N.Y. Mental Hyg. Law § 15.17

§ 15.17 Voluntary admissions; notices.\n The director shall cause all residents admitted on their own\napplication as voluntary residents to be informed annually of their\nstatus and rights as voluntary residents, including their right to avail\nthemselves of the facilities of the mental hygiene legal service. At the\ntime of such periodic notification, the written consent of any such\nresident to his continued stay as a voluntary resident shall be obtained\nand a copy thereof shall be given to the mental hygiene legal service.\n