TRENTON – Senator Richard J. Codey today released the following statement upon learning that the Christie administration would delay implementation of law he sponsored that created a system for families to commit loved ones with mental illness to an outpatient program for treatment.
The law – signed one year ago tomorrow – was spurred by several murders committed by individuals who had been diagnosed with mental illness, but who had refused treatment:
“This decision is a mistake and will put the patients, family members and the general population at risk. It was a long hard fight to get this bill enacted and I would hope that the Governor will rethink this decision.
“The ability to give families the tools to protect loved ones, who due to mental disability are a threat to themselves and others, should be a priority not just for them, but for us all.”