New York Consolidated Laws, Mental Hygiene Law - MHY § 15.19 Voluntary admissions; encouragement of

(a) It shall be the duty of all state and local officers having duties to perform relating to persons with developmental disabilities to encourage any such person suitable therefor and in need of care and treatment for a developmental disability to apply for admission as a voluntary resident.

(b) No requirement shall be made, by rule, regulation, or otherwise as a condition to admission and retention on a voluntary status that any person applying for admission shall have the legal capacity to contract.

(c) A person requesting admission to a school, who is suitable for admission on a voluntary status, shall be admitted only on such a voluntary status.