Kendra's Law: Final Report on the Status of Assisted Outpatient Treatment

On August 9, 1999, Governor George Pataki signed Kendra's Law (Chapter 408 of the Laws of 1999), creating a statutory framework for courtordered Assisted Outpatient Treatment (AOT) to ensure that individuals with mental illness and a history of hospitalizations or violence participate in community-based services appropriate to their needs. Kendra's Law was named in memory of Kendra Webdale, a young woman who died in January, 1999 after being pushed in front of a New York City subway train by Andrew Goldstein, a man with a history of mental illness and hospitalizations. The law became effective in November of 1999.