N.Y. Correction Law § 22-a: Qualification for employment as a correction officer

§ 22-a. Qualification for employment as a correction officer. No

person, on or after the effective date of this section, may be appointed

to the position of a correction officer in any institution in the

department who has been convicted of a felony or of any offense in any

other jurisdiction which if committed in this state would constitute a

felony. The commissioner may in his discretion, bar the appointment of a

person, on or after the effective date of this section, to the position

of correction officer in any institution in the department, who has been

convicted of a misdemeanor or of any offense in any other jurisdiction

which if committed in this state would constitute a misdemeanor where he

has determined that the employment of such person is not in the best

interest of the department. Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of

this section, no person shall be disqualified pursuant to this section

unless he shall have first been furnished a written statement of the

reasons for such disqualification and afforded an opportunity by the

commissioner, or his designee, to make an explanation and to submit

facts in opposition thereto.