MassAbility

Massachusetts lawmakers passed a bill to remove outdated and offensive language related to disabilities from the state's General Laws, replacing terms like 'handicapped' and 'disabled' with more respectful phrasing. The legislation, introduced by Sen. Pat Jehlen, updates 346 legal sections and will be signed by Gov. Maura Healey.

Massachusetts lawmakers passed a bill to remove offensive and outdated language describing people with disabilities from the state's General Laws. The legislation replaces terms like 'handicapped,' 'disabled,' and the 'r-word' with respectful alternatives such as 'person with a disability' and updates 346 sections of state law. The bill now awaits approval from Gov. Maura Healey.