Section 48. General functions, powers and duties of office of welfare inspector general

The office  of  welfare  inspector  general,  by  and
  through  the  welfare  inspector general, or his duly authorized deputy,
  director, assistant, officer  or  employee,  shall  have  the  following
  functions,   powers  and  duties  notwithstanding  section  one  hundred
  thirty-six of the social services law:
    1. To receive and investigate complaints from the public or any  other
  source concerning alleged abuses, suspected frauds, and other violations
  of  the  welfare  system  which  shall  be  deemed  to  include  medical
  assistance. As used in this article, the term "medical assistance" shall
  have the same meaning contained in section three hundred sixty-five-a of
  the social services law.
    2. To receive complaints  of  alleged  failures  to  prosecute  frauds
  against  the  welfare  system  which  shall be deemed to include medical
  assistance and to investigate the same.
    3. To receive complaints of alleged failures to  enforce  the  state's
  laws  regarding  the  employment  of  welfare  recipients  in  available
  employment, and to investigate the same.
    4. To receive complaints of alleged failures of  local  officials  and
  employees  to  comply  with state laws and regulations regarding welfare
  administration which shall be deemed to include medical assistance,  and
  to investigate the same.
    5. On the initiative of the office and at the direction of the welfare
  inspector  general,  to  conduct any investigation: of the operations of
  the  state  social  services  department  and  local   social   services
  districts, the state health department and local health departments, and
  the  state  department  of  mental  hygiene  and community mental health
  boards in order to  insure  proper  expenditure  of  welfare  funds;  of
  violations  of  the  welfare  system;  of  failure  to prosecute welfare
  frauds; of failure to enforce the state's laws regarding the  employment
  of  welfare  recipients  in  available  employment;  of failure of local
  officials and employees to comply with state law, rules, and regulations
  regarding welfare  administration  which  shall  be  deemed  to  include
  medical assistance, and other matters relating thereto.
    6.  To exercise and perform such other functions, powers and duties as
  may from time to time be conferred or imposed by law.
    7. To make an annual report to the governor, the comptroller  and  the
  legislature  concerning  its work during the preceding year, and to make
  such further interim reports to them as they or any of them  shall  deem
  advisable or require.
    8.  To  conduct  any inquiry pertinent or material to the discharge of
  the functions, powers and duties imposed by law; and through  designated
  members  of  the  staff,  to  subpoena witnesses, administer oaths, take
  testimony and compel the production of such books, papers,  records  and
  documents as may be relevant to any such inquiry and investigation.
    9.  To  do  all  things  necessary  or  convenient  to  carry  out the
  functions, powers and duties set forth in this article,  to  the  extent
  they conform with applicable federal requirements, if any.
    10.  To  make,  amend  or  repeal such rules and regulations as may be
  necessary  with  the  approval  of  the  state  comptroller,   for   the
  performance of the duties imposed hereunder.