Gov. Kathy Hochul recently broached the topic of expanding the state’s involuntary commitment laws — an issue that sits at the intersection of mental health care, individual rights and public safety.

AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom. Read our AI Policy. A North Carolina law known as Iryna’s Law is expected to increase the number of people who need behavioral health services, adding ...

As New Yorkers, we all want a public mental health system that is effective, just, and compassionate. Yet Gov. Hochul’s proposal to expand Kendra’s Law — a statute that mandates involuntary outpatient ...

State Sen. Liz Krueger, D-Manhattan, speaks during a news conference last week in Albany. In the wake of the state budget’s recent passage, Gov. Kathy Hochul has been trumpeting the state’s changes to ...

The governor’s ongoing push to increase involuntary commitments of people with untreated severe mental illness continues to gain steam in Albany. The union representing New York nurse practitioners is ...

In its 2026 state budget, New York is putting a concerted effort behind addressing severe mental illness by expanding its involuntary hospitalization law and increasing the number of psychiatric beds.

After a number of well-publicized attacks and killings in the past year, particularly in New York City, involving people with serious untreated mental illness, Gov. Kathy Hochul has proposed expanding ...

Rep. Hugh Blackwell says the state has over 300 beds it can't use because of staffing shortages.

Ryan Camacho, now charged with murder in Wake teacher Zoe Welsh's death, was judged mentally ill but not meeting the criteria for commitment.