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New Jersey

Pass Gregory's Law: Improve New Jersey's Mental Health Treatment Law

Interested in SB 1093 & AB 2304? Read our fact sheet or get answers to common questions.

PRIMER ON IOC New Jersey's outdated mental illness treatment law makes it nearly impossible for mental health professionals and families to help severely mentally ill people who refuse treatment. New Jersey is one of only eight states (along with Connecticut, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Mexico, Nevada, and Tennessee) without AOT, which means that people who are in crisis end up on the streets or in jails instead of in treatment. New Jersey needs a more humane treatment law.

Recent News & Updates

Support for AOT TAC executive director Mary Zdanowicz’s recent op-ed in the Star Ledger has prompted a flurry of responses from families and advocates across New Jersey, echoing Mary’s calls for passage of AOT legislation in New Jersey.

STATE MUST OFFER MORE TREATMENT OPTIONS  TAC's executive director, Mary Zdanowicz writes an op-ed in the New Jersey Star-Ledger calling for more treatment options in New Jersey.

IOC PASSES SENATE  S1093 passed the Senate unanimously, with a vote of 38-0.  The push now moves to the

Assembly, where  the companion bill A2304 will be heard by the Assembly Human Services Committee.

NEW ASSEMBLY BILL Assemblyman John McKeon has introduced A2304, the Assembly companion bill to S1093.  IOC enjoys bipartisan support and is co-sponsored by Assemblyman Sean T. Kean.

IOC & THE HOSPITAL CRISIS Without IOC, New Jersey has been unable to address continually high census rates at state hospitals despite substantial investments in community resources.

NEW BILL NUMBER Senator Codey signaled his dedication to this issue by reintroducing IOC legislation for the 2006 session.  The new bill is S1093, which replaces last year's S2760, and is again sponsored by Senators Codey and Cardinale. 

Support

SUPPORT FOR IOC CONTINUES TO GROW The board of trustees of Greystone Park Psychiatric Hospital voted unanimously to support outpatient commitment legislation. In a letter to state Human Services Commissioner James Davy, the board wrote, “If the civil involuntary outpatient commitment process is successful it may benefit both consumers and state psychiatric hospitals by early intervention preventing involuntary inpatient commitments.”

NEW RESOLUTION The New Jersey State Association of Chiefs of Police (NJSACOP) adopted a new resolution supporting IOC as a way to bring needed care to individuals with the most severe mentally illnesses. The NJSACOP also recommended an amendment to allow for intervention before a response by law enforcement is required.

WHO SUPPORTS IOC? Involuntary outpatient commitment legislation, sponsored by Senators Cardinale and Codey, has broad support, including:

• The Governor's Task Force on Mental Health;

• Family members, consumers, and providers;

• NAMI New Jersey;

• The New Jersey State Association of Chiefs of Police; and

• The New Jersey Psychiatric Association.

TASK FORCE RECOMMENDS IOC The New Jersey Governor's Task Force on Mental Health recommended adopting Involuntary Outpatient Commitment (IOC). "The Task Force concluded that any comprehensive reform of a mental health system requires that the needs of the people with the most severe and persistent mental illnesses be addressed," said Task Force Chair Bob Davison."Our careful deliberations and extensive research led us to conclude that for those who are too ill to access mental health services, IOC strikes the appropriate balance of individual's well being and their constitutional liberties."

RESOLUTION The New Jersey Psychiatric Association, a professional organization of New Jersey physicians experienced in the treatment of mental illness, passed a resolution urging the legislature to enact AOT.

RESOLUTION Recognizing the significant role that law enforcement officers play in the lives and well being of individuals with a severe mental illness, the New Jersey State Association of Chiefs of Police recently passed a resolution supporting legislation to create assisted outpatient treatment.

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