(a) Notwithstanding the provisions of section 32.13 of this article, with respect to a provider of services as defined in section 1.03 of this chapter that is a general hospital, as defined in article twenty-eight of the public health law, which provides services for persons with mental disabilities pursuant to an operating certificate issued by the commissioner, the requirements of section 32.13 of this article may be deemed to be met if such hospital has been accredited by The Joint Commission, or any other accrediting organization to which the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services has granted deeming status, and which the commissioner shall have determined has accrediting standards sufficient to assure the commissioner that such hospital so accredited is in compliance with the provisions of this chapter and applicable laws, rules and regulations in regard to services provided at such hospital. Such accreditation shall have the same legal effect as a determination by the commissioner under section 32.13 of this article that the provider of services is in compliance with such provisions. The commissioner may exempt any such provider of services from the annual inspection and visitation requirements established in section 32.13 of this article, provided that: 1. such provider of services has a history of compliance with such provisions of law, rules and regulations and a record of providing good quality care, as determined by the commissioner; 2. a copy of the survey report and the certificate of accreditation of The Joint Commission or other approved accrediting organization is submitted by the accrediting body or the provider of services to the commissioner, within seven days of issuance to such provider of services; 3. The Joint Commission or other approved accrediting organization has agreed to and does evaluate, as part of its accreditation survey, any minimal operational standards established by the commissioner which are in addition to the minimal operational standards of accreditation of The Joint Commission or other accrediting organization; and 4. there are no constraints placed upon access by the commissioner to The Joint Commission or other approved accrediting organization survey reports, plans of correction, interim self-evaluation reports, notices of noncompliance, progress reports on correction of areas of noncompliance, or any other related reports, information, communications or materials regarding such provider of services.

(b) Any provider of services governed by the provisions of subdivision (a) of this section shall at all times be subject to inspection or visitation by the commissioner to determine compliance with applicable law, regulations, standards or conditions as deemed necessary by the commissioner. Any such provider of services shall be subject to the full range of certification enforcement authority of the commissioner.

(c) Any provider of services governed by the provisions of subdivision (a) of this section shall notify the commissioner immediately upon receipt of notice by The Joint Commission or other approved accrediting organization, or any communication the provider of services may receive that such organization will be recommending that such provider of services not be accredited, not have its accreditation renewed, or have its accreditation terminated, or upon receipt of notice or other communication from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services regarding a determination that the provider of services will be terminated from participation in the Medicare or Medicaid program because it is not in compliance with one or more conditions of participation in such program, or has deficiencies that either individually or in combination jeopardize the health and safety of patients or are of such character as to seriously limit the provider's capacity to render adequate care.