2012 Press Releases

December 17, 2012 – Bazelon Center Statement on Sandy Hook Shooting
The Judge David L. Bazelon Center for Mental Health Law joins the rest of the nation in mourning the tragic loss of life at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Connecticut. Read the Press Release (PDF)

August 24, 2012 – Historic Victory for Virginians with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities and Their Families; Court Approves Agreement for System Transformation
The U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia has approved a comprehensive agreement between the U.S. Department of Justice and the Commonwealth of Virginia that will provide a long-overdue opportunity to thousands of individuals with intellectual and other developmental disabilities to receive the services they need to live successfully in their homes and communities. Read the Press Release (PDF)

August 23, 2012 – Stakeholder Group Lauds Agreement to Serve North Carolinians with Mental Illnesses in the Community Instead of Adult Care Homes
A diverse group of North Carolina stakeholders applauded the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) and the state of North Carolina for reaching an agreement yesterday to end the state’s reliance on large, segregated adult care homes for people with mental illnesses. The state must develop 3,000 new units of supported housing, among other requirements. Read the Press Release (PDF)

July 12, 2012 – Bazelon Center Calls on Congress to Enact Federal Standards on Restraint and Seclusion in Schools and to Prioritize Proven Positive Alternatives. 
The Judge David L. Bazelon Center for Mental Health Law applauds Chairman Tom Harkin (D-Iowa) and Ranking Member Michael Enzi (R-Wyo.) of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee for holding today’s important hearing, “Beyond Seclusion and Restraint: Creating Positive Learning Environments for All Students.” Read the Press Release (PDF)

April 6, 2012 – Adult Home Residents Suffer a Setback; The Court of Appeals Vacates Judge Garaufis’ Decision on a Technical Ground
On a technical ground, the Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit vacated a ruling that New York’s practice of segregating thousands of people with mental illnesses in large adult homes constitutes discrimination and violates the Americans with Disabilities Act. The Second Circuit held that plaintiff Disability Advocates, Inc. (DAI), did not have “standing” to bring the lawsuit. Read the Press Release (PDF)

April 6, 2012 – Coalition of 70 Organizations Submits Statement to Court Supporting Virginia Justice Department Agreement to Strengthen Home-and-Community-Based Services for People with Disabilities
A diverse coalition of 70 Virginia stakeholders submitted a statement to the federal court in Richmond today in support of a January 2012 settlement agreement between the Commonwealth of Virginia and the U.S. Department of Justice that would afford almost 5,000 people with intellectual and other developmental disabilities the chance to receive the services they need to live successfully in their homes and communities. Read the Press Release (PDF)

March 28, 2012 – U.S. Justice Department Joins Advocates’ Lynn E. v. Lynch Suit Citing Lack of Community Mental Health Services in New Hampshire
Just weeks after advocates filed a class-action complaint against New Hampshire’s failing mental health system, the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) has stepped in, strengthening advocates’ efforts. Read the Press Release (PDF)

March 22, 2012 – Bazelon Center Marks Health Reform’s Two-Year Anniversary with New Report: The Affordable Care Act at Year Two
To celebrate the second anniversary of the March 23, 2010, signing of the Affordable Care Act, the Judge David L. Bazelon Center for Mental Health Law has released a new report highlighting many of the law’s achievements. “In just its first two years, the Affordable Care Act has already improved the lives of countless Americans,” stated Chris Koyanagi, policy director of the Bazelon Center for Mental Health Law. Read the Press Release (PDF)

March 7, 2012 – New Data Affirm Dire Need for Federal Efforts to Support School Success for All Children
New national survey data released by the U.S. Department of Education reinforces the need for Congress to pass legislation that expands the use of school-wide positive behavior supports and that provides minimum standards on the use of restraint and seclusion in our nation’s schools.  Read the Press Release (PDF)

February 23, 2012 – Disability Community Calls for Greater Affirmative Action by Federal Contractors; Bazelon Center Leads Recommendations
The Bazelon Center has spearheaded a coordinated disability community response to proposed rule changes on how federal contractors implement and track nondiscrimination and affirmative action policies for people with disabilities. Read the Press Release (PDF)

February 17, 2012 – Supreme Court Challenge to Affordable Care Act’s Medicaid Expansion Puts at Risk a Host of Other Federal-State Programs; Broad Coalition Files Amicus Brief
Law Professor Samuel Bagenstos and attorneys with the Judge David L. Bazelon Center for Mental Health Law filed an amicus (or friend of the court) brief today on behalf of a broad coalition of education, healthcare, veterans, child welfare, disability, women’s sports, and other organizations, in Florida v. HHS. Read the Press Release (PDF)

February 9, 2012 – Advocates File Lawsuit Against NH’s Failing Mental Health Care System
The Bazelon Center, in collaboration with a number of stakeholders, filed a lawsuit against the state of New Hampshire on behalf of its residents with serious mental illnesses who are or are at risk of being institutionalized in state-run facilities due to the state’s failure to provide community-based mental health services and supports. Read the Press Release (PDF)