S2760 the bill that would authorize involuntary outpatient
commitment in New Jersey is scheduled to be heard in the
Senate Health, Human Services and Seniors Committee on Monday,
September 26 at 2PM. The hearing will take place in committee
room one, first floor of the state house annex (directions
below).
Advocates have long called for legislation that would allow
for treatment of persons with a mental illness who are so
ill that they cannot or will not seek treatment voluntarily.
New Jersey’s current law has been so narrowly applied
that many people become homeless, incarcerated or harmed
before they ever receive needed mental health treatment.
This bill, S2760, states that it is the policy of New Jersey
to ensure that appropriate outpatient treatment services
are readily available to all persons with a mental illness.
It amends the State’s civil commitment laws to allow
for involuntary commitment to outpatient treatment of persons
whose mental illness causes the person to be dangerous to
self or others or property in the reasonably foreseeable
future and who is unwilling to accept appropriate treatment
voluntarily after it has been offered, and who needs outpatient
treatment or inpatient care to meet the person’s mental
health care needs. The bill also clarifies that the determination
of dangerousness includes, but is not limited to the person’s
history of mental illness, mental health treatment and response
to that treatment, and the relationship of that person’s
current condition and such history.
ACTION NEEDED
Advocates are urged to attend the hearing to show your
support for changing New Jersey’s law to allow persons
with a mental illness to receive needed treatment before
they descend into the depths of illness. The Committee will
be hearing testimony from the public. There is no greater
testimony to the need for such a law than the stories of
family members and consumers who will benefit from S2760.
Come to Trenton and tell your story like the many family
members who testified before the Governor’s Task Force
ON Mental Health. If you don’t want to testify, show
your support by filling the hearing room. Numbers Count!
Contact the members of the Senate Health, Human Services
and Seniors Committee (list below) and let them know how
important this legislation is to you and what it will mean
to your family. The real life stories of NAMI advocates
are the most powerful testimonial to the need for this law,
but if you prefer here are talking points.
S2760 is supported by NAMI NEW JERSEY, Acting Governor
Codey, The Governor’s Task Force on Mental Health and
the New Jersey Psychiatric Association.
There are a small group of individuals who are so disabled
by a mental illness that they vehemently deny or are unaware
that they have a mental illness. These individuals disproportionately
become homeless, incarcerated, exploited or harmed.
New Jersey is one of only 8 states that have a provision
for commitment to outpatient treatment.
S2760 builds on and clarifies New Jersey’s current
commitment standard and offers an alternative to more restrictive
inpatient commitment.
S2760 is supported by NAMI NEW JERSEY, Acting Governor Codey,
The Governor’s Task Force on Mental Health and the
New Jersey Psychiatric Association.
This year New Jersey has allocated $40 million in new funding
to enhance voluntary mental health services along with establishing
a $200 million housing trust fund. We need help now for
those who are in desperate need and who cannot or will not
access services on a voluntary basis.
WE CAN NO LONGER TURN OUR BACK ON THOSE WHO ARE TOO ILL
TO CARE FOR THEMSELVES!
CONTACT THE COMMITTEE MEMBERS:
Senator Joseph F. Vitale (D) Chair
87 Main St.
Woodbridge, NJ 07095
(732) 855-7441
senvitale@njleg.org
Senator Ellen Karcher (D)Vice Chair
400 West Main St.
3rd Floor
Freehold, NJ 07728
(732) 462-8883
senkarcher@njleg.org
Senator Diane B. Allen (R)
11 West Broad St.
Burlington, NJ 08016
(609) 239-2800
senallen@njleg.org
Senator Barbara Buono (D)
100 Plainfield Ave.
Suite 1
Edison, NJ 08817
(732) 819-8141
senbuono@njleg.org
Senator Thomas H. Kean Jr. (R)
203 Elm St.
1st Floor
Westfield, NJ 07090
(908) 232-3673
senkean@njleg.org
57 Union Place
Suite 310
Summit, NJ 07901
(908) 918-0414
Senator Fred H. Madden Jr. (D)
129 Johnson Rd.
Suite 1
Turnersville, NJ 08012
(856) 232-6700
senmadden@njleg.org
18 Somerdale Rd.
Blackwood, NJ 08012
(856) 227-5900
Senator Ronald L. Rice (D)
DISTRICT OFFICE ADDRESS: 1044 South Orange Ave.
Newark, NJ 07106
(973) 371-5665
senrice@njleg.org
Senator Robert W. Singer (R)
2110 West County Line Rd.
Jackson, NJ 08527
(732) 901-0702
sensinger@njleg.org
DIRECTIONS TO THE STATE HOUSE:
http://www.njleg.state.nj.us/legislativepub/directions.asp
