For years, the disability community has worked to end torture at the Judge Rotenberg Center. While we work towards an FDA ban on the use of electric shocks, there is critical state-level legislation that would affect the Judge Rotenberg Center. The New York state legislature has reintroduced a bill that would stop the state from sending any more people to the JRC.

The JRC is the only institution in the country to use electric shock devices for behavior modification on students with intellectual and developmental disabilities, a practice which has been classified as torture by the United Nations. In addition, most of the “students” at the Judge Rotenberg Center are Black and brown, contributing to harmful trends where Black and brown folks with disabilities are more likely to be institutionalized, rather than taught and accommodated in their own schools and communities. The New York State bill is named after Andre McCollins, who has spoken out along with his family after he was tortured at the Judge Rotenberg Center.

More of the JRC’s residents come from New York than any other state. If the Andre McCollins Bill passes, more New York residents cannot be sent to the JRC, which is a huge and important step towards shutting down the JRC for good.

Andre’s Bill was introduced last year, but unfortunately, the State legislature went on recess before it could be passed. This time, let’s make sure to let the legislators know we expect this bill to be a priority!

Here’s how to get involved:

If you are a resident of New York, call your State Senator. You can find your State Senator here. [[link removed]] Ask them to support Andre;s Law now that it has been introduced. It is Senate Bill S900.

Next, call your assembly member. Andre’s Law is Assembly Bill A.1166. You can find your assembly member here. [[link removed]]

When you call, you can use our script:

My name is [your full name] , and I am from [your city] . I am a constituent of [Senator/Assembly member NAME]. I’m calling to ask [Senator/Assembly member NAME] to support Andre’s Law, Senate Bill S900/ Assembly Bill A.1166, to stop the state from sending any more people to the Judge Rotenberg Center. The JRC is the only institution in the country to use electric shock devices for behavior modification on students with intellectual and developmental disabilities, a practice which has been classified as torture by the United Nations.

New York banned aversives like electric shock in 2005, but there is currently no ban on sending people out of state to places that use aversives. This bill would close that loophole. Plus, there is no reason to send people out of state, since there are community-based educational options in New York that don’t take people away from their homes and families.

Can I count on the [Senator/Assembly member] ’s support for Andre’s Law?

If you aren’t a resident of New York, share this call to action [[link removed]]! There will be other ways you can help #StopTheShock, but right now, we need your help to reach New York residents who can make their voices heard.

Our community can’t wait -- we must take this critical step toward ending the torturous practice of shocks as behavioral control, and towards closing the Judge Rotenberg Center. We know this fight has been a long, difficult path – but it’s not too late. Your advocacy will move us towards the day when we #StopTheShock for good. We need our New York members to call your state legislators! Please share this call to action with any resident of New York so we can make our voices heard.


Autistic Self Advocacy Network
PO Box 66122
Washington, DC 20035
United States
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