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SB 1070

AN ACT PROHIBITING SHOCK THERAPY TREATMENT.

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Cathy Osten

Connecticut bill would prohibit electroconvulsive therapy statewide, eliminating access to a psychiatric treatment some doctors consider effective but disability advocates view as harmful.

REF. TO JOINT COMM. ON Public Health
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Bill Summary · SB 1070

Legislative bill overview

SB 1070 would ban the use of electroconvulsive therapy (ECT), commonly known as "shock therapy," in Connecticut. The bill prohibits this psychiatric treatment method across all settings, including hospitals and licensed facilities where it is currently permitted under medical supervision.

Why is this important

ECT remains a legally practiced treatment for severe depression, bipolar disorder, and catatonia in most U.S. states, typically reserved for treatment-resistant cases. This bill represents a significant policy shift that would eliminate patient access to a treatment some psychiatrists consider effective, while addressing concerns from disability advocates who view it as harmful and outdated.

Potential points of contention

  • Medical efficacy debate: Psychiatrists maintain ECT has strong evidence for treating severe, life-threatening depression when other treatments fail, while critics argue risks outweigh benefits and alternatives exist
  • Patient autonomy: Questions about whether competent adults should have the right to choose ECT with informed consent, versus the state's interest in protecting vulnerable populations from potential harm
  • Implementation and liability: Unclear how the ban would apply to patients already undergoing treatment, transferred patients from other states, and whether Connecticut providers would face legal consequences

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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