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HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 4666 FILED ON: 11/2/2023
HOUSE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . No. 4161
OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR
COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS
STATE HOUSE · BOSTON, MA 02133
(617) 725-4000
MAURA T. HEALEY
GOVERNOR
KIMBERLEY DRISCOLL
LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR
November 2, 2023
To the Honorable Senate and House of Representatives,
I am filing for your consideration a bill entitled, “An Act to Rename the Massachusetts
Rehabilitation Commission, MassAbility, in order to Reflect the Self Determination and
Limitless Possibilities of People with Disabilities.”
For many decades, people with disabilities have challenged mainstream culture to
recognize disability not as the whole of who they are, but as one important aspect of their lives.
This movement has inspired the Massachusetts Rehabilitation Commission (MRC) since its
inception in 1956, shaping the values and programs of an agency committed to breaking down
social barriers and expanding what is possible for people with disabilities across the
Commonwealth.
Since 1956, MRC has provided vocational rehabilitation, job placement, independent
living, and community-based services to empower and support people with disabilities to live life
on their own terms, with equal rights, diversity, and accessibility as the priority. MRC currently
serves approximately 20,000 individuals within the Commonwealth and is leading innovation
through the NextGen program, a STEM focused rapid employment model for young adults with
disabilities.
While expressing pride in MRC’s work and mission, members of the disability
community have also long expressed concern with MRC’s name. The term “rehabilitation” has
come to carry connotations that can feel stigmatizing or misleading. I believe that the name
MassAbility is best suited not only to represent the values and mission of the agency, but to
embody the self-determination, competence, and potential for success intrinsic to all people with
disabilities. 2 of 2
This legislation changes the name of the Massachusetts Rehabilitation Commission to
MassAbility and removes uses of the term “handicap,” “handicapped,” and “retarded,” replacing
them with “barrier,” “person with a disability,” and “person with intellectual disabilities.” The
legislation further repeals G.L. c. 6 § 78A, providing for the administration of an antiquated, and
now non-existent, program for extended sheltered employment for people with disabilities.
MassAbility is more than just a new name. It is an opportunity to demonstrate our
commitment to tearing down systemic barriers for people with disabilities in the workforce and
in our communities. Changing the words we use when we speak about disability is one more step
toward building more inclusive and equitable communities that amplify the inherent worth and
potential of all their members.
For all these reasons, I urge your favorable consideration of this legislation.
Respectfully submitted,
Maura T. Healey,
Governor 1 of 13
HOUSE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . No. 4161
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts
_______________
In the One Hundred and Ninety-Third General Court
(2023-2024)
_______________
An Act to rename the Massachusetts Rehabilitation Commission, Massability, to reflect the self-
determination and limitless possibilities of people with disabilities.
Whereas, The deferred operation of this act would tend to defeat its purpose, which is to
promote equity and increase opportunities for persons with disabilities by renaming the
commission and updating language used to more accurately reflect the values and core mission
of the agency, therefore it is hereby declared to be an emergency law, necessary for the
immediate preservation of the public convenience.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court assembled, and by the authority
of the same, as follows:
1 SECTION 1. Section 17 of chapter 6 of the General Laws, as appearing in the 2022
2Official Edition, is hereby amended by striking out, in line 13, the words “Massachusetts
3Rehabilitation Commission” and inserting in place thereof the following word:- MassAbility.
4 SECTION 2. Section 74 of chapter 6 of the General Laws, as so appearing, is hereby
5amended by striking out the title and inserting in place thereof the following title:- MassAbility;
6establishment; expenditure of funds.
7 SECTION 3. Said section 74 of chapter 6, as so appearing, is hereby further amended by
8striking out, in lines 2, 6, and 9, the word “handicapped persons” and inserting in place thereof,
9in each instance, the following: persons with disabilities. 2 of 13
10 SECTION 4. Said section 74 of chapter 6, as so appearing, is hereby further amended by
11striking out, in lines 2 to 3, the words “Massachusetts Rehabilitation Commission” and inserting
12in place thereof the following word:- MassAbility.
13 SECTION 5. Section 75 of chapter 6 of the General Laws, as so appearing, is hereby
14amended by striking out the title and inserting in place thereof the following title:- MassAbility;
15commissioner; employees; other offices.
16 SECTION 6. Said section 75 of chapter 6, as so appearing, is hereby further amended by
17striking out, in line 2, the word “rehabilitation” and inserting in place thereof the following
18word:- MassAbility.
19 SECTION 7. Said section 75 of chapter 6, as so appearing, is hereby further amended by
20striking out, in lines 10, 79, and 88, the word “he” and inserting in place thereof, in each
21instance, the following word:- they.
