Advocacy E-News August 12, 2019

August 12, 2019

 

USING MENTAL ILLNESS AS A SCAPEGOAT WILL NOT PREVENT MASS SHOOTINGS

In the aftermath of the heartbreaking tragedies that occurred over the weekend in Dayton and El Paso, there has been a great deal of misinformation about mental health and its role in connection to violent acts in the media. Making assumptions about a shooter’s mental state and publicizing false information is highly stigmatizing and can prevent individuals from seeking diagnosis and treatment.

See Debra Wentz’s NJ.com Op Ed

 

NOW LAW: CORRADO BILL ADDING MENTAL HEALTH EDUCATION TO NJ SCHOOL CURRICULUM

Senator Kristin Corrado’s (R-40) bipartisan legislation to incorporate mental health education into New Jersey public school’s health class curriculum has been signed into law. The legislation, S-2861, would require all public elementary, middle, and high school health classes in New Jersey incorporate mental health education into the curriculum.

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NJ ATTORNEY GENERAL HOPES NEW PLAN WILL PREVENT POLICE SUICIDES

New Jersey Attorney General Gurbir Grewal directive will require state, county, and municipal law enforcement agencies to each designate someone to train officers in resiliency and be a resource for those seeking help. By 2022, every officer in the state will have gone through a two-day training session that addresses mental health, coping mechanisms and removing the stigma for asking for help. The program is the first of its kind in the country, according to the Attorney General’s office.

Read more

 

GOVERNOR SIGNS LAW LIMITING CHARGES FOR MEDICAL RECORDS

Governor Phil Murphy signed the following bill into law S984 establishes certain requirements, including allowable fees, for provision of medical records to patients, legally authorized representatives, and authorized third parties. The bill provides that a hospital or professional licensed by the State Board of Medical Examiners (BME) must provide copies of medical and billing records to a patient, the patient’s legally authorized representative, or an authorized third party, within 30 days after receiving a request for the record. The bill also limits the amount of fees that can be charged. The fees authorized by this law shall not be imposed on a patient who does not have the ability to pay.

See the legislation.