After a series of brutal attacks in New York City by people with a history of mental health issues, Gov. Kathy Hochul last week promised to address the problem by changing the state’s involuntary commitment standards.

On Jan. 14 in her State of the State address, she has committed to introducing legislation to expand the definition of who hospitals are able to commit, as well as legislation to improve the process through which a court can order certain individuals to participate in assisted outpatient treatment.

“Public safety is my top priority, and I will do everything in my power to keep New Yorkers safe,” Hochul said in a statement.

But there is tremendous pushback from both mental health and civil rights advocates to changing the standard for involuntary commitment.

On the NYCLU’s website, Executive Director Donna Lieberman stated, “The real problem is there are not nearly enough mental health care resources available, especially for those who need them the most and including people subject to involuntary commitment."

But the governor isn’t alone in her desire to address this issue; the state Legislature has also taken an interest.

One bill, sponsored by state Sen. Brad Hoylman-Sigal and freshman Assemblyman Micah Lasher, expands the array of professionals who can commit people to involuntary hospitalization or assisted outpatient treatment.

According to Lasher, the so-called “HELP Act” will likely be a heavy lift in the state Legislature, but he’s ready for a compassionate conversation around the issue.

Lasher also discussed the HELP Act on the Ben Max on Politics podcast recently.