N.Y. Executive Law § 259-b: State board of parole; organization

§ 259-b. State board of parole; organization. 1. There shall be in the

department a state board of parole which shall possess the powers and

duties hereinafter specified. The board shall function independently of

the department regarding all of its decision-making functions, as well

as any other powers and duties specified in this article, provided,

however, that administrative matters of general applicability within the

department shall be applicable to the board. Such board shall consist of

not more than nineteen members appointed by the governor with the advice

and consent of the senate. The term of office of each member of such

board shall be for six years; provided, however, that any member chosen

to fill a vacancy occurring otherwise than by expiration of term shall

be appointed for the remainder of the unexpired term of the member whom

he is to succeed. In the event of the inability to act of any member,

the governor may appoint some competent informed person to act in his

stead during the continuance of such disability.

2. Each member of the board shall either (a) have been awarded a

degree from an accredited four-year college or university or a graduate

degree from such college or university or accredited graduate school and

shall have had at least five years of experience in one or more of the

fields of criminology, administration of criminal justice, law

enforcement, sociology, law, social work, corrections, psychology,

psychiatry or medicine; or (b) have at least ten years of experience in

one or more of the fields of criminology, administration of criminal

justice, law enforcement, sociology, law, social work, corrections,

psychology, psychiatry or medicine.

3. The governor shall designate one of the members of the board as

chairman to serve in such capacity at the pleasure of the governor or

until the member's term of office expires and a successor is designated

in accordance with law, whichever first occurs. The chairman shall be

responsible for the administrative functions and daily operations of the

parole board and its staff, except as otherwise provided by law.

4. The members of the board shall not hold any other public office;

nor shall they, at any time of their appointment nor during their

incumbency, serve as a representative of any political party on an

executive committee or other governing body thereof, nor as an executive

officer or employee of any political committee, organization or

association.

5. Each member of the board shall receive for his services an annual

salary to be fixed by the governor within the amount appropriated

therefor. Each member of such board shall also receive his necessary

expenses actually incurred in the discharge of his duties.

6. Any member of the board may be removed by the governor for cause

after an opportunity to be heard.

7. Except as otherwise provided by law, a majority of the board shall

constitute a quorum for the transaction of all business of the board.

8. Members of the board shall devote their full time to their duties

and shall hold no other salaried public position.