Post date:
August 3 1999
Statement By Attorney General Eliot Spitzer Regarding The Leaders' Agreement On Kendra's Law
In January, we began the process of seeking an outpatient commitment law that would protect both the public and the mentally ill. This process was aided immeasurably by the cooperation and courage of the Webdale family, whose members were determined to transform a tragedy into something positive.
In addition, we received invaluable assistance from mental health advocates, including D.J. Jaffe and others from the Treatment Advocacy Center.
This process is now nearing completion. In this regard, I commend and congratulate the leaders for reaching agreement on language of a bill that will honor the name and memory of Kendra Webdale.
This law will help ensure that the violently mentally ill will not be a danger to themselves or the rest of society. I am convinced that this legislation will help save lives in the future. Of course, the legislation is not all that needs to be done. We must continue to work to improve and expand the capabilities of the state's mental health system, and I am committed to seeing this effort through.