TRENTON – Senate President Richard J. Codey (D-Essex) today released the following statement on the U.S. Justice Department’s report on Ancora Psychiatric Hospital:

“Without a doubt, this is a very sobering report. It certainly underscores the need to move swiftly to pass several bills that we have pending before the legislature that would dramatically improve employee training, education and hiring standards at state psychiatric hospitals.

Senate Health Panel Approves Package Designed to Improve Patient Safety and Strengthen Hiring, Training and Oversight at State Psychiatric Hospitals

            TRENTON – A package of bills sponsored by Senate President Richard J. Codey that are designed to protect patient safety and improve employee training and oversight at state psychiatric hospitals was approved yesterday by the Senate Health, Human Services and Senior Citizens Committee.

           “These hospitals are home to some of the state’s most vulnerable residents,” said Sen. Codey (D-Essex).  “We need to ensure that they are in the care of staff that are appropriately trained and focused on their best interests.  These bills will transform the way we care for the mentally ill and address a number of patient safety issues that have arisen at state-run facilities.”

Bill Would Help Get Treatment for Those Most Overlooked and in Need

            TRENTON – A bill sponsored by Senate President Richard J. Codey (D-Essex) that would create an Involuntary Outpatient Commitment (IOC) program in the State of New Jersey was approved by the full Senate today by a vote of 37 to 0.

            “This bill will create an entirely new mechanism to get much-needed help to the portion of our population that often gets overlooked,” said Codey.  “Our goal is to minimize time in the hospital and keep patients in the least restrictive environment that will help foster their recovery.”

SENATE PANEL APPROVES CODEY BILL TO CLOSE GAP IN MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES

Bill Would Help Get Treatment for Those Most Overlooked and in Need

TRENTON – A bill sponsored by Senate President Richard J. Codey (D-Essex) that would create an Involuntary Outpatient Commitment (IOC) program in the State of New Jersey was approved by the Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee today.

“This bill will create an entirely new mechanism to get much-needed help to the portion of our population that often gets overlooked,” said Codey. “Our goal is to minimize time in the hospital and keep patients in the least restrictive environment that will help foster their recovery.”

ASSEMBLY PANEL CLEARS BILLS TO ENHANCE TRANSPARENCY, SAFETY AT STATE PSYCHIATRIC HOSPITALS
Measure Would Establish Strict Training Programs, Drug Testing and Reporting Standards; Bills Stem from Reports of Poor Conditions, Unreported Deaths at Ancora Psychiatric Hospital
    
(TRENTON) - A three-bill package of legislation Assembly members Sheila Oliver, Pamela Lampitt, and Assemblyman Louis Greenwald sponsored in response to problems uncovered at South Jersey's Ancora Psychiatric Hospital was released today by an Assembly committee.

VITALE-BUONO BILL TO REQUIRE INSURANCE PARITY FOR TREATMENT OF MENTAL HEALTH, SUBSTANCE ABUSE APPROVED BY COMMITTEE

TRENTON – A bill sponsored by Senators Joseph F. Vitale and Barbara Buono which would require health insurers in New Jersey to cover treatment for alcoholism and substance abuse disorders under the same terms and conditions used for other diseases and illnesses was approved by the Senate Health, Human Services and Senior Citizens Committee today by a vote of 6-0, with four abstentions.

VITALE-BUONO BILL TO ENSURE INSURANCE COVERAGE FOR ALCOHOLISM, SUBSTANCE ABUSE AND MENTAL DISORDERS ADVANCES IN ASSEMBLY

TRENTON - A bill sponsored by Senators Joseph F. Vitale and Barbara Buono which would require insurance companies to cover alcoholism, substance abuse and mental disorders under the same terms and conditions as for other diseases or illnesses was approved by the Assembly Appropriations Committee today by a vote of 10-3.