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Senate unanimously advances bill to replace derogatory terms in Massachusetts law
Summary
The Massachusetts Senate voted unanimously to advance S.137, “An Act dignifying individuals with intellectual or developmental disabilities,” which would replace hundreds of outdated, offensive terms in the General Laws with modern, person‑first language; an amendment adding “deaf or hard of hearing” language was also adopted.
The Massachusetts Senate on Monday ordered S.137, An Act dignifying individuals with intellectual or developmental disabilities, to a third reading after adopting amendments that broaden the bill’s language updates and remove archaic terms from state law. Sponsor Senator Patricia D. Jalen asked that the vote be taken by a call of the yeas and nays; the measure was passed to be engrossed in a unanimous roll call.
The bill would replace hundreds of references in the Massachusetts General Laws that advocates and lawmakers described as outdated and hurtful. “Words are important. Language changes. And we should use language that respects the people it refers to and listen to them. Nothing about us without us,” Senator Patricia D. Jalen said in opening remarks.
Why it matters: Backers said the…
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