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On April 3, 2024, the Massachusetts House of Representatives passed two bills that update the Massachusetts General Laws (MGL) by removing out-of-date and offensive terms related to persons with disabilities, and by renaming the Massachusetts Rehabilitation Commission “MassAbility.”
“As lawmakers, we know that words matter,” said Speaker of the House Ronald J. Mariano (D-Quincy). “This legislation is our latest effort to ensure that our state laws do not use antiquated words that carry negative connotations, words that also serve as a reminder of past injustices. I would like to thank Chairman Livingstone and the entire Joint Committee of Children, Families and Persons with Disabilities, as well as Governor Healey and the bill sponsors, for their work on this important legislation.”
“The name ‘MassAbility’ will help to reduce stigma and better reflect the strengths and capabilities of the people we serve,” said Governor Maura Healey. “We’re grateful to Speaker Mariano and the House for advancing this critical legislation.”
An Act relative to individuals with intellectual or developmental disabilities (H.4396) removes out-of-date and offensive language from the MGL when referencing people with disabilities. The language in the bill removes all variations of outdated terms, such as “handicapped,” “disabled” and “retarded.” The bill replaces these terms with current terminology, such as “person with a disability” and “person with an intellectual disability.” Additionally, the term “autistic” is replaced with “autism” in reference to Autism Awareness Month. Originally filed by Governor Healey, the House also passed An Act to rename the Massachusetts Rehabilitation Commission, MassAbility, to reflect the self-determination and limitless possibilities of people with disabilities (H.4528) and to update the outdated terms included in its enabling statute. On April 4 the Senate referred H.4528 to its Committee on Ways and Means and H.4396 to its Committee on Rules.
“Removing out-of-date, antiquated and offensive language from the Massachusetts General Laws to describe people with disabilities is an important step in ensuring that our values, as a Commonwealth, are also reflected in statute,” said Representative Jay D. Livingstone (D-Boston), who is House Chair of the Legislature’s Joint Committee on Children, Families and Persons with Disabilities. “As legislators, it is our job to help make sure that people with intellectual or developmental disabilities feel included, accepted and embraced for who they are, and this is an important step in doing so. I am appreciative of all those who have worked on this effort before me who helped make this possible. I’d also like to thank the Speaker, Chairman Michlewitz, Chairman Honan, and all of my colleagues in the House for their support on this important issue.”
The Joint Committee on Children, Families and Persons with Disabilities heard from many advocacy organizations in the disability community in support of the bill, and all changes were vetted with relevant agencies, including the Executive Office of Health and Human Services, the Executive Office of Education and the Massachusetts Commission Against Discrimination.
“Today the House of Representatives takes a transformational step towards a more inclusive Commonwealth,” said Representative Sean Garballey (D-Arlington), a lead sponsor of the bill. “By removing outdated words like ‘handicapped’, ‘disabled’, and the ‘R Word’ from MA General laws, we make a collective statement that Massachusetts is a place for all.”
“Words are powerful. It is so important that the language in our laws represents those that they are meant to protect, support, and serve. By removing out-of-date, antiquated, and offensive language from the Massachusetts General Laws used to describe people with disabilities, we are taking a step in the right direction to make our Commonwealth a more inclusive and accepting place for all who call Massachusetts home,” said Representative Jessica Giannino (D-Revere), who is House Vice Chair of the Joint Committee on Children, Families and Persons with Disabilities. “I am thankful for the leadership of Speaker Mariano, Chairman Michlewitz, Chairman Livingstone, Chairman Garballey and all my colleagues in the House for their support on this important issue.”
“I am happy that this important legislation unanimously passed the House of Representatives today. I congratulate Rep. Giannino, as Vice Chair of the Children, Families and Persons with Disabilities Committee, in her important leadership role to make this bill a reality. Words matter and this bill sends a large message to the ability community that we hear you,” said Representative Jeffrey Rosario Turco (D-Winthrop).
