The Nation : Mental Illness Fund Voted

The Senate completed congressional action on a bill authorizing more than $31 million through 1988 to help states set up agencies to work for the rights of mentally ill people. By a voice vote, the Senate approved a House-Senate conference report on the bill, sending the measure to President Reagan. The measure requires states to set up agencies to advocate the proper treatment of mentally ill people and provides up to $125,000 a year to each state for that purpose. The measure authorizes $10 million in the current fiscal year, $10.5 million in the 1987 fiscal year and $11 million in the 1988 fiscal year, for the establishment of the state advocacy offices.