Bill

HB 25-1070

Electroconvulsive Treatment for Minors

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Jennifer Bacon and 8 co-sponsors

HB 25-1070 restricts ECT for minors, requires guardian consent, independent evaluation, and state oversight to safeguard under-18 patients.

Governor Signed

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Bill Summary · HB 25-1070

Summary — HB 25-1070: Electroconvulsive Treatment for Minors

Status: Governor Signed (2025-03-31)
Introduced: 2025-01-08
Classification: Bill

This summary describes the bill’s known procedural history and the likely purpose, key types of provisions, affected parties, and potential impacts. The legislative text of HB 25-1070 was not provided; the section “Key provisions” therefore describes the kinds of requirements and changes typically included in legislation titled “Electroconvulsive Treatment for Minors.” For precise legal obligations and statutory language, consult the enacted bill text on the Colorado General Assembly website.

Purpose / Intent

Based on the title, HB 25-1070 is intended to regulate the use of electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) on persons under 18. Such legislation commonly aims to protect minors by establishing consent, oversight, clinical safeguards, reporting, and limits on when ECT may be used.

Legislative status & timeline (selected)

Introduced in House, Health & Human Services: 2025-01-08
House committee referred (amended) to House Committee of the Whole: 2025-01-28
House Second Reading passage with amendments: 2025-02-04
House Third Reading passed (no amendments): 2025-02-05
Referred to Senate Health & Human Services: 2025-02-07
Senate committee refer unamended to Senate Committee of the Whole (consent calendar): 2025-03-06
Senate Second & Third Reading passed (no amendments): 2025-03-11; 2025-03-12
Signed by President of the Senate and Speaker of the House: 2025-03-24 / 2025-03-25
Sent to Governor: 2025-03-26
Governor Signed: 2025-03-31

Key provisions (inferred / typical elements)

Because the bill text is not provided here, the following are the commonly enacted elements in statutes regulating ECT for minors and likely features of HB 25-1070:
- Prohibition or strict limits on use of ECT for individuals under 18, allowing ECT only in narrowly defined circumstances (e.g., life‑threatening or treatment‑resistant conditions).
- Required informed consent from a parent or legal guardian, and assent from the minor when feasible.
- Requirement for independent psychiatric evaluation(s) and written second opinion prior to ECT.
- Judicial authorization procedure in contested cases or for certain age groups.
- Emergency exception provisions (temporary use when immediate treatment is necessary).
- Provider and facility standards (credentialing, anesthesia, monitoring, documentation).
- Mandatory reporting and data collection (to the state health department) on ECT use in minors.
- Penalties or enforcement mechanisms for noncompliance and a timeline for rulemaking or implementation.

Who is affected

Minors who might otherwise receive ECT and their families/guardians.
Psychiatrists, hospitals, and clinics that provide ECT.
State and local health agencies tasked with oversight and reporting.
Insurers (coverage decisions may be affected by statutory limits or required approvals).
Courts, if the bill includes judicial authorization or contested‑case procedures.

Potential impacts

Increased procedural oversight and safeguards for minors considered for ECT.
Possible reduction in the use of ECT in minors due to higher administrative, clinical, and legal thresholds.
New administrative/reporting responsibilities for providers and health agencies.
Potential debates about access to a treatment some clinicians consider clinically necessary in rare, severe cases.

Next steps / where to find the law

For exact statutory language, implementation timelines, and any rulemaking requirements, review the enacted bill text and follow-up administrative rules on the Colorado General Assembly and Colorado Department of Public Health websites.

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