N.Y. Comp. Codes R. & Regs. tit. 8 § 83.5

Current through Register Vol. 46, No. 51, December 18, 2024

Section 83.5 - Appeal

Within 30 days after receipt of notification of the findings and recommendations of the hearing officer or hearing panel, the certified individual or applicant may commence an appeal to the commissioner pursuant to subdivision (a) of this section or, where applicable, the commissioner may initiate a review proceeding pursuant to subdivision (b) of this section.

(a) Appeal by certified individual or applicant. The certified individual or applicant may commence an appeal of the findings and recommendations of the hearing officer by filing the original appeal papers with the commissioner, with proof of service by regular mail upon the executive director of the Office of Teaching Initiatives. The executive director of the Office of Teaching Initiatives may file a written response with the commissioner within 30 days of being served with such appeal papers, with proof of service by regular mail on the certified individual or applicant or the attorney of record of such certified individual or applicant.

(b) Review proceeding by commissioner.

(1) In cases involving convictions for any of the following acts constituting a crime in New York State, the commissioner may initiate review of the findings and recommendations of the hearing officer or hearing panel to determine whether such findings and recommendations should be adopted as the final determination of the commissioner:

(i) the criminal sale, possession or use of marijuana, a controlled substance, a precursor of a controlled substance or drug paraphernalia as defined in article 220 or 221 of the Penal Law;

(ii) any crime involving physical or sexual abuse of a minor or student;

(iii) any crime committed either on school property or while in the performance of teaching duties; or

(iv) any crime committed involving the submission of false information, or the commission of fraud, related to a criminal history record check.

(2) Such review shall be commenced by service of a notice of intent to review on the certified individual or applicant or the attorney of record of the certified individual or applicant, by certified mail, return receipt requested. The certified individual or applicant may file a written response with the commissioner within 30 days of being served with such notice, with proof of service by regular mail on the executive director of the Office of Teaching Initiatives. The executive director of the Office of Teaching Initiatives may file a written response with the commissioner within 30 days of service of such notice, with proof of service by regular mail on the certified individual or applicant. In the event the certified individual or applicant files an appeal on or after the date the commissioner initiates review under this subdivision, the appeal shall be automatically consolidated with the review proceeding and the appeal papers shall constitute the written response of the certified individual or applicant under this subdivision.

(c) The commissioner shall review any appeal papers, or written responses filed, and the transcript and all evidence presented in the proceeding before the hearing officer or hearing panel. Based upon the record, the commissioner may affirm, adopt, reverse, or modify the findings and recommendations of the hearing officer or the hearing panel. If the commissioner determines to deny an application for certification, the commissioner shall communicate that decision to the applicant. If the commissioner determines to revoke or suspend a certificate, or to impose another penalty upon the certified individual as prescribed in section 83.6 of this Part, the commissioner shall execute an order to that effect and shall have the order served upon the certified individual. If no appeal is taken by a certified individual or applicant within the time prescribed in this section, and no review proceeding has been commenced by the commissioner, the conclusion of the hearing officer or the hearing panel shall be final and in the case of an annulment or suspension of a certificate or the imposition of another penalty upon the certified individual as prescribed in section 83.6 of this Part, the commissioner shall issue an order to that effect.

(d) Notwithstanding any provision of this section to the contrary, the Commissioner may excuse late filings for any timeline prescribed in this section where such late filings are due to the COVID-19 crisis.

N.Y. Comp. Codes R. & Regs. Tit. 8 § 83.5

Amended New York State Register February 24, 2021/Volume XLIII, Issue 08, eff. 2/24/2021

Amended New York State Register November 3, 2021/Volume XLIII, Issue 44, eff. 11/3/2021