The New Jersey State Bar Association supports S-524 (Ruiz)/A-1700 (Quijano), which creates the Mental Health Diversion Program to divert eligible persons away from the criminal justice system and into appropriate case management and mental health services.
The Association supports this bill as a much needed measure to address the criminalization of mental health disorders. The bill will treat the cause, and not the effect, of crime at the hands of people who have mental health disorders. Its implementation will benefit all New Jerseyans by reducing recidivism, helping individuals obtain the help they need, and improving the quality of life for all involved.
For the reasons set forth above, the New Jersey State Bar Association supports S-524/A-1700 and urges you to vote yes to this proposed legislation.