NYCLU on Gov. Hochul Push to Increase Involuntary Commitments

NEW YORK CITY – Today Governor Hochul suggested changes to involuntary commitment standards and an expansion of Kendra’s Law in her state budget. In response, the New York Civil Liberties Union issued the following statement attributable to Executive Director Donna Lieberman:

“The Governor is right that the status quo response to homelessness and serious mental health issues is untenable. But the change we need is not simply to lock more people away, especially those who pose no immediate threat to themselves or others. That doesn’t make us safer, it distracts us from addressing the roots of our problems, and it threatens New Yorkers’ rights and liberties.

“The new powers the Governor seeks are not needed. Existing law already establishes when involuntary commitment and treatment are appropriate. In New York City, police and other city officials routinely involuntarily commit individuals. What exactly happens to these New Yorkers after they are involuntarily committed is not clear and isn’t made publicly available. What research does make clear is that coercing people into mental health care is generally ineffective and does little to improve people’s mental health.

“The current system already fails those subject to involuntary commitment. They are bounced from one under-resourced facility after another before returning to the street. With no supportive housing or care manager who can help access scarce mental health and housing services, the cycle repeats. Today’s announcement proposes only to widen that spiral.

“The real problem is there are not nearly enough mental health care resources available, especially for those who need them the most and including people subject to involuntary commitment. Further criminalizing people with mental health issues, who are themselves 11 times more likely to be the victim of crimes, will not improve care or our housing shortage. The change we need will only come with bold new approaches and leadership.”

Read more on this topic at the NYCLU website: https://www.nyclu.org/commentary/the-status-quo-on-homelessness-and-mental-health-care-is-untenable

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