In the wake of several major crimes in the city, Gov. Cathy Hochul said she wants to change state law to allow authorities to admit mentally ill people to hospitals without their consent.
But the Democratic-led state Legislature has opposed similar policy proposals before and will likely face an uphill battle.
What you need to know
Gov. Kathy Hochul said state law needs to be changed to make it easier to receive medical care without consent.
She also wants to strengthen Kendra’s Law, which allows courts to prescribe psychiatric treatment for people suffering from mental illness.
Last month, a woman died after being set on fire inside a subway car. This week, a man was seriously injured when he was struck by a moving train, and an MTA worker was stabbed in the Bronx.
Hochul said Friday that enough is enough about subway crime.
“We need to make sure people suffering from severe mental illness get the care they need, and we also need to protect innocent bystanders on the subway and on the street,” Hochul said at a press conference on the Lower East Side. ” he said.
Last month, a woman died after being set on fire inside a subway car.
This week, a man was seriously injured after being thrown by a moving train, and an MTA worker was stabbed in the Bronx.
“Not all of these crimes have mental health at the root of it. We never thought that would be the case. But in those cases, when the system fails, people who suffer from mental health episodes “It’s very scary when an individual does something,” she said. “That’s what we need to figure out, and the language of the law will give doctors and hospitals more direction.”
Now, Hochul says state law needs to be changed to make it easier to receive medical care without consent.
She also wants to strengthen Kendra’s Law, which allows courts to prescribe psychiatric treatment for people suffering from mental illness.
Mayor Eric Adams supported Hochul in a statement.
“Several recent incidents have shown what can happen if these problems are not treated. As we have said repeatedly, we cannot wait for change. That is why we , we have implemented almost every solution under city control without passing this law,” he said Friday.
However, Hochul may face a challenge in the Democratic-controlled Congress.
“This bill has failed in the Legislature in the past, and I really hope everyone in the Legislature pays attention to what’s going on in our city and state,” said Andrea, a Democrat from Westchester. State Senate Majority Leader Stewart Cousins said: “We have focused more than any previous parliament, from a mental health perspective and how to make sure people get the support they need. We will consider her proposals and move from there. I’m going to work on it.”
“I think there’s a worldwide recognition that we need to do more about mental health, especially what’s happening in the subways. We’ve got to do something,” said Bronx Democratic State Assembly Speaker. Carl Heastie said.
In 2022, mental health teams have been ordered to board the subways. Hochul called for hospitals to free up more psychiatric beds and for 1,000 National Guard troops to patrol the subways.
However, recent statistics show an increase in crime.
“I will take it on again. I hope to be successful, but I will also say this: Focusing on mental health is not new to me,” Hochul said.
Both proposals require parliamentary approval before the legislative session is scheduled for June.
