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HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 729 FILED ON: 1/13/2025
HOUSE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . No. 240
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts
_________________
PRESENTED BY:
William C. Galvin
_________________
To the Honorable Senate and House of Representatives of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts in General
Court assembled:
The undersigned legislators and/or citizens respectfully petition for the adoption of the accompanying bill:
An Act requiring licensure for use of graduated electronic decelerators.
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PETITION OF:
NAME:DISTRICT/ADDRESS :DATE ADDED:William C. Galvin6th Norfolk1/13/2025 1 of 2
HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 729 FILED ON: 1/13/2025
HOUSE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . No. 240
By Representative Galvin of Canton, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 240) of
William C. Galvin relative to licensure for the use of graduated electronic decelerators to alter
behavior of persons with disabilities. Children, Families and Persons with Disabilities.
[SIMILAR MATTER FILED IN PREVIOUS SESSION
SEE HOUSE, NO. 170 OF 2023-2024.]
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts
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In the One Hundred and Ninety-Fourth General Court
(2025-2026)
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An Act requiring licensure for use of graduated electronic decelerators.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court assembled, and by the authority
of the same, as follows:
1 Chapter 111 of the General Laws is hereby amended by adding the following section:-
2 Section 244. (a) As used in this section, the term “graduated electronic decelerator” shall
3mean a device that applies a noxious electrical stimulus or electric shock to the skin of a person
4with a disability to alter behavior.
5 (b) The department shall promulgate rules and regulations for the training, certification
6and licensing of individuals to administer or cause to be administered a procedure using a
7graduated electronic decelerator. The regulations shall require a comprehensive training program
8that includes, but is not limited to: (i) appropriate and necessary use; (ii) prohibited uses; (iii)
9alternatives to use, including de-escalation strategies, positive reinforcement, non-aversive 2 of 2
10measures and less intrusive procedures; (iv) safe administration, including ways to minimize
11pain and injury; (v) health and safety risks of use and misuse; (vi) signs of abuse; (vii) evidence
12of trauma; (viii) requirements for approval and supervision of use; (ix) penalties for unauthorized
13use or misuse; (x) policies and procedures for reporting of unauthorized use or misuse; and (xi)
14an examination approved by the department testing the applicant’s professional skills, judgment
15and fitness to administer or cause to be used a graduated electronic decelerator.
16 (c) No person shall administer, cause to be administered or supervise a person who
17administers a procedure using a graduated electronic decelerator without a license. No person
18with a license shall misuse, cause a graduated electronic decelerator to be misused or supervise a
19person who misuses a graduated electronic decelerator.
20 (d) No entity operating within the commonwealth shall permit an individual without a
21license granted pursuant to this section to administer or cause to be administered a procedure
22using a graduated electronic decelerator. No entity operating within the commonwealth shall
23permit an individual with a license granted pursuant to this section to misuse or cause a
24graduated electronic decelerator to be misused.
25 (e) A violation of this section shall be punishable of a fine not to exceed $500.