(a) Notwithstanding any other provision of law including but not
limited to the election law, no person's rights as a citizen of the
United States or of the state of New York shall be forfeited or abridged
because of such person's participation in chemical dependence programs,
treatment facilities or services. Such participation shall include but
is not limited to the certification as substance dependent of a person
to the care and custody of the office under previously existing
provisions of law. The fact, proceedings, application, or treatment
relating to a person's participation in chemical dependence programs,
treatment facilities, or services shall not be used against such person
in any action or proceeding in any court.
(b) Immediately upon the admission of any patient to a chemical
dependence program, service, or treatment facility, the director of such
program, service, or facility, or his or her designee, shall inform the
patient in writing of his or her status, including the section of this
chapter under which he or she is admitted, and of his or her rights
under this article.
(c) The director of every chemical dependence program, service, or
treatment facility shall post copies of a notice in a form and manner to
be determined by the commissioner, at places throughout the facility or
program where such notice shall be conspicuous and visible to all
patients, stating the following:
1. a general statement of the rights of patients under the various
admission or retention provisions of this article; and
2. the right of the patient to communicate with the director, the
board of visitors, if any, and the commissioner.