(June 13, 2017) The most successful assisted outpatient treatment (AOT) law in the country, New York’s Kendra’s Law, is at risk because of legislators playing politics. The New York legislative session ends this month, giving lawmakers as few as six days to keep Kendra's Law from expiring.
Kendra's Law has become a national model for AOT legislation and its success is unquestionable. However, the fate of this life-saving law now depends upon the NY Senate and Assembly resolving a standstill over whether to extend the bill for five more years or make this law permanent.
Originally enacted in 1999, Kendra's Law has been an unquestionable success for those most in need throughout New York State. A mountain of evidence shows that AOT has been a critical lifeline for New Yorkers with severe mental illness. Kendra's Law, and AOT programs like it, drastically reduce hospitalization, homelessness, arrest and incarceration among people with severe psychiatric disorders, while increasing adherence to treatment and overall quality of life. That’s why states across the United States and the federal government have embraced the program so strongly.
Decision time has arrived. Thousands of New Yorkers with severe mental illness and their loved ones are counting on the legislature to maintain this critical lifeline to safety and stability in the community. To fail to do so would be a catastrophe of unimaginable proportions. No amount of political gamesmanship could make up for that.