Assemblyman Jeff Gallahan (R,C-Manchester) supports his Minority colleagues in the Assembly and Senate who have highlighted the urgent need for stronger laws surrounding involuntary commitment for individuals dealing with severe mental health issues. The call for stronger involuntary commitment laws emerged in response to a violent incident that occurred in Brooklyn recently when four young girls were brutally stabbed by their relative who had a reported history of mental illness.

To protect the public from harm and ensure individuals struggling with severe mental illnesses or disorders receive the treatment and care they need, Gallahan states preventive action from the state is required.

“Our communities need to be protected from individuals who have demonstrated they pose a direct threat to public safety,” said Gallahan. “The incident that occurred in Brooklyn should not have happened—had stronger involuntary commitment laws been in place to get individuals with histories of severe or violent mental health disorders off the streets and into treatment, this incident could have been prevented. I support my colleagues’ mission to strengthen these laws and put New Yorkers’ safety first.”