30:4-27.25. Findings, declarations relative to sexually violent predators

2. 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.

L.1998, c.71, s.2.