Governor Healey Signs Legislation Modernizing State Law and Promoting Respect for People with Disabilities

Governor Healey Signs Legislation Modernizing State Law and Promoting Respect for People with Disabilities 

 

BOSTON – Governor Maura Healey today signed An Act Dignifying Individuals with Intellectual or Developmental Disabilities, legislation that updates outdated and offensive language in Massachusetts law related to people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. The new law replaces antiquated terminology throughout state statute with modern language that reflects Massachusetts’ commitment to respect, inclusion and equal treatment 

"Our laws should reflect the dignity and worth of every person,” said Governor Maura Healey. “It is so important that we remove outdated and offensive language in our laws because government is about serving everyone – and we need to make sure that all of our residents feel valued and respected. I'm grateful to the advocates, families and legislators whose work helped make this important change possible." 

"People with intellectual and developmental disabilities deserve to see themselves reflected in laws that treat them with respect,” said Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll. “This legislation is an important step forward, and it sends a clear message that every person belongs and deserves to be valued." 

"The language in our laws matters because it shapes how people are treated," said Senate President Karen E. Spilka (D-Ashland). "Removing these outdated terms and replacing them with person-first language is a statement about Massachusetts values at a moment when disability rights face real hostility at the federal level. I thank Governor Healey for her signature and applaud Senators Jehlen and Kennedy and the advocates who have long championed this change for making it possible." 

“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 want to thank Governor Healey for signing these important reforms into law, as well as my colleagues in the House and partners in the Senate for recognizing the need for the changes that this legislation makes.” 

The legislation updates references throughout state law, replacing terms that define individuals by their disabilities with language that recognizes people first. Among other changes, it replaces terms such as "mentally retarded" with "person with an intellectual or developmental disability," replaces references to a "disabled person" with "person with a disability," and removes language that defines individuals by their disability.  

The changes do not affect eligibility for any programs, services or benefits but ensure that Massachusetts law reflects modern standards and treats people with the respect they deserve. 

The legislation was championed by advocates, self-advocates, families and lawmakers who have worked for years to update language in state law and promote greater inclusion for people with disabilities. 

“The Arc of Massachusetts is grateful to the Governor and Legislature for passing the archaic language bill and thereby affirming that harmful words about people with disabilities have no place in our lexicon,” said Maura Sullivan, Chief Executive Officer, The Arc of Massachusetts. “Every individual in our Commonwealth deserves to be treated with dignity and respect, and this new law will help us to achieve this ideal.  We are grateful to the Healey-Driscoll administration for its unwavering support for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities and autism. With the Governor’s signature, Massachusetts has taken a giant leap forward for civil liberties and inclusion.” 

"Words are important. Language is constantly changing. When people tell us they feel insulted by the use of outdated words, we should listen to them and use language that respects them,” said Senator Patricia D. Jehlen (D-Somerville). “Language and activism will continue to evolve, and there is always more work to do, but this is a gigantic step forward in respect. Thanks to the many, many people who made this possible.” 

“I am proud that Governor Healey has signed this legislation into law today, taking a transformational step towards a more inclusive Commonwealth,” said Representative Sean Garballey (D-Arlington), sponsor of the House 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. I’d like to thank Speaker Mariano, Chair Michlewitz, Chair Livingstone, Chair Finn, Senator Jehlen, my colleagues in the House, and our partners at The ARC of Massachusetts, Special Olympics, and many other disability organizations for their steadfast advocacy and support.” 

"I am proud to support this legislation and take this long-overdue step toward ensuring the laws of the Commonwealth reflect the dignity and humanity of every person,” said State Representative Michael Finn (D-West Springfield). “Our General Laws still contain outdated language that demeans our neighbors with intellectual and developmental disabilities, and that language has no place in the statutes of a state that has always led on civil rights and inclusion. Updating these words is an affirmation that Massachusetts stands for the respect and dignity of all its people.” 

“An Act Dignifying Individuals with Intellectual or Developmental Disabilities represents a significant step forward—not only in how we talk about disability, but in how we affirm the value and dignity of every person across the Commonwealth,” said State Senator Robyn Kennedy (D-Worcester) Senate Chair of the Joint Committee on Children, Families, and Persons with Disabilities. “The laws of our Commonwealth will no longer have language that is not only outdated but deeply hurtful. Now with modern, person-first language that centers respect, humanity, and inclusion our laws will reflect our values. With the Governor signing this law today, Massachusetts is once again taking a clear and necessary stand at a time when disability rights are facing growing challenges at the federal level.” 

“Removing out-of-date and offensive language from the Massachusetts General Laws to describe people with disabilities is an important step in ensuring that our values are also reflected in our statutes,” said Representative Jay D. Livingstone (D-Boston), House Chair of the 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.” 

"For more than a decade, my former Office Assistant Melissa Reilly poured her heart into passing the archaic language bill because she understood better than anyone the power words have to either harm or uplift. Through countless meetings with legislators, testimony before committees, and sharing her own story to the press, Melissa showed that dignity and inclusion are not just abstract values but values that shape people's everyday lives," said State Senator Jamie Eldridge (D-Marlborough). "I am so grateful to Governor Healey for signing this important bill into law. By eliminating stigmatizing language in the Massachusetts General Laws, we are affirming the dignity of people with disabilities and expanding opportunities for fuller, happier lives. Thank you to the disability community and advocates for their years of work, and to Senator Pat Jehlen and Representative Sean Garballey for championing this legislation for over a decade." 

This legislation builds on the Healey-Driscoll Administration's ongoing efforts to advance inclusion and accessibility for people with disabilities. Over the past three years, the administration has renamed the Massachusetts Rehabilitation Commission to MassAbility, re-established the Governor's Special Advisory Commission on Disability Policy, advanced statewide digital accessibility initiatives and supported efforts to ensure state government reflects the dignity, strengths and contributions of people with disabilities.