(a)  subject  to  such  rules  and  the  statutory   powers   of   the
commissioner,  take  care of the general interest of the institution and
see that its objective is carried into effect;
  (b) maintain an effective inspection of  the  institution,  for  which
purpose the board, or a majority of its members, shall visit and inspect
the institution at least once every three months;
  (c)  keep  in a book provided for that purpose, a fair and full record
of its activities, which shall be open at all times  to  the  inspection
and  examination  of  the  governor  or  of  any person appointed by the
governor or by either house of the legislature, or to  the  commissioner
or his authorized representatives;
  (d)  enter  in  a  book, kept at the institution for that purpose, the
date of each visit of each visitor;
  (e) investigate, hear and ascertain the  truth  of  all  charges  made
against  the  director  or other officer or employee of the institution,
issue subpoenas, take and hear testimony in respect to such charges  and
make  its  recommendations  thereon to the authority having the power to
discharge or remove. A witness attending  before  such  board  shall  be
entitled  to  the  same  fees  as  a witness attending before a court of
record or a judge thereof, which shall be paid  as  other  institutional
charges.
Structure New York Laws
Article 4 - Property and Hospitals in the Department of Health
Title 2 - Hospitals: Boards of Visitors
420 - Boards of Visitors; Appointment.
421 - Boards of Visitors; Officers; Meetings.
422 - Boards of Visitors; Compensation and Expenses of Members.
423 - Boards of Visitors; General Powers and Duties.
424 - Boards of Visitors; Access to Hospital; Books, Records and Accounts.
425 - Boards of Visitors; Reports to Commissioner and Governor.