Governor Kathy Hochul made a bold statement on Friday, promising to address the issue of subway violence by implementing changes to the state’s mental health laws. Hochul’s plan aims to make it easier to involuntarily commit and treat dangerous mentally ill individuals in New York. However, critics were quick to point out that her plan lacked specific details and was seen as too little, too late.
In her announcement, Hochul mentioned that she would introduce new legislation in the upcoming budget to revise the state’s involuntary commitment standards. The proposed changes would expand the definition of who can be committed to ensure that more individuals receive the necessary care. Additionally, she mentioned plans to amend Kendra’s Law, which allows courts to order certain individuals to participate in Assisted Outpatient Treatment.
Despite the lack of specific details in Hochul’s statement, she expressed confidence that the proposed changes would address the recent incidents of subway violence in the city. City Councilman Robert Holden criticized the governor for not effectively utilizing Kendra’s Law, which he believes could help solve the problem if properly enforced.
The announcement coincided with the 26th anniversary of the tragic death of Kendra Webdale, whose murder led to the passing of Kendra’s Law. Ralph Webdale Jr., Kendra’s brother, expressed concerns about the ongoing safety issues related to mentally ill individuals attacking others in public spaces.
Brian Stettin, a senior adviser on severe mental illness, emphasized the importance of getting more people into care to prevent violent incidents. He highlighted the need for better coordination between healthcare providers and law enforcement to ensure that individuals receive the necessary treatment.
While Governor Hochul’s plan received some support from Mayor Eric Adams, who has been advocating for state reforms to address the mental health crisis, it also faced criticism from lawmakers and advocates. Glenn Liebman, CEO of the Mental Health Association of New York, argued that the response should be more comprehensive and include incentives to bolster the mental health workforce.
Overall, Governor Hochul’s proposed changes to mental health laws have sparked a debate among stakeholders, with some calling for a more systemic approach to address the underlying issues contributing to public safety concerns. The details of her legislation are expected to be unveiled in the coming weeks, shedding more light on the potential impact of these proposed changes.