22 SECTION 8. Said section 75 of chapter 6, as so appearing, is hereby further amended by
23striking out, in lines 10, 11, 79, 80, and 82, the word “his” and inserting in place thereof, in each
24instance, the following word: “their”
25 SECTION 9. Said section 75 of chapter 6, as so appearing, is hereby further amended by
26striking out, in line 85, the word “him” and inserting in place thereof the following word:- them.
27 SECTION 10. Section 76 of chapter 6 of the General Laws, as so appearing, is hereby
28amended by striking out the title and inserting in place thereof the following title:- MassAbility;
29advisory council. 3 of 13
30 SECTION 11. Said section 76 of chapter 6, as so appearing, is hereby further amended by
31striking out, in line 7, the word “handicaps” and inserting in place thereof the following words:-
32a disability.
33 SECTION 12. Said section 76 of chapter 6, as so appearing, is hereby further amended by
34striking out, in line 11, the word “his” and inserting in place thereof the following word:- their.
35 SECTION 13. Section 77 of chapter 6 of the General Laws, as so appearing, is hereby
36amended by striking out the title and inserting in place thereof the following title:- MassAbility;
37definitions applicable to Secs. 74 to 84.
38 SECTION 14. Said section 77 of chapter 6, as so appearing, is hereby further amended by
39striking out, in lines 5, 19, 34, and 58 the words “handicapped individual” and inserting in place
40thereof, in each instance, the following words:- person with a disability.
41 SECTION 15. Said section 77 of chapter 6, as so appearing, is hereby further amended by
42striking out, in line 17 the words “handicapped individual’s” and inserting in place thereof, in
43each instance, the following words:- person’s with a disability.
44 SECTION 16. Said section 77 of chapter 6, as so appearing, is hereby further amended by
45striking out, in lines 25, 29 to 30, and 38 the words “handicapped individuals” and inserting in
46place thereof, in each instance, the following words:- persons with disabilities.
47 SECTION 17. Said section 77 of chapter 6, as so appearing, is hereby further amended by
48striking out, in line 45, the word “handicapped” and inserting in place thereof the following
49words:- person with a disability. 4 of 13
50 SECTION 18. Said section 77 of chapter 6, as so appearing, is hereby further amended by
51striking out, in line 49, the words “Handicapped person” and inserting in place thereof the
52following words:- Person with a disability.
53 SECTION 19. Said section 77 of chapter 6, as so appearing, is hereby further amended by
54striking out, in line 51, the word “handicap” and inserting in place thereof the following word:-
55barrier.
56 SECTION 20. Said section 77 of chapter 6, as so appearing, is hereby further amended by
57striking out, in lines 34, 53, and 59, the word “his” and inserting in place thereof, in each
58instance, the following word:- their.
59 SECTION 21. Said section 77 of chapter 6, as so appearing, is hereby further amended by
60striking out lines 42 to 48.
61 SECTION 22. Section 78 of chapter 6 of the General Laws, as so appearing, is hereby
62amended by striking out the title and inserting in place thereof the following title:- MassAbility;
63vocational rehabilitation services; independent living services.
64 SECTION 23. Said section 78 of chapter 6, as so appearing, is hereby further amended by
65striking out, in lines 3 to 4 and 23, the words “handicapped individual” and inserting in place
66thereof, in each instance, the following words:- person with a disability.
67 SECTION 24. Said section 78 of chapter 6, as so appearing, is hereby further amended by
68striking out, in lines 8 to 9, and 16 to 17, the words “handicapped individuals” and inserting in
69place thereof, in each instance, the following words:- persons with disabilities. 5 of 13
70 SECTION 25. Said section 78 of chapter 6, as so appearing, is hereby further amended by
71striking out, in line 15, the words “handicapped individuals” and inserting in place thereof, in
72each instance, the following words:- person with a disability.
73 SECTION 26. Said section 78 of chapter 6, as s appearing, is hereby further amended by
74striking out, in lines 5 and 24, the word “his” and inserting in place thereof, in each instance, the
75following word:- their.
76 SECTION 27. Section 78A of chapter 6 of the General Laws is hereby repealed.
77 SECTION 28. Section 79 of chapter 6 of the General Laws, as so appearing, is hereby
78amended by striking out the title and inserting in place thereof the following title:- MassAbility;
79powers and duties.
80 SECTION 29. Said section 79 of chapter 6, as so appearing, is hereby further amended by
81striking out, in lines 20 and 27, the words “handicapped individuals” and inserting in place
82thereof, in each instance, the following words:- persons with disabilities.
83 SECTION 30. Said section 79 of chapter 6, as so appearing, is hereby further amended by
84striking out, in line 25, the words “handicapped persons” and inserting in place thereof the
85following words:- persons with disabilities.
86 SECTION 31. Said section 79 of chapter 6, as so appearing, is hereby further amended by
87striking out, in line 28, the words “handicapped individual” and inserting in place thereof the
88following words:- person with a disability.
