Mental Health
Since its first major system reform case on behalf of residents of the Northampton State Hospital, the Center has had a unique interest and expertise in phasing down public psychiatric hospitals and promoting the community integration of their residents. Its efforts have resulted in the successful closure of several facilities in Massachusetts, Florida, and other States.
Documents and pleadings which may be helpful to attorneys litigating or considering the litigation of disability law related cases are available by following the links below.
April 26, 2012: Advocates Object to Use of Restraint Chair in MA
CPR and other legal advocacy agencies have joined together to object to Massachusetts DMH's plans to use a restraint chair at a soon to be opened state mental hospital. The advocates have written to the DMH Commissioner asking her to reconsider and have branded the restraint device as dangerous and demeaning. Read the letter and bibliography supporting the advocates' arguments.
February 9, 2012: Lynn E. v. Lynch
Six individuals filed this class action on behalf of themselves and all persons with serious mental illness who are institutionalized in the New Hampshire Hospital (NHH) or the Glencliff Nursing Home (Glencliff), or at serious risk of institutionalization in these state-operated facilities. New Hampshire has failed to provide the community services that the plaintiffs need to leave NHH and Glencliff and to prevent their unnecessary institutionalization in these facilities. These services include: mobile crisis intervention, Assertive Community Treatment, supported housing, and supported employment.
The plaintiffs request declaratory and injunctive relief under Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, and the Nursing Home Reform Amendments to the Medicaid Act, as well as an order directing the State to provide community services required to avoid class members’ needless institutionalization.
The U.S. Department of Justice also conducted an investigation of NH's mental health system. Findings issued in April 2011 concluded that New Hampshire is violating the Americans with Disabilities Act and Olmstead v. L.C., 527 U.S. 581(1999) by failing to provide services to individuals with serious mental illness in the most integrated setting appropriate to their needs. The United States found that this failure “has led to the needless and prolonged institutionalization of individuals with disabilities...” and that the “systemic failures in the State’s system place qualified individuals with disabilities at risk of unnecessary institutionalization now and going forward.”
Following the tragic death of a mental health residential program staff person apparently at the hands of a program resident, the Massachusetts Department of Mental Health established a Task Force on Staff and Client Safety. In April 2011, the Center for Public Representation submitted two documents to the Task Force for its consideration. The first is an argument against involuntary outpatient commitment in light of Massachusetts law and the second is CPR's recommendations for the Task Force's findings:
An overview of issues in the administration of psychiatric medications to children and adolescents:
Restraint of Children in Massachusetts -- A monograph
CPR represented the respondent in an appeal from the denial of his request for an emergency hearing after he alleged "abuse or misuse" of the Massachusetts temporary involuntary civil commitment process. The respondent had been involuntarily readmitted to the hospital within minutes after a court had ordered him discharged. Massachusetts statutes allow individuals to immediately challenge temporary commitments without having to wait for the civil commitment hearing.
In a 2-1 decision the Appellate Division of the District Court affirmed the trial court's refusal to hold an emergency hearing. The respondent appealled and the Supreme Judicial Court has accepted direct review. A copy of the SJC principal brief (Jan 2008) is available below and followed by a link to the appellant's Reply Brief.
Comm. v. Carrara
Comments on MA DMH Risk Management Report
Restraint radio program
The documents contained on this page and within this web site do not constitute legal advice. Anyone engaged in legal action should consult with an attorney. Attorneys should make their own independent judgments. Local laws vary and the law may have changed since these documents were written. Litigants should fully research any claims or defenses before making them.