S.B. 218, An Act Prohibiting Involuntary Sterilization of Persons with Disabilities

As an organization that strongly supports reproductive freedom and bodily autonomy for all people, the ACLU of Connecticut finds it alarming that the practice of involuntary sterilization is still used in Connecticut. All people, including people with disabilities, deserve freedom from forced, life-altering medical procedures. The decision to undergo sterilization is a serious one that should be made by an individual, not a court. Yet under current state law, the government can impose sterilization upon a person with disabilities who is under guardianship or conservatorship without that person's consent. We urge the legislature to support this bill to require the government to obtain informed consent from a person with disabilities who is under guardianship or conservatorship before that person undergoes sterilization.