WASHINGTON—U.S. Senator Chris Murphy (D-Conn.), a member of the U.S. Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee, and Ranking Member of the Committee U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-Wash.), released the following statements on the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) final rule to ban the use of electrical stimulation devices (ESDs) on children and adults with disabilities. The announcement comes following a request from Murphy and Murray urging the FDA to finalize the rule. The rule was first proposed in 2016, but years of delays and missed deadlines allowed for ESDs—which attach to the skin and allow another person to administer electric shocks—to continue being used as a form of punishment and behavioral control.

“Electrical Stimulation Devices have little efficacy and several long-term negative side-effects, and I’m glad Dr. Hahn was true to his word that he would work with me to ban these devices. It’s an inhumane practice that hurts those who are already vulnerable—especially since these individuals have difficulty communicating. We know alternative and effective treatment options are available, and I appreciate the agency taking this overdue step,” said Murphy.

“I’m glad FDA finally took this important step to protect children and adults with disabilities,” said Murray. “Just last month, I urged the FDA to not delay any longer in finalizing this rule. Electrical stimulation devices cause psychological trauma and physical injury—and while it took too long, I’m glad that this archaic and inhumane form of punishment will finally be banned once and for all.”  

In February, Senators Murphy and Murray led Senators Bob Casey (D-Pa.), Tim Kaine (D-Va.), Maggie Hassan (D-N.H.), Doug Jones (D-Ala.), Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) and Tina Smith (D-Minn.) in urging the FDA to finalize the rule. Last year, Murphy also secured a commitment from then-nominee Dr. Stephen Hahn to ban the use of ESDs. In 2016, the FDA proposed a rule to ban this practice, which Murphy and his colleagues supported.

###