328
Opinion of the Court
and many States as well have separate agencies for addressing their needs.3
Kentucky's burden of proof scheme, then, can be explained by differences in the ease of diagnosis and the accuracy of the prediction of future dangerousness and by the nature of the treatment received after commitment. Each of these rationales, standing on its own, would suffice to establish a rational basis for the distinction in question.
B
There is a rational basis also for the other distinction challenged by respondents: that Kentucky allows close relatives
et seq. (mental illness); N. Y. Mental Hyg. Law § 15.27 et seq. (McKinney 1988) (mental retardation); § 9.27 et seq. (mental illness); N. D. Cent. Code § 25-03.1-07 et seq. (1989) (mental illness); Ohio Rev. Code Ann. § 5123.71 et seq. (1989 and Supp. 1992) (mental retardation); § 5122.11 et seq. (mental illness); Okla. Stat., Tit. 43A, § 5-401 (Supp. 1993) (mental illness); Ore. Rev. Stat. § 427.215 et seq. (1991) (mental retardation); § 426.070 et seq. (mental illness); Pa. Stat. Ann., Tit. 50, § 4406 (Purdon 1969 and Supp. 1992) (mental retardation); § 7301 et seq. (mental illness); R. I. Gen. Laws § 40.1-22-9 et seq. (1990) (mental retardation); § 40.1-5-8 (mental illness); S. C. Code Ann. § 44-20-450 (Supp. 1992) (mental retardation); § 44-17-510 et seq. (1985) (mental illness); S. D. Codified Laws § 27B-7-1 et seq. (1992) (mental retardation); § 27A-10-1 et seq. (mental illness); Tenn. Code Ann. § 33-6-103 et seq. (Supp. 1992) (mental illness); Tex. Health & Safety Code Ann. § 593.041 et seq. (1992) (mental retardation); § 574.001 et seq. (mental illness); Utah Code Ann. § 62A-5-312 (Supp. 1992) (mental retardation); § 62A-12-234 (mental illness); Vt. Stat. Ann., Tit. 18, § 8822 et seq. (1987) (mental retardation); § 7612 et seq. (mental illness); Va. Code Ann. § 37.1- 67.1 et seq. (1984 and Supp. 1992) (mental illness); Wyo. Stat. § 25-5-119 (1990 and Supp. 1992) (mental retardation); § 25-10-110 (mental illness).
But see Minn. Stat. § 253B.07 et seq. (1992) (mental retardation and mental illness); Miss. Code Ann. § 41-21-61 et seq. (Supp. 1992) (mental retardation and mental illness); N. C. Gen. Stat. § 122C-261 et seq. (1989 and Supp. 1992) (mental retardation and mental illness); Wash. Rev. Code § 71.05.150 et seq. (1992 and Supp. 1993) (mental retardation and mental illness); W. Va. Code § 27-5-2 et seq. (1992) (mental retardation and mental illness); Wis. Stat. § 51.20 (1989-1990) (mental retardation and mental illness).
3 See Brief for New Jersey et al. as Amici Curiae 7, 1a.
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