Despite evidence that people with serious mental illness are more often the victims of crime than its perpetrators, 44 states followed New York's example of Kendra's Law with their own versions of court-ordered outpatient treatments. With New York's law about to expire, 21 advocacy organizations are asking for a five-year extension of the current law, time to permit assessment of its effectiveness before deciding to make it permanent. An earlier study about AOT in New York left many unanswered questions. The five-year renewal is supported by New York's mental health commissioner and governor.
Asking for care and evaluation, Jeffrey Wise, executive director of the New York State Rehabilitation Association, said,
"Whenever the State invokes its police power to restrict freedoms, it must be done only after great deliberation and with the knowledge that the restriction of one's personal liberty yields only the best possible outcomes for individuals and for the community."
Alternatives to outpatient commitment are often overlooked in contemplating programs bringing success. And current budget crisis are making it more difficult to build the programs that would have the long term benefits, including costs, consistent with mental health reform.
