New York Consolidated Laws, Correction Law - COR § 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.