Ryan IMO 250.148 requires it.
250.148 Continuity and Attachment of Equipment Grounding Conductors to Boxes.
Where circuit conductors are spliced within a box, or terminated on equipment within or supported by a box, any separate equipment grounding conductors associated with those circuit conductors shall be spliced or joined within the box or to the box with devices suitable for the use. Connections depending solely on solder shall not be used. Splices shall be made in accordance with 110.14(B) except that insulation shall not be required. The arrangement of grounding connections shall be such that the disconnection or the removal of a receptacle, luminaire (fixture), or other device fed from the box will not interfere with or interrupt the grounding continuity.
Exception: The equipment grounding conductor permitted in 250.146(D) shall not be required to be connected to the other equipment grounding conductors or to the box.
I see spliced or joined to the box, either way they end up eclectically connected.
I also would ask what exception would be needed for if the main part of the section did not require all grounding conductors to be joined?
Bob
EDIT:
That should be
electrically not
eclectically [This message has been edited by iwire (edited 10-27-2004).]