New York Consolidated Laws, Public Health Law - PBH § 2805-r. Patients unable to verbally communicate

1. The department shall make regulations concerning the treatment of general hospital patients who are unable to verbally communicate, for whatever reason, with a health care practitioner or aide.

2. Such regulations shall establish standards for a patient to have present during his or her period of admission a parent, guardian, representative or authorized helper to assist in the communication with health care personnel.

3. The standards established under this section shall be incorporated into the statement of rights and responsibilities adopted pursuant to paragraph (g) of subdivision one of section twenty-eight hundred three of this article.