89 SECTION 32. Said section 79 of chapter 6, as so appearing, is hereby further amended by
90striking out, in line 29, the word “his” and inserting in place thereof the following word:- their. 6 of 13
91 SECTION 33. Section 80 of chapter 6 of the General Laws, as so appearing, is hereby
92amended by striking out the title and inserting in place thereof the following title:- MassAbility;
93additional powers and duties.
94 SECTION 34. Section 81 of chapter 6 of the General Laws, as so appearing, is hereby
95amended by striking out the title and inserting in place thereof the following title:- MassAbility
96cooperation with state agencies; agreements.
97 SECTION 35. Said section 81 of chapter 6, as so appearing, is hereby further amended by
98striking out, in lines 8, 10, 14, and 17, the words “handicapped persons” and inserting in place
99thereof, in each instance, the following words:- persons with disabilities.
100 SECTION 36. Section 82 of chapter 6 of the General Laws, as so appearing, is hereby
101amended by striking out the title and inserting in place thereof the following title:- MassAbility;
102federal funds; custodian; expenditure.
103 SECTION 37. Said section 82 of chapter 6, as so appearing, is hereby further amended by
104striking out, in line 5, the words “Massachusetts rehabilitation”.
105 SECTION 38. Section 83 of chapter 6 of the General Laws, as so appearing, is hereby
106amended by striking out the title and inserting in place thereof the following title:- MassAbility;
107gifts to commission; acceptance; investment.
108 SECTION 39. Section 84 of chapter 6 of the General Laws, as so appearing, is hereby
109amended by striking out the title and inserting in place thereof the following title:- MassAbility:
110information or records confidential. 7 of 13
111 SECTION 40. Said section 84 of chapter 6, as so appearing, is hereby further amended by
112striking out, in line 24, the words “handicapped person” and inserting in place thereof the
113following words:- person with a disability.
114 SECTION 41. Said section 84 of chapter 6, as so appearing, is hereby further amended by
115striking out, in lines 12 and 13, the word “his” and inserting in place thereof, in each instance,
116the following word:- their.
117 SECTION 42. Section 105 of chapter 6 of the General Laws, as so appearing, is hereby
118amended by striking out, in line 16, the words “the Massachusetts rehabilitation commission”
119and inserting in place thereof the following word:- MassAbility.
120 SECTION 43. Section 125 of chapter 6 of the General Laws, as so appearing, is hereby
121amended by striking out, in lines 6 and 36, the word “rehabilitation” and inserting in place
122thereof, in each instance, the following word:- MassAbility.
123 SECTION 44. Section 126 of chapter 6 of the General Laws, as so appearing, is hereby
124amended by striking out, in line 4, the words “the rehabilitation commission” and inserting in
125place thereof the following word:- MassAbility.
126 SECTION 45. Section 128 of chapter 6 of the General Laws, as so appearing, is hereby
127amended by striking out, in lines 4 to 5, the words “the rehabilitation commission” and inserting
128in place thereof the following word:- MassAbility.
129 SECTION 46. Section 189 of chapter 6 of the General Laws, as so appearing, is hereby
130amended by striking out, in line 2, the word “rehabilitation” and inserting in place thereof the
131following word:- MassAbility. 8 of 13
132 SECTION 47. Section 217 of chapter 6 of the General Laws, as so appearing, is hereby
133amended by striking out, in lines 14 to 15, the words “the Massachusetts rehabilitation
134commission” and inserting in place thereof the following word:- MassAbility.
135 SECTION 48. Section 16 of chapter 6A of the General Laws, as so appearing, is hereby
136amended by striking out, in line 32, the words “the Massachusetts rehabilitation commission”
137and inserting in place thereof the following word:- MassAbility.
138 SECTION 49. Section 16F of chapter 6A of the General Laws, as so appearing, is hereby
139amended by striking out, in line 9, the words “Massachusetts Rehabilitation Commission” and
140inserting in place thereof the following word:- MassAbility.
141 SECTION 50. Section 16O of chapter 6A of the General Laws, as so appearing, is hereby
142amended by striking out, in lines 32 to 33, the words “the Massachusetts rehabilitation
143commission” and inserting in place thereof the following word:- MassAbility.
144 SECTION 51. Section 59 of chapter 10 of the General Laws, as so appearing, is hereby
145amended by striking out, in lines 15 and 19, the word “rehabilitation” and inserting in place
146thereof, in each instance, the following word:- MassAbility.
147 SECTION 52. Section 19 of chapter 15A of the General Laws, as so appearing, is hereby
148amended by striking out, in lines 40 to 41, the words “the Massachusetts rehabilitation
149commission” and inserting in place thereof the following word:- MassAbility.
