N.Y. Mental Hygiene Law Section 9.03
Admission to a hospital

Unless otherwise specifically provided for by statute, a person with a mental illness shall be admitted to a hospital as an in-patient only pursuant to the provisions of this article, except that chemically dependent patients may be admitted to chemical dependence facilities operated by such hospitals under contract or agreement with the office of alcoholism and substance abuse services in accordance with the provisions of article 22 (Chemical Dependence Programs, Treatment Facilities, and Services)article twenty-two of this chapter. The section of the mental hygiene law under which a patient is admitted or under which any change of legal status is subsequently effected shall be stated in the patient’s record.

Source: Section 9.03 — Admission to a hospital, https://www.­nysenate.­gov/legislation/laws/MHY/9.­03 (updated Aug. 6, 2021; accessed Feb. 28, 2026).

9.01
Definitions 9.03
Admission to a hospital 9.05
Examining physicians, examining psychiatric nurse practitioners and medical certificates 9.07
Notice to all patients of their rights and of the availability of the mental hygiene legal service 9.09
Notices to mental hygiene legal service concerning minors 9.11
Patients’ records 9.13
Voluntary admissions 9.15
Informal admissions 9.17
Voluntary and informal admissions 9.19
Voluntary and informal admissions 9.21
Voluntary and informal admissions 9.23
Voluntary and informal admissions 9.25
Voluntary and informal admissions 9.27
Involuntary admission on medical certification 9.29
Involuntary admission on medical certification 9.31
Involuntary admission on medical certification 9.33
Court authorization to retain an involuntary patient 9.35
Review of court authorization to retain an involuntary patient 9.37
Involuntary admission on certificate of a director of community services or his designee 9.39
Emergency admissions for immediate observation, care, and treatment 9.40
Emergency observation, care and treatment in comprehensive psychiatric emergency programs 9.41
Emergency assessment for immediate observation, care, and treatment 9.43
Emergency assessment for immediate observation, care, and treatment 9.45
Emergency assessment for immediate observation, care, and treatment 9.46
Reports of substantial risk or threat of harm by mental health professionals 9.47
Duties of local officers in regard to their persons with a mental illness 9.48
Duties of directors of assisted outpatient treatment programs 9.49
Transfer of juvenile delinquents 9.51
Residential treatment facilities for children and youth 9.53
Children in the custody of social services officials or the division for youth 9.55
Emergency admissions for immediate observation, care and treatment 9.57
Emergency admissions for immediate observation, care and treatment 9.58
Transport for evaluation 9.59
Immunity from liability 9.60
Assisted outpatient treatment 9.63
Transportation of persons to or between hospitals 9.64
Notice of admission determination to community provider
Green check means up to date. Up to date

Verified:
Feb. 28, 2026

Last modified:
Aug. 6, 2021

§ 9.03. Admission to a hospital's source at nysenate​.gov

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