Assemblyman John F. McKeon (D-Essex) on Tuesday released the following statement after the Christie administration said it would delay implementing a law he sponsored last session (A-1618) to allow for involuntary commitment to outpatient treatment for some individuals with mental illness:
“Outpatient commitment is an important tool for family members caring for the severely mentally ill, and this new law provided the necessary tools to ensure the safety of the individual and the public in the rare cases when involuntary commitment is required. I see no reason to justify this decision that threatens both public safety and the health of patients who need this help. The executive branch does not have the ability to pick and chose which laws it implements, so I fully expect to see this law implemented as was intended to prevent more needless suffering.”