Electroconvulsive Treatment for Minors

Current law prohibits electroconvulsive treatment (ECT) from being performed on a minor under 16 years of age. The bill authorizes ECT to be performed on a minor who is under 16 years of age only if:

• 2 individuals licensed to practice medicine in Colorado and specializing in psychiatry approve the ECT;
• Other less-invasive treatments have failed;
• ECT is medically necessary to treat life-threatening malignant catatonia;
• ECT is performed by at least one physician, or the physician's designee, who is trained and credentialed in ECT; and
• The minor's parent or guardian consents to ECT.
  (Note: This summary applies to the reengrossed version of this bill as introduced in the second house.)