N.Y. Mental Hygiene Law § 9.17: Voluntary and informal admissions; suitability

§ 9.17 Voluntary and informal admissions; suitability.

(a) In order for a person to be suitable for admission to a hospital

as a voluntary or informal patient, or for conversion to such status he

must be notified of and have the ability to understand the following:

1. that the hospital to which he is requesting admission is a hospital

for the mentally ill.

2. that he is making an application for admission.

3. the nature of the voluntary or informal status, as the case may be

and the provisions governing release or conversion to involuntary

status.

(b) The department shall have the power to examine the patients

admitted pursuant to this section and determine if they belong to the

voluntary or informal class. If it be determined that any such patient

does not belong to the voluntary or informal class, the department shall

determine whether the patient shall be discharged or whether procedures

shall be commenced for the admission of such patient to a hospital

pursuant to other sections of this article. The decision of the

department shall be forthwith complied with by the director or person in

charge of any such hospital. Any failure to conform to the requirements

of this section shall be considered a sufficient cause for revocation of

an operating certificate theretofore issued to a hospital.