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Heated debate as judges, psychiatrists and patients clash over bill extending length of court‑authorized electroconvulsive therapy
Summary
The Public Health Committee heard sharply divergent testimony Feb. 3 on House Bill 6837, which would lengthen the maximum period a probate court may authorize electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) from 45 to 90 days; supporters said the change prevents life‑threatening interruptions in care for a small, severely ill patient group, while opponents warned of cognitive harm and weakened procedural safeguards.
Legislators heard nearly three hours of sharply divided testimony on House Bill 6837 on Feb. 3, a proposal to extend the maximum duration that a probate court order can authorize electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) from 45 days to 90 days and to align voluntary consent periods with the same 90‑day interval.
Supporters — including psychiatrists, hospital medical directors and probate judges who conduct ECT hearings — told the committee the change would protect a small group of very ill patients (for example, those with malignant catatonia or chronic, maintenance‑dependent treatment response) from harmful interruptions in care when court renewal timelines and scheduling delays prevent timely continuation of treatment.
“Sometimes these patients are so gravely ill they cannot advocate for themselves,” said Dr. Javeed Sekhera, chair of psychiatry at the Institute of Living. “For some, the course of therapy and maintenance schedules require more than 45 days between court reviews; a lapse can cause…
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