ASSEMBLY PANEL CLEARS BILLS TO ENHANCE TRANSPARENCY, SAFETY AT STATE PSYCHIATRIC HOSPITALS
Measure Would Establish Strict Training Programs, Drug Testing and Reporting Standards; Bills Stem from Reports of Poor Conditions, Unreported Deaths at Ancora Psychiatric Hospital
    
(TRENTON) - A three-bill package of legislation Assembly members Sheila Oliver, Pamela Lampitt, and Assemblyman Louis Greenwald sponsored in response to problems uncovered at South Jersey's Ancora Psychiatric Hospital was released today by an Assembly committee.

In February, the Assembly Human Services Committee held a special hearing regarding conditions at Ancora following published reports that several patients had died at the hospital since July 2006 - including two who were killed by fellow patients.

"We have an obligation to ensure that our mentally ill are cared for completely and compassionately while in a state facility," said Oliver (D-Essex), chairwoman of the panel. "Unfortunately, the problems at Ancora showed that inexcusable breaches of that compact were allowed to happen. We need to close the door to future problems at our psychiatric facilities quickly and permanently."

The first measure (A-2949) would require the state Department of Human Services to establish a system to report the exact number of physical assaults and unexpected deaths that occur at any state facility. The department would be required to update the statistics quarterly and make them publicly available their the departmental Internet site.

National patients rights advocates have said the measure would give New Jersey among the strictest reporting requirements in the country. According to a report in the Asbury Park Press, only Texas and California require the same level of information to be released.

The Press also uncovered more than 1,200 incidents of assaults at the facility.

"The public has a right to know when problems involving patients occur at these facilities," said Lampitt (D-Camden). "Our mental health safety net cannot be compromised by a secretive system that keeps patient families and state watchdogs in the dark. Regular, comprehensive reporting of assaults and deaths will allow us to respond quickly to problems as they arise - not years later."

The second Ancora-related bill (A-2956), would require applicants and current employees at state psychiatric hospitals to undergo drug testing. Under current law, employees must undergo a criminal history check, but are not required to be drug-tested. 

The final measure (A-2973) would create a training program within the state Department of Human Services - which runs the psychiatric facilities -for employees who work directly with patients to ensure safe, secure, and therapeutic care. The measure would establish minimum educational standards, including a high school diploma or certificate of high school equivalency.

"Raising the bar for professionalism and transparency at hospitals like Ancora will ensure employees, patients, and families can work together," said Greenwald (D-Camden). "We need to put an end to the senseless accidents and deaths that have plagued Ancora . But we also must  put an end to the excuses and the obfuscation."

The Assembly Human Services Committee released the measures 10-0, 10-0, and 10-0, respectively. They now head to the Assembly Speaker, who decides if and when to post them for floor votes.

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