The director shall cause all residents admitted on their own application as voluntary residents to be informed annually of their status and rights as voluntary residents, including their right to avail themselves of the facilities of the mental hygiene legal service. At the time of such periodic notification, the written consent of any such resident to his continued stay as a voluntary resident shall be obtained and a copy thereof shall be given to the mental hygiene legal service.
N.Y. Mental Hyg. Law § 15.17