(a) Section 19.07(a) of the Mental Hygiene Law charges the Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services (OASAS or office) with assuring the development of comprehensive plans, programs and services for research, prevention, care, treatment, rehabilitation, education and training related to substance use disorder and compulsive gambling.

(b) Section 19.07(d) of the Mental Hygiene Law directs the office to foster programs for the training and development of persons capable of providing substance use disorder and gambling addiction services; to establish minimum qualifications for credentialed professionals; to issue credentials to persons who meet such qualifications; to suspend or revoke such credentials for good cause; and to establish a credentialing board to provide advice concerning the credentialing process.

(c) Section 19.20 of the Mental Hygiene Law authorizes the office to receive and review criminal history information from the Justice Center related to employees or volunteers of treatment facilities certified, licensed or operated by the office.

(d) Section 19.20-a of the Mental Hygiene Law authorizes the office to receive and review criminal history information from the Justice Center related to persons seeking to be credentialed by the office or applicants for an operating certificate issued by the office.

(e) Section 32.01 of the Mental Hygiene Law authorizes the commissioner of the office to adopt any regulation reasonably necessary to implement and effectively exercise the powers and perform the duties conferred by article 32 of the Mental Hygiene Law.

(f) Section 32.02 of the Mental Hygiene Law authorizes the commissioner of the office to adopt regulations necessary to ensure quality services to those suffering from problem gambling disorder.

(g) Section 554 of the Executive Law (chapter 501 of the Laws of 2012), requires custodians, as defined in Part 836 of this Title, in programs licensed, certified or operated by the office to adhere to the code of conduct for custodians developed by the Justice Center.

(h) The Protection of People with Special Needs Act (chapter 501 of the Laws of 2012) establishes the Justice Center and requires criminal history information reviews be conducted for applicants for any credential issued by the office pursuant to this Part.

(i) Section 495 of the Executive Law (chapter 501 of the Laws of 2012) establishes the Register of Substantiated Category One Cases of Abuse and Neglect maintained by the Justice Center.

(j) Article 23-A of the Corrections Law is applicable to any application for a credential by a person who has previously been convicted of one or more criminal offenses in New York or in any other jurisdiction.

(k) Sections 308-a and 308-b of the Military Law provide for the preservation and extension of professional licenses held by persons in active military service.