Mass. senator files bill to replace 'hearing impaired' with 'deaf or hard of hearing' in statutes

Sen. Cynthia Stone Creem filed Senate Bill No. 2120 on Jan. 14, 2025, to remove the phrase “hearing impaired” from multiple places in the Massachusetts General Laws and replace it with either “deaf or hard of hearing” or “hard of hearing.” The measure, titled “An Act relative to removing the term hearing impaired from the general laws,” lists specific amendments to state statutes, including sections in chapters 6, 32A, 129, 151B, 175, 176A, 176B, 176G and 221. The filing document states the bill was referred to the Senate Committee on State Administration and Regulatory Oversight. If passed as written, the bill would replace the phrase “hearing–impaired” or “hearing impaired” with the words “deaf or hard of hearing” in sections that the filing names, and in two instances replace the phrase with “hard of hearing.” For example, the filing amends Section 196 of Chapter 6 and Section 23 of Chapter 32A to substitute “deaf or hard of hearing,” and amends Section 1 of Chapter 129 and Section 92A of Chapter 221 to substitute “hard of hearing.” The bill filing includes a cross-reference to a similar matter from the prior legislative session (Senate No. 1983 of 2023–2024). The document does not include sponsor floor remarks or stated legislative findings; it records the sponsor and the text of the proposed statutory substitutions but does not show committee action or a legislative vote. The next formal step reflected in the filing is referral to the Senate Committee on State Administration and Regulatory Oversight for consideration.