Involuntary Commitment

The Bazelon Center opposes involuntary outpatient commitment (IOC) for mental health treatment as an infringement of an individual's constitutional rights. Our position statement explains why.

Proponents of IOC cite studies to support their position, but our analysis finds these studies widely misused.

Thirty-seven states had laws permitting outpatient commitment as of June 2004 (see chart) and various states are considering legislative initiatives.

Groups Who Oppose IOC

Among the statements by groups and individuals opposing IOC are the following links:

• The National Association for Rights Protection and Advocacy (NARPA)
• The International Association of Psychosocial Rehabilitation Services (IAPSRS)
• The New York Association of Psychosocial Rehabilitation Services (NYAPRS) position, articulated during the debate on Kendra's Law
• Vermont Commissioner on Developmental and Mental Health Services (the file is formatted in PDF).
• The Connecticut chapter of the National Alliance of the Mentally Ill (NAMI-CT)
• The National Association of Protection and Advocacy Systems (NAPAS) does not have a position statement, but circulated an article in the P&A News.