New York Codes, Rules and Regulations
Title 18 - DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES
Chapter II - Regulations of the Department of Social Services
Subchapter C - Social Services
Article 2 - Family and Children's Services
Part 434 - Child Protective Services Administrative Hearing Procedure
Section 434.7 - Persons who may be present at a hearing; authorization of representative

(a) The parties to a hearing, their attorneys or representatives, their witnesses and any witness called by the hearing officer may be present at the hearing. Other persons may be admitted upon the hearing officer's discretion. Upon the hearing officer's motion, or upon the motion of either party, potential witnesses may be excluded from the hearing during the testimony of other witnesses.

(b) An individual representing the appellant must have a written authorization signed by the appellant if the appellant is not present.