BRUNSWICK — State Sen. Stan Gerzofsky, DBrunswick, has been appointed by Senate President Justin Alfond to serve as chairman of the Forensic Mental Health Services Oversight Committee, formed in the aftermath of the announcement that Riverview Psychiatric Facility would be cut off from $20 million in federal funding.
Staffing issues, worker safety and patient treatment were reasons cited failing to meet guidelines for funding.
“These reports are shameful. The treatment of our patients and the safety of staff are two of the most important issues the legislature must deal with in the coming months,” said Gerzofsky. “I am gravely disappointed that as chair of the committee on Criminal Justice and Public Safety, we have not been able to get any straight answers from the administration about this situation prior to it becoming a crisis.
“The loss of $20 million of funding is a big problem for the state. But we are where we are, and now we will look to correct deficiencies and … make this right.”
The committee of nine lawmakers and is scheduled for its first meeting Nov. 12.
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