New Jersey § 30:4-27

§ 30:4-27.

The Legislature finds and declares that: a. Certain individuals who commit sex offenses suffer from mental abnormalities or

personality disorders which make them likely to engage in repeat acts of predatory

sexual violence if not treated for their mental conditions. b. Under the existing involuntary commitment procedure, persons are subject to commitment

if they are mentally ill and dangerous to self, others or property. “ Mental illness ” is a current, substantial disturbance of thought, mood, perception or orientation

which significantly impairs judgment, capacity to control behavior or capacity to

recognize reality, which causes the person to be dangerous to self, others or property. The nature of the mental condition from which a sexually violent predator may suffer

may not always lend itself to characterization under the existing statutory standard,

although civil commitment may nonetheless be warranted due to the danger the person

may pose to others as a result of the mental condition. c. Therefore, it is necessary to modify the involuntary civil commitment process in

recognition of the need for commitment of those sexually violent predators who pose

a danger to others should they be returned to society. d. Moreover, because of the nature of the mental conditions from which sexually violent

predators suffer and the danger they present, it is necessary to house involuntarily

committed sexually violent predators in an environment separate from persons committed

under P.L.1987, c. 116 ( C.30:4-27.1 et seq. ) or otherwise confined.