Massachusetts bill would remove ‘r-word’ and ‘handicapped’ from state laws

The Massachusetts legislature has passed a bill that would remove “outdated and offensive language” used to describe people with disabilities in the state’s General Laws.

The measure would eliminate several terms, such as “handicapped,” “disabled,” and the “r-word,” and replace language such as “persons with disabilities” and “person with an intellectual or developmental disability.”

The bill, introduced by Democratic state Sen. Pat Jehlen and co-introduced with 17 petitioners, now heads to Democratic Gov. Maura Healey’s desk.

The 61-page bill updates 346 sections of Massachusetts law.

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“The language is constantly changing. And it’s changing because of the activism of people who have been ignored and belittled for too long,” Democratic state Sen. Pat Jehlen, the Senate’s lead sponsor of the legislation, said in a statement. he said. “When people told us they were insulted and offended by the use of outdated words, we worked to change the legal language. It took a long time because we kept finding more examples of offensive language. Language and activism will continue to evolve and there will always be more work to be done, but this is a huge step forward in terms of respect.”

Some of the updated wording in the bill includes “person with a disability” instead of “person with a disability,” “disability” instead of “handicapped,” and “person with an intellectual or developmental disability” instead of “retarded.”

The legislation also removes terms such as “crippled” and “deformed” when referring to individuals with disabilities.

The measure would eliminate several terms such as “disabled,” “disabled,” and the “r-word.” (Lindsey Nicholson/UCG/Universal Images Group)

“Hearing impaired” was changed to “deaf or hard of hearing” and “chronically ill” was changed to “people with chronic illness”.

Additionally, the bill amends certain statutory definitions, including amending the current definition of “caregiver,” which describes an individual or organization responsible for “a person with a disability,” to use “a person with a disability.”

“When dusty and dangerous remnants of a bygone era obscure our laws, it creates the potential for real harm to residents today,” Democratic Senate President Karen Spilka said in a statement. he said. “Thanks to the voices of advocates like former Senate staffer Melissa Reilly and the leadership of Senator Jehlen and Senator Kennedy, the Legislature has taken action to ensure that our laws better represent who we are in 21st century Massachusetts.”

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The bill now heads to Democratic Gov. Maura Healey’s desk. (Adam Glanzman/Bloomberg via Getty Images)

“With a White House that glorifies and seemingly misses the days when many Americans were discriminated against because of who they are, now is the time to ensure that our state laws respect and support the rights and dignity of our residents,” he added.

The passage of this measure follows 2024 legislation that changed the name of the Massachusetts Rehabilitation Commission to MassAbility; State officials argued it was indicative of a broader effort to modernize disability services and encourage inclusion. This law also reflected a broader move away from terms that state officials described as outdated or offensive.

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“As lawmakers, we know that words matter,” said Democratic House Speaker Ronald J. Mariano. “This legislation is our latest effort to ensure that our state laws do not use obsolete words that carry negative connotations, as well as reminders of past injustices.”

The bill passed with broad legislative support, including unanimous votes in both chambers.

Fox News Digital has reached out to the Massachusetts GOP for comment.