June 20, 2024
On June 18, 2024, the Department of Justice released a Findings Report for its investigation in the State of Missouri under Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act. The Justice Department determined that Missouri violates the ADA by unnecessarily institutionalizing adults with mental health disabilities in nursing facilities and failing to provide the community-based services they need to remain in their communities. It also found that instead of assertively engaging people in care, Missouri is relying on guardianship. With few options for community-based services or housing, appointed guardians then place these adults in nursing facilities.
The Justice Department found that Missouri can make reasonable modifications to remedy this discrimination, including expanding its existing community-based mental health services system. The Department is committed to working with Missouri to implement necessary reforms.
For more information on the investigation, please read the press release. You may also visit the Special Litigation Section’s website. For more information regarding the ADA, visit ada.gov or call the Justice Department’s toll-free ADA information line at 800-514-0301 or 833-610-1264 (TTY).