(a) The Justice Center for the Protection of People with Special Needs was established in response to the recognized need to strengthen and standardize the safety net for vulnerable persons who receive care from New York State’s human services agencies.

(b) The Justice Center is required to establish a process by which persons found to have a substantiated case of abuse or neglect may appeal such a finding. Pursuant to Social Services Law section 494(1)(a), such appeals process must include a process by which the subject of a substantiated report of abuse or neglect is notified of the right to appeal and the procedure by which he or she may challenge the determination that a report is substantiated, with a de novo standard of review.