(a) Prior to the appointment of any person as a local social services commissioner, or as an acting social services commissioner pursuant to section 65 of the Social Services Law, by the appropriate county or city body or officer, such body or officer shall submit a statement of his qualifications on form DSS-800, “Personal History Summary,” and a statement summarizing the conditions which necessitate the request and the efforts which have been made to find a person to fill the position of commissioner to the State Commissioner of Social Services for approval.

(b) Prior to the appointment of any person as a local social services deputy commissioner, the local commissioner shall submit a statement of his qualifications to the State Commissioner of Social Services for approval.