By Bob Katzen

The Senate approved and sent to the House a new version of a bill that would modernize and remove archaic language in state laws to reflect the evolution of terminology relating to persons with disabilities. The House and Senate had already approved different versions of the measure, and this new third version, drafted by the Senate, now goes to the House for consideration.

Changes include replacing “handicapped persons” with “persons with disabilities;” replacing “the mentally retarded” with “persons with an intellectual disability;” replacing “retarded children” with “children with an intellectual disability;” and replacing “disabled American veterans” with “American veterans with disabilities.”

“Several years ago, a friend told me how disrespected she felt when people called her ‘handicapped,’” said Senate sponsor Sen. Pat Jehlen (D-Somerville). “We realized there are many state laws that use that outdated language, as well as words like ‘retardation.’ When people realized how offensive the ‘R’ word is, the Department of Mental Retardation was renamed the Department of Developmental Services. So, I filed [this] bill to replace [other] words from state law and use more respectful terminology. Language is not stagnant. It changes as needs, awareness and times change. It is essential that we keep up with these changes. And, as a commonwealth, we are overdue in making those changes.”