Massachusetts Legislature Votes To Remove Offensive Disability Terms From Laws
On Monday, June 8, 2026, the Massachusetts legislature passed a bill to remove offensive disability terms from the state's General Laws and sent the measure to Gov. Maura Healey.[1]
The 61-page bill revises wording in 346 sections and replaces terms such as "handicapped," "disabled," "crippled," "deformed" and "retarded" with person-first language.[1] Top Democrats including Sen. Pat Jehlen, Senate President Karen Spilka and House Speaker Ronald J. Mariano publicly backed the changes as a modernization effort.[1]
Sen. Pat Jehlen and other supporters framed the bill as an effort to modernize statutes and remove language long regarded as offensive.[1]
If Gov. Healey signs the bill, it will update statutory language in 346 sections across state law.[1]
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📌 Key Facts
- On Monday, June 8, 2026, the Massachusetts legislature passed a bill updating disability-related terminology in state General Laws.
- The 61-page bill revises wording in 346 sections, replacing terms like "handicapped," "disabled," "crippled," "deformed" and "retarded" with person-first language.
- The legislation now heads to Democratic Gov. Maura Healey’s desk for consideration.
- Top Democrats including Sen. Pat Jehlen, Senate President Karen Spilka and House Speaker Ronald J. Mariano publicly backed the changes as a modernization effort.
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