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CANTON, Mass. (WBZ NewsRadio) -- The U.S. Court of Appeals has ruled that the Judge Rotenberg Education Center can continue using electric shock devices.
In March 2020, the federal appeals court overturned The U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s ban on electrical stimulation devices (EDSs) used for self-injurious or aggressive behavior.
Judge Rotenberg Education Center in Canton is the only place these shock devices are permitted. The school serves those with severe disabilities, such as non-verbal autism.
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The Judge Rotenberg Center said in a statement, "The (Graduated Electronic Decelerator) is a treatment of last resort, and its recipients are at risk of grievous bodily harm, or even death, without it. With the treatment, these residents can continue to participate in enriching experiences, enjoy visits with their families and, most importantly, live in safety and freedom from self-injurious and aggressive behaviors."
In a 2-1 ruling, the US Court of Appeals stated "the FDA lacks the statutory authority to ban a medical device for a particular use."
The FDA previously found that between 45 to 50 students, out of the 275 residing in the school, received electric shocks.
WBZ NewsRadio's James Rojas (@JamesRojasWBZ) reports: