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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S.137, “An Act dignifying individuals with intellectual or developmental disabilities,” which would replace hundreds of outdated, offensive terms in the General Laws with modern, person‑first language; an amendment adding “deaf or hard of hearing” language was also adopted.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bill would replace hundreds of references in the Massachusetts General Laws that advocates and lawmakers described as outdated and hurtful.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 bill is meant to align statutory language with contemporary, respectful terminology and to reflect the dignity of people with disabilities across areas such as health care, education, transportation and housing. Senator Edward J. Kennedy, speaking as chair of the Joint Committee on Children, Families, and Persons with Disabilities, said the bill removes or updates “362 references to language that is not only outdated but deeply hurtful” and called the change part of years of partnership with advocates.
Supporters emphasized the bill’s roots in long-term advocacy. Melissa Riley, identified in remarks as a persistent advocate and self‑advocate, was singled out by multiple senators for her contribution to the effort. The Arc of Massachusetts was also thanked for its work on the measure. Senator Mark C. Montigny and Senator James B. Eldridge each described the bill as overdue and praised Jalen’s persistence over many legislative sessions.
Amendments and actions: Senator Cynthia Stone Cream offered an amendment adopted by the chamber that removes the phrase “hearing impaired” from the General Laws and replaces it with “deaf or hard of hearing,” citing outreach from high school students and the National Association of the Deaf. Senator Joan B. Lovely filed a corrective amendment that was also adopted. After the amendments were adopted, the Senate ordered the bill to a third reading and then passed it to be engrossed; the clerk recorded 40 affirmative votes and no negatives.
Discussion versus decision: The transcript shows extended floor debate and personal testimonies in support of the statutory language changes; those debates culminated in the formal adoption of two floor amendments and a unanimous roll call to advance the bill. The chamber did not record any dissenting floor votes on the engrossment.
What happens next: The bill was passed to be engrossed by the Senate; further legislative steps (final passage, concurrence by the House, or the governor’s action) are not recorded in the transcript.
Details and context: Sponsors and senators repeatedly tied the measure to disability pride month and the 35th anniversary of the federal Americans with Disabilities Act, framing the language updates as one part of a broader push for equity and inclusion in state law. The sponsors noted the measure touches many parts of the code where older terminology remained in place.
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