Massachusetts Removed Offensive Language From State Laws
The new legislation replaces outdated, derogatory terms in over 350 sections of the law with respectful, person-first language.
Updated on Sept. 25, 2026 in Special Needs
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Governor Maura Healey has signed new legislation to modernize state statutes by removing offensive terminology and outdated descriptors. The bill, which passed the legislature earlier this year, replaces harmful language in hundreds of legal sections to better reflect and respect residents with disabilities.
Why it matters
Updating legal language is a critical step in reducing stigma and ensuring that state policy aligns with contemporary standards of dignity and inclusion. By replacing archaic terms like the r-word with person-first phrasing, the state ensures its laws honor the humanity of individuals with disabilities.
Legislative analysis confirms the bill updates language in 350 sections of the Massachusetts general laws. While 400 sections were initially identified as containing offensive terminology, the remaining sections are still being reviewed for future technical adjustments.
The players
Maura Healey
The Governor of Massachusetts who signed the bill into law.
Patricia Jehlen
A Massachusetts State Senator who initiated the effort to update discriminatory language 22 years ago.
The details
The law systematically scrubs outdated descriptors from the state's legal code, such as removing the term hearing-impaired in favor of deaf or hard of hearing. It also formalizes name changes for state agencies, following the transition of the Department of Mental Retardation to the Department of Disability Services and the Massachusetts Rehabilitation Commission to MassAbility. This process ensures that disability status is framed through identity-affirming, person-first language rather than clinical or derogatory labels.
Timeline
22 years ago: Senator Jehlen filed the initial bill to remove offensive words.
Earlier this year: The Massachusetts legislature passed the bill.
September 25, 2026: Governor Healey signed the bill into law.
Health Landscape
This move is part of a broader shift in public health policy toward normalizing inclusive terminology that prioritizes the person over a diagnosis. It builds on previous institutional shifts like the renaming of the Department of Mental Retardation to the Department of Disability Services.
This change ensures that state interactions and legal documents now use language that respects individual dignity, potentially reducing the stress associated with accessing services. Residents should note that while laws are now updated, public documents or forms may be transitioned to the new terminology over time.
The takeaway
Language in public policy sets the tone for how society values the lived experience of people with disabilities. Readers should advocate for inclusive language in their own care settings and consult with their physician or case manager if they encounter outdated terminology in clinical or support plans.
Further reading
For more on evolving standards of care and support for individuals with disabilities, visit our Special Needs section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by The Somerville Times.
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