This plea is rooted in a deeply personal experience. My son, just 29 years old, has grappled with severe depression and paranoid schizophrenia since he was a teenager. Despite multiple hospitalizations and ongoing treatment, struggles with medication compliance have often resulted in encounters with the criminal justice system. This pattern is not unique to my family; it is a distressing reality for many mentally ill individuals in Connecticut and around the country.

Our loved ones, when untreated due to their inherent right to refuse medication, face the risk of criminal charges when they exhibit behaviors that are essentially symptoms of their condition. Within Connecticut, a state known for its progressive stance on health care, it is difficult to fathom a legal system that criminalizes behaviors resulting from noncompliance of medication amongst those suffering from severe mental illness.

According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness, approximately 2 million people with mental illness are booked into jails each year. Nearly 15% of men and 30% of women booked into jails have a serious mental health condition. Our current legal system tends to exacerbate their conditions, instead of providing the treatment and care they urgently require.

Therefore, we urgently call for the reform of Connecticut's laws with an empathetic approach towards those suffering from mental illnesses. These individuals, like my son, should not face criminal charges for actions performed during mental health episodes. Instead, the system should prioritize their medical needs and ensure the application of relevant healthcare privacy laws to encourage and safeguard their treatment.

Let's stand together to make Connecticut a state that champions the rights and needs of mentally ill individuals, rather than further entrenching them in a system unsuited to their needs. Lend your support and sign this petition now.