Ervin Act Report 2002

Mary, I regret only Effie who is both a league officer and a member of the Partnership Council was present during the agenda item on the Ervin Act. The matter was being discussed in chambers as we met and our General Counsel was not present to participate in the discussion which was led by the Director.As I indicated my knowledge on this matter is somewhat limited. This is a very emotional issue and the federal lawyers and jurists have fanned the flames. The current focus is to separate the forensic and civil code in order to leave the forensic code unchanged. Since January the Department has submitted ten different versions of language all of which have been rejected by the Feds. The second reading or mark up is scheduled before the City Council on Tuesday 12-17-02. The Director has asked us to contact our ward representatives before then. It would probably also be a good idea to contact Council Chairman and Pro Tem and At-Large-Members. See if Jeanne Locher, who works for Councilmember Jim Graham, has an email list for the City Council she can upload to us. A copy of the DMH's current version is on the way to me by email and I will forward it to you. I was aghast that no copies were available at the meeting.
Jesse Price, President DCMHCL