TBA Law Blog


Posted by: Stacey Shrader Joslin on Sep 22, 2023

New Jersey is the latest state to limit its mental health and substance abuse disclosure requirement for those applying to join the bar, Reuters reports. The move comes amid pressure from mental health advocates who say the disclosures discourage law students from seeking help. Beginning Oct. 1, the Supreme Court of New Jersey will revise a question on the state’s mandatory "character and fitness" questionnaire about mental health and substance abuse diagnoses and treatment to ask applicants whether they currently have a substance abuse or mental health issue that affects their ability to practice law in a competent and ethical manner. New York, Ohio and Virginia are among the states that recently eliminated mental health questions from their character and fitness reviews.