Opinion
December 18, 1997
On June 26, 1990, a report that petitioner had employed inappropriate behavior management techniques in subduing a 12-year-old patient at St. Lawrence Psychiatric Center in St. Lawrence County was filed with the State Central Register of Child Abuse and Maltreatment (see, Social Services Law § 422 [a]). Following notification that the report had been marked indicated, petitioner requested that it be expunged (see, Social Services Law § 422 [a] [i]). At the conclusion of a predeprivation hearing conducted pursuant to Social Services Law § 422 (8) (b), the Administrative Law Judge denied expunction, finding that there was "some credible evidence" that petitioner had used an unauthorized and dangerous restraint. This CPLR article 78 proceeding ensued.
When we review an administrative determination we are limited to the grounds invoked by the agency and may not substitute what we consider a more adequate or proper basis (see, Matter of Scherbyn v. Wayne-Finger Lakes Bd. of Coop. Educ. Servs., 77 N.Y.2d 753, 758; Matter of Trump-Equitable Fifth Ave. Co. v. Gliedman, 57 N.Y.2d 588, 593). Therefore, as it is now firmly established that the standard of proof applicable at the subject predeprivation hearing is "by a fair preponderance of the evidence" (Matter of Lee TT. v. Dowling, 87 N.Y.2d 699, 712), we must annul the challenged determination and remit this matter to respondent Commissioner of Social Services for a new determination on the original record using the appropriate standard of proof (see, Matter of Nils TT. v. New York State Dept. of Social Servs., 221 A.D.2d 874, lv denied 87 N.Y.2d 812; Matter of Robert OO. v. Dowling, 217 A.D.2d 785, affd 87 N.Y.2d 1043).
Mikoll, J. P., Crew III, Peters and Carpinello, JJ., concur.
Adjudged that the determination is annulled, with costs, and matter remitted to respondents for further proceedings not inconsistent with this Court's decision.