Press Release: 11/19/2025

MDDC Testifies on Bill Prohibiting Aversive Therapy

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

11/18/2025

MEDIA CONTACT

Jackson Crilley, Communications Coordinator

 Phone

Call Jackson Crilley, Communications Coordinator at (617) 770-7676 ext. 104

 Online

Email Jackson Crilley, Communications Coordinator at Jackson.Crilley2@mass.gov

BOSTON — Citizen members of the Massachusetts Developmental Disabilities Council (MDDC) will present testimony on H.245 – An Act regarding the use of aversive therapy in front of the Joint Committee on Children, Families and Persons with Disabilities at their Nov. 18 hearing.

This bill, sponsored by Representative Danielle Gregoire (D-Marlborough) would prohibit the use of physical pain through means such as hitting, pinching or electric shock to change the behavior of a person with a physical, intellectual, or developmental disability. It also prohibits programs treating persons with disabilities from denying them reasonable sleep, food, shelter, bathroom access, and other human needs. Canton, Massachusetts is home to the Judge Rotenberg Educational Center, the only care facility for people with disabilities that still utilizes electric shock therapy. Respected national disability rights organizations including The American Association on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (AAIDD), Autistic Self Advocacy Network (ASAN), The Arc, TASH, and others condemn the use of aversive practices, particularly shocking vulnerable individuals with disabilities.

In her testimony, MDDC Council Member Cynthia Laine recounted the experience of getting her son who experiences Autism a Functional Behavioral Analysis to help him with behaviors such as self-injury. “With the help of a Functional Behavioral Analysis (FBA), we learned what triggers Luke’s distress and how to prevent his behavior from escalating… Today, Luke has far fewer behavioral crisis, and less self-injury, and is a happier, more confident child. These changes came not from punishment or pain, but from compassion, evidence-based supports, and respect for his humanity,” said Laine in her testimony.

“While we have advanced the rights and dignity of people with developmental and other disabilities in recent decades, Massachusetts still allows painful and inhumane treatment of our most vulnerable citizens. Many people with disabilities, particularly those who are still institutionalized and exhibit challenging and aggressive behaviors, are significantly devalued by society and seen as less than human. This dehumanization, the stripping away of a person’s human dignity, facilitates the use of painful, cruel, and tortuous acts to this day. Sadly, the treatment and attitude towards people with disabilities perpetuates ongoing significant societal ‘prejudice, intolerance, and ambivalence,’” said Sandra Heller, MDDC Member-at-Large and Jennifer Bertrand, MDDC Deputy Director in their joint testimony submitted to the Committee. H.245 was included in the MDDC’s list of endorsed legislation for the 2025-2026 legislative session since it was adopted in March.

The MDDC will continue its work of educating and informing policymakers on the impact legislation would have on the lives of people with disabilities and their families.