N.Y. Mental Hyg. Law § 19.23

§ 19.23 Education and training.\n (a) The commissioner shall have the power to establish such programs\nof training and education related to alcoholism, substance abuse, and\nchemical dependence as the commissioner shall deem desirable.\n (b) The commissioner may grant leaves of absence to employees of the\noffice for the purpose of receiving training and education for the\nbetter performance of their duties and, with the approval of the\ndirector of the budget, may continue the salaries of such employees, in\nfull or in part, in an amount not to exceed reimbursement for the loss\nof earnings while receiving such training.\n (c) The office shall encourage and provide, either alone or in\nconjunction with other public or private agencies including\nuniversities, medical schools, and colleges, education and training for\nmedical students, physicians, nurses, social workers, counselors, clinic\nor ward attendants, and others involved in public or private prevention\nand treatment programs for persons who abuse or are dependent on alcohol\nand/or substances and their families.\n (d) The office shall sponsor necessary conferences and professional\neducational programs relating to alcoholic, alcohol abusing, substance\nabusing, substance dependent, and chemically dependent persons and their\nfamilies.\n