N.Y. Comp. Codes R. & Regs. tit. 14 § 15.7 - Requesting court authorization to retain a voluntary patient

In the event that someone who admitted himself into a mental health facility requests to be released the director of the facility believes that the patient may be in need of involuntary care and treatment, the director is allowed to retain the patient for 72 hours.  In this 72-hour period, the director is required to get the patient examined by two physicians who are then required to report their findings and conclusions to the director separately.  Based upon these findings, the director is then required to either release the patient or apply to the court seeking to involuntarily retain the patient and submit the reports of the physicians as part of the application.