Whenever it appears that a mentally ill veteran of any war, military occupation or expedition is eligible for treatment in a United States veterans' administration hospital or that a mentally ill seaman or other person is eligible for treatment in a United States public health service hospital and the official in charge of such hospital determines that such person is suitable for voluntary admission to such hospital or that an involuntary admission to such hospital is necessary for the proper care and treatment of such veteran, seaman, or other person, such official is authorized to admit and retain such veteran, seaman or other person, provided, however, such official shall comply with all applicable provisions of article nine of this chapter relating to admission and retention of patients. The officials in charge of such hospitals are also authorized to apply to the commissioner for approval to receive and retain such veterans, seamen or other eligible persons on an emergency basis, in accordance with the provisions of section 9.39 of this chapter. Such veteran, seaman, or other person, upon admission, shall be subject to the rules and regulations of such hospital to the extent that such rules and regulations do not conflict with the provisions of this section.
N.Y. Mental Hyg. Law § 79.29