N.Y. Soc. Serv. Law § 71

§ 71. Commitments. Commitments to a county home may be made by such\ntown and city public welfare officers as are authorized by the county\ncommissioner. All other commitments to hospitals or other institutions\nat the expense of the county public welfare district shall be made by\nthe county commissioner, or by such other official as may be authorized\npursuant to the provisions of this chapter.\n