Section 35. Maintenance of records

1. The department is authorized and
  empowered to use optical disc technology to record and  maintain  public
  records,  papers,  documents  or matters required by law to be recorded.
  Such  records  shall  be  capable  of  being  copied,  photographed,  or
  microphotographed  by a process which accurately reproduces the original
  thereof in all details.
    2. The copies thereof shall be deemed to be an original record for all
  purposes,  including  introduction  in  evidence  in   all   courts   or
  administrative agencies. A transcript, exemplification or certified copy
  thereof  shall,  for  all  purposes  recited  herein,  be deemed to be a
  transcript, exemplification, or certified copy of the original.
    3. The department shall have the power to dispose of  or  destroy  its
  records,  subject  only  to receiving the consent of the commissioner of
  education as may be required by article  fifty-seven  of  the  arts  and
  cultural affairs law.