For Immediate Release: February 11, 2004
Contacts: Christopher Burley, Bazelon Center, 202-467-5730 x 133
or leec@bazelon.org
Bazelon Center for Mental Health Law Statement on
Introduction of The Fairness Act of 2004
WASHINGTON, DC—The following is a prepared statement by Jennifer
Mathis, staff attorney at the Bazelon Center for Mental Health Law, on introduction
of the Fairness Act of 2004:
“The Bazelon Center for Mental Health Law strongly supports passage
of the Fairness Act of 2004.
“Recent decisions by the Supreme Court and other courts have limited
enforcement of federal anti-discrimination laws, denying many the basic ability
to assert their rights. These decisions have limited remedies, hobbled enforcement
mechanisms and made it more difficult for people to obtain effective counsel.
“Access to justice is crucial for all people, but it is especially important
for adults and children with mental disabilities. Millions of people might
still be neglected and abused in institutional settings had litigation not
closed so many of those snake pits. Scores of children might still be subjected
to discrimination and arbitrary exclusion from schools had they been denied
effective counsel.
“The Fairness Act would provide an essential correction in the wildly
misguided course now being plotted by judges who have subverted the will of
Congress and deny people who have been discriminated against their day in court.
“Congress must pass this much-needed legislation to ensure that the
protections people with disabilities, the civil rights community and Congress
worked so hard to secure remain in place.”
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The Bazelon Center for Mental Health Law is the nation's leading legal
advocate for people with mental disabilities.
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