Views of advocates, consumers, and attorneys on current legal issues

• Outpatient Commitment - Conditional Release
  A recent court ruling has changed the rules for agencies and consumers in this process – what are the consumers’ rights and the agency’s obligation? Information and reactions.

• "Ability to pay" vs. "Sufficient income" – rental qualifications
  How to help a renter who does not meet to requirements of the landlord.

• Property Tax Exemption
  A recent NJ Appellate Court has ruled in favor of non profits seeking tax exempt status. This can bolster your argument in similar cases.

• The Lien Law
  By forcing payment for psychiatric hospital and developmental centers New Jersey traps many persons into poverty, preventing home ownership, car ownership and often the means to work.

• Making Mental Health Services an Entitlement –The Model Law

Moderator
Alan Kaufman

Presenters
Carolyn Beauchamp – Michael Allen
David Lazarus – Jean Markey
Wayne Vivian
              
Agenda

New Jersey Issues
Jean Markey, Attorney - New Jersey Protection & Advocacy (NJP&A)
  • Outpatient Commitment Ruling

David Lazarus, Director of Litigation, Community Health Law Project (CHLP)
  • Property Tax Exemption
  • Rental Requirements

Carolyn Beauchamp – Executive Director, Mental Health Association of New Jersey
  • Lien Law

National issues
Michael Allen - Senior staff attorney and director of housing programs at the
                       Judge David L. Bazelon Center for Mental Health Law in Washington, D.C.

  • Making Mental Health Services a Legally Enforceable Entitlement – The Model Law