ALBANY, N.Y. — New York lawmakers on Tuesday began the task of selecting the state’s next attorney general, hours after two-term Democrat Eric Schneiderman’s stunning downfall amid allegations that he physically abused four women.

Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie said after a closed-door meeting with fellow Democrats who control the chamber that they discussed the protocols of appointing a successor to Schneiderman, but haven’t talked about specific candidates.

The state’s solicitor general, Barbara Underwood, is serving as acting attorney general until the Legislature appoints a successor to fill out the last eight months of Schneiderman’s second four-year term.

Heastie said the law states that when a vacancy happens during the legislative session, “the Legislature shall act.” The replacement will be chosen with a joint vote by the Senate and Assembly.

But exactly when that happens remained up in the air, with Heastie saying he would talk to Senate Leader John Flanagan, a Long Island Republican, about the next step.

“I think it should be a deliberate process,” Democratic Gov. Andrew Cuomo said after an event at the new Gov. Mario M. Cuomo Bridge, named after his late father. “This is a very important position and this is a highly charged situation.”

Since Democrats hold the overall majority of the 213 total seats, the temporary replacement likely will be a Democrat.

Schneiderman’s permanent replacement will be chosen in a November election. The state Democratic convention is in two weeks on Long Island, followed by the primary Sept. 13.

Schneiderman announced late Monday night that he was resigning. His resignation went into effect 5 p.m. Tuesday.

The announcement came just a few hours after The New Yorker posted an article in which four women accused Schneiderman of physical abuse carried out while they were dating.

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