Charleston, W.Va.- - The Supreme Court of Appeals' Commission on Mental Hygiene Reform will hold four public forums this month throughout West Virginia. The Commission encourages individuals, groups, governmental bodies, and other organizations to attend one of its forums and share concerns and ideas about West Virginia's current mental hygiene system.

        The forums will be held on: 1) Tuesday, May 18 at the Berkeley County Courthouse in Martinsburg; 2) Wednesday, May 19 at the Monongalia County Courthouse in Morgantown;  3) Monday, May 24 at the Raleigh County Courthouse in Beckley; and 4) Tuesday, May 25 at the Kanawha County Courthouse in Charleston.

        The forums will begin at 7:00 p.m. Anyone wishing to speak must sign up for a time to speak at 6:30 p.m. at the forum site. The Commission may limit the time allotted to speakers based on the number wishing to speak. For this reason, the Commission encourages speakers to prepare comments in writing. The Commission will accept other written materials at the public forums or by mail addressed to: Commission on Mental Hygiene Reform, West Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals, State Capitol Complex, Building 1, Room E-100, Charleston, WV 25305.

        The Commission will conduct a comprehensive review of West Virginia's current mental hygiene laws, policies, practices, and procedures, and propose specific recommendations for change in a report to be filed with the Supreme Court on December 10, 1999. The 34 Commission members represent patients, families, advocates, medical and social service professionals, providers, law enforcement, and the court system. Morgantown attorney and former Monongalia County Mental Hygiene Commissioner, Bill Byrne, is the Commission's chair.

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