§ 622. Rules governing hearings and appeals. 1. Rules and regulations. The manner in which disputes and appeals shall be presented before referees and the appeal board, respectively, and the conduct of hearings before referees and the board shall be governed by suitable rules and regulations established by the board.

2. Evidence and procedure. At any hearing held as herein provided, evidence may be offered to support a determination, rule, or order or to prove that it is incorrect. The appeal board and the referees, in hearings and appeals under any provision of this article, shall not be bound by common law or statutory rules of evidence or by technical or formal rules of procedure but may conduct the hearings and appeals in such manner as to ascertain the substantial rights of the parties. Hearings governed by this article may be closed and hearing transcripts may be redacted in accordance with applicable federal or state statutory and regulatory requirements governing information confidentiality and personal privacy, including, but not limited to, article six and article six-A of the public officers law.