ALBANY — State legislative leaders said yesterday they expect to create a new agency this session to investigate and prosecute cases of abuse and neglect against the developmentally disabled.

Gov. Cuomo proposed a 400-employee Justice Center for the Protection of People with Special Needs, which would work with local district attorneys and focus on facilities and programs operated, certified or licensed by the state.

Noting more than 10,000 allegations of abuse last year, Cuomo proposed barring from the state system any employees who have committed serious acts of abuse, and establishing a round-the-clock hotline.

Michael Carey, an advocate for the disabled, said independent law-enforcement agencies, rather than the state, should investigate and prosecute where possible to avoid conflicts of interest.