From Minnesota
State Sen. John Marty (pictured), who had been pushing for the legislation for 13 years. Here's
a video of the reasoning for the legislation.
During the final days of the 2010 session, legislation publicly apologizing for the state’s past treatment of people with disabilities was adopted. House File 1680/Senate File 1135 passed both the House and Senate without opposition and today was signed into law by the governor.
State Sen. John Marty, author of the legislation, said that after 13 years of pushing for its passage, it is time for the state to acknowledge that terrible injustices were done to tens of thousands of Minnesotans who were punished for having mental illnesses or developmental and other disabilities. Sen. Marty issued the following statement:
"I am very pleased that the state, on a bipartisan basis, was willing to make this apology.
“For over 100 years Minnesota had public policies that took people with mental illness and disabilities away from their families and communities and committed them to state institutions. In those institutions, some were forced to work without pay; some were subjected to medical experiments and procedures without their consent; and some were subjected to punitive shock treatments, aversive treatments, and isolation. The Senate Health Committee heard from adults who spent their childhood locked in an institution, away from their families, sometimes being cruelly punished for things beyond their control. They were denied the dignity that every person deserves. This is a shameful part of Minnesota's history.
“By offering this public apology, the state acknowledges its past mistakes and helps put closure on this era. This apology may not seem important to some, but for people who were wrongfully committed to these institutions earlier in their lives, this apology is of great importance. For the individuals and families affected, they are finally hearing the state say these meaningful words 'we're sorry'."
From Minnesota State Sen. John Marty (pictured), who had been pushing for the legislation for 13 years. Here's a video of the reasoning for the legislation.
