Cathy Katsnelson's Speech at the Signing of
"Gregory's Law"
August 11, 2009
Good afternoon!
I am Cathy Katsnelson of Marlton, New Jersey and I am here today to witness
Governor Corzine sign Senate Bill 735 into law for the state of New Jersey! For
anyone who is not familiar with this legislation, this bill will improve New
Jersey's commitment process by allowing for involuntary commitment to outpatient
treatment as an alternative to inpatient hospitalization. This form of
assisted outpatient treatment is a less restrictive, less expensive treatment
alternative for people who need intervention but do not require inpatient
hospitalization. Over six years in the making, the new law provides
another tool for helping those people with incapacitating symptoms of illnesses
like schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. The effort marks years of work by New
Jersey supporters whose own experiences with untreated mental illness ignited
the change.
I am here and have been asked to say a few words today as a supporter and
initiator of this endeavor for change. My family and I began this journey as
victims of the current metal health system laws in New Jersey on October 17th,
2002 when our then 11 year old son Gregory’s life was taken by a man diagnosed
with paranoid schizophrenia who denied his illness and refused medication and
treatment to relieve the symptoms. Losing our son was devastating, but what made
this tragedy even harder to endure was learning that this man’s family was aware
of his condition and had tried on several occasions to get him the help he so
desperately needed, but they had been denied and turned away because of the way
the system worked. On that day in October 2002, our son’s life was taken as well
as the life of this man’s own mother. We knew then that something had to change!
These senseless tragedies had to stop!
 In September 2003, my husband, Mark, and I met with Senator Martha Bark of
Mount Laurel in Southern New Jersey and began to take the steps we felt would
bring about this change. In November 2003, the first draft of this bill which
was to be known as ‘Gregory’s Law’ was submitted to the Senate for review by
Senator Bark. While the original bill did not get a lot of attention and did not
go far, my family and I did not give up hope or lose sight of what we knew
needed to be done. We are grateful that Senator Codey introduced and sponsored
this bill which has finally been successful in passing the Senate and Assembly
without a single nay vote! His dedication, attention and influence to this
concern have, without a doubt, been instrumental to its success. Over the past
six years of striving to improve the treatment laws in New Jersey we have met
and worked with many people, and we would like to thank all of you who have been
a part of making this day possible. While it is not officially known as
‘Gregory’s Law’, to me, my family, our friends, everyone who knew Gregory and
are still inspired by him, it will always be referred to as ‘Gregory’s Law’.
Senator Martha Bark, Senator Codey, Senator Cardinale, Senator Vitale, Assembly
member Jack Conners, Assembly member Shelia Oliver, Mr. Davidson, Mr. Lubitz and
everyone at the Treatment Advocacy Center thank you for your continued support
and tireless work.
Governor Corzine, I would like to thank you for your invitation to be here
today, the opportunity to speak and, most importantly, your signature! You are
giving hope to patients, their families and care givers and to all New Jerseyans
for a better way of life and a safer New Jersey. As I mentioned, my family and I
began this endeavor as victims feeling helpless to change what has happened to
us, but after six years of working on this legislation, taking part in and
playing an integral role in bringing about a positive change, we are now
survivors.
Thank you! Thank all of you!
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