Senator Ward Pushes Mental Health Reform

"Before this 1968 legislative year is over, there will be a new statute in reference to the commitment procedures," Senator Joseph D. Ward (D-Fitchburg), chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, told a group from the Massachusetts Association for Mental Health yesterday.

The Judiciary Committee is presently considering an "omnibus bill," prepared by the Special Commission on Mental Health, which would make this state one of the most progressive in mental health reform.

Senator Ward said, "There are probably 500 citizens held illegally at Bridge-water and more get committed there every year." (See page 3 for a detailed discussion of the proposed code.)