New Jersey Assembly Bill A2736

New Jersey 2022-2023 Regular Session

• Introduced: 2/14/22
• Refer: 2/14/22

Caption

Provides alternate standard for involuntary commitment to treatment in outpatient setting.

Impact

By modifying the criteria under which individuals can be committed to outpatient treatment, the bill could potentially reduce the number of individuals forced into inpatient care, promoting treatment in a less restrictive environment. This aligns with broader mental health advocacy trends that emphasize recovery-oriented approaches. However, the bill aims to include the stipulation that a lack of treatment could result in significant harm, thus ensuring that the need for serious intervention remains intact.

Summary

Assembly Bill A2736 proposes an amendment to the existing involuntary commitment laws to introduce an alternate standard for determining when a person should be involuntarily committed to outpatient treatment. The primary focus of this bill is to ensure that individuals with mental illness who are deemed not immediately dangerous but still at a significant risk can be committed for treatment outside of an inpatient facility. This alternate standard is designed to better align with existing court rules concerning civil commitment for minors.

Contention

There are concerns surrounding the implementation of this bill, particularly regarding the definitions of 'dangerous to self' and 'dangerous to others or property'. Critics argue that the language may lead to subjective interpretations that could endanger patient rights or challenge the threshold for involuntary commitment. The balance between ensuring access to necessary treatment and protecting individual freedoms remains a point of contention among lawmakers and mental health advocates.