Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Archaic Language topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Panel Backs Bill to Remove Archaic Language from State Law
Summary
Advocates and lawmakers urged the committee to replace outdated terms such as the "R-word" in Massachusetts General Laws with respectful terminology consistent with federal changes.
Lawmakers and disability advocates told the Joint Committee on Children, Families and Persons with Disabilities that Massachusetts should remove archaic and demeaning language from state law, following the lead of the federal change known as Rosa's Law.
Rep. Mike Garbally and others presented House 232 (Senate 137), which would replace terms such as "handicapped" and the derogatory term historically used in statutes with modern, person-first language such as "intellectual disability". Senator Jalen and several witnesses recounted the prevalence of offensive terms in the General Laws and urged swift passage.
Maura Sullivan, chief executive officer of The Arc of Massachusetts, called the change "a demonstration of a genuine commitment to full inclusion for people with disabilities," and Josie Burkes Abbott of the Massachusetts Developmental Disabilities Council invoked Rosa's Law and testimony from advocates to argue language shapes treatment. Several members noted that prior legislative efforts lowered the number of statutory sections with outdated terms and that passage would align Massachusetts with roughly 40 other states that have made similar updates.
Supporters emphasized the change is not merely symbolic. They said removing derogatory terms reduces stigma and improves respect in official documents and interactions with state agencies.
The committee did not vote. Proponents asked the committee to move the bill forward to the legislature for final action.
