Earlier today Governor Healey signed An Act Dignifying Individuals with Intellectual or Developmental Disabilities.
The legislation’s purpose, according to Governor Healey, is to eliminate “outdated and offensive language in Massachusetts law related to people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.”
Among other changes, the legislation replaces “mentally retarded” with “person with an intellectual or developmental disability,” and changes “disabled person” to “person with a disability.”
The governor’s blog notes that the changes “do not affect eligibility for any programs, services or benefits.” Instead the legislation aims to “ensure that Massachusetts law reflects modern standards and treats people with the respect they deserve.”