Notice to all patients of their rights and of the availability of the mental hygiene legal service

§ 9.07 Notice to all patients of their rights and of the availability of the mental hygiene legal service.

(a) Immediately upon the admission of any patient to a hospital or upon his conversion to a different status, the director shall inform the patient in writing of his status, including the section of this chapter under which he is hospitalized, and of his rights under this article, including the availability of the mental hygiene legal service. At any time thereafter, upon the request of the patient or of anyone on the patient's behalf, the patient shall be permitted to communicate with the mental hygiene legal service and avail himself of the facilities thereof.

(b) The director of every hospital shall post copies of a notice, in a form and manner to be determined by the commissioner, at places throughout the hospital where such notice will be conspicuous and visible to all patients, stating the following:

1. the availability of the mental hygiene legal service.

2. a general statement of the rights of patients under the various admission or retention provisions of this article.

3. the right of the patient to communicate with the director, the board of visitors, the commissioner of mental health, and the mental hygiene legal service.