3) 
The remaining members shall be as follows:
(a) 
Three members engaged in the prearranged for-hire vehicle as a driver, base station owner or operator; and
(b) 
Three members from the public at large. Public at large members are residents of Rockland County who do not qualify for Board membership under any other class of membership.
(c) 
One nonvoting member who is the Sheriff or the Sheriff's designee, with any designee to be selected from the Office of the Sheriff or a local police department, to act as a liaison with the law enforcement agencies of the county.
C. 
Each member, other than the Director or the Director's designee, will be appointed by the County Executive, subject to confirmation by the County Legislature.
D. 
No member may be compensated solely for service on the Board.
E. 
The Director, or Director's designee, is the Chairperson of the Board. The Board must annually select a Vice Chairperson from its own members. Should the membership fail to appoint a Vice Chairperson prior to February 1 of any given year, the Director may appoint a Vice Chairperson from among the members of the Board. The Director's selection for Vice Chairperson will be replaced by a selection of the Board at any time the Board makes its selection.
F. 
At any time that there are not sufficient members appointed to the Board to form a quorum, the Director shall exercise and be vested with all powers and duties of the Board.
G. 
The Director of Consumer Protection must assign or appoint one or more employees of the Office of Consumer Protection to act as secretary of the Board, which employees will be responsible to:
(1) 
Make and keep the records and minutes of the Board;
(2) 
Conduct the correspondence of the Board;
(3) 
Publish notices for the Board; and
(4) 
Undertake such other clerical duties as the Board may require.
A. 
The Board has the following powers and duties in addition to those prescribed by any other law or regulation:
(1) 
Annually report, on March 1, to the County Legislature and the County Executive on the activities of the Board;
(2) 
Advise the County Legislature and County Executive concerning matters related to the for-hire vehicle industry; and
(3) 
Perform such other related powers and duties as may be authorized by law or as may be required by the County Executive or County Legislature and which are within the powers of the Board granted by law.
B. 
The Chairperson has the sole power to:
(1) 
Call meetings of the Board;
(2) 
Set the agenda of the Board;
(3) 
Ensure a quorum of members is present for meetings of the Board; and
(4) 
Create and assign members to such subcommittees of the Board as needed to accomplish the duties of the Board.
C. 
The Vice Chairman shall have the powers and duties of the Chairperson to exercise in the event of a vacancy in the position or when the Director is not available.