150 SECTION 53. Section 30A of chapter 15A of the General Laws, as so appearing, is
151hereby amended by striking out, in lines 26, 102 to 103, 113, and 160 to 161, the words “the 9 of 13
152Massachusetts rehabilitation commission”, and inserting in place, in each instance, thereof the
153following word:- MassAbility.
154 SECTION 54. Section 2A of chapter 18 of the General Laws, as so appearing, is hereby
155amended by striking out, in lines 14 to 15, 28 to 29, and 44 to 45, the words “the Massachusetts
156rehabilitation commission” and inserting in place thereof, in each instance, the following word:-
157MassAbility.
158 SECTION 55. Section 9 of chapter 18A of the General Laws, as so appearing, is hereby
159amended by striking out, in line 7, the word “rehabilitation” and inserting in place thereof the
160following word:- MassAbility.
161 SECTION 56. Section 4 of chapter 19C of the General Laws, as so appearing, is hereby
162amended by striking out, in lines 29 to 30, the words “the Massachusetts rehabilitation
163commission” and inserting in place thereof the following word:- MassAbility.
164 SECTION 57. Section 13A of chapter 22 of the General Laws, as so appearing, is hereby
165amended by striking out, in line 121, the words “the Massachusetts rehabilitation commission”
166and inserting in place thereof the following word:- MassAbility.
167 SECTION 58. Section 6 of chapter 23H of the General Laws, as so appearing, is hereby
168amended by striking out, in lines 6 to 7, the words “Massachusetts Rehabilitation Commission”
169and inserting in place thereof the following word:- MassAbility.
170 SECTION 59. Section 6 of chapter 23H of the General Laws, as so appearing, is further
171amended by striking out, in line 7, the words “handicapped persons” and inserting in place
172thereof the following words:- persons with disabilities. 10 of 13
173 SECTION 60. Section 7 of chapter 23H of the General Laws, as so appearing, is hereby
174amended by striking out, in lines 8 to 9, the words “the Massachusetts rehabilitation
175commission” and inserting in place thereof the following word:- MassAbility.
176 SECTION 61. Section 2RRRRR of chapter 29 of the General Laws, as so appearing, is
177hereby amended by striking out the title, and inserting in place thereof the following title:-
178MassAbility Vocational Rehabilitation Reimbursement Fund.
179 SECTION 62. Said section 2RRRRR of chapter 29, as so appearing, is hereby further
180amended by striking out, in lines 3 to 4, 5, and 8 to 9, the words “Massachusetts Rehabilitation
181Commission” and inserting in place thereof, in each instance, the following word:- MassAbility.
182 SECTION 63. Section 1 of chapter 31 of the General Laws, as so appearing, is hereby
183amended by striking out, in lines 106 to 107, the words “the Massachusetts rehabilitation
184commission” and inserting in place thereof the following word:- MassAbility.
185 SECTION 64. Section 47 of chapter 31 of the General Laws, as so appearing, is hereby
186amended by striking out, in lines 9 to10, 16, 21 to 22, and 26 to 27, the words “the Massachusetts
187rehabilitation commission” and inserting in place thereof the following word:- MassAbility.
188 SECTION 65. Section 47 of chapter 31 of the General Laws, as so appearing, is further
189amended by striking out, in line 33, the words “mentally retarded person” and inserting in place
190thereof the following words:- person with an intellectual disability.
191 SECTION 66. Section 5B of chapter 32 of the General Laws, as so appearing, is hereby
192amended by striking out, in lines 68 to 69, the words “the Massachusetts rehabilitation
193commission” and inserting in place thereof the following word:- MassAbility. 11 of 13
194 SECTION 67. Subsection (z)(1) of section 6 of chapter 62 of the General Laws, as so
195appearing, is hereby amended by striking out, in lines 1341 to 1342, the words “the
196Massachusetts rehabilitation commission” and inserting in place thereof the following word:-
197MassAbility.
198 SECTION 68. Subsection (z)(2) of section 6 of chapter 62 of the General Laws, as so
199appearing, is hereby amended by striking out, in lines 1351 to 1352, the words “the
200Massachusetts rehabilitation commission” and inserting in place thereof the following word:-
201MassAbility.
202 SECTION 69. Section 38JJ of chapter 63 of the General Laws, as so appearing, is hereby
203amended by striking out, in lines 13 and 22 to 23, the words “the Massachusetts rehabilitation
204commission” and inserting in place thereof the following word:- MassAbility.
205 SECTION 70. Section 12A of chapter 71B of the General Laws, as so appearing, is
206hereby amended by striking out, in lines 17 to 18, the words “sheltered employment,”.
207 SECTION 71. Section 12B of chapter 71B of the General Laws, as so appearing, is
208hereby amended by striking out, in line 15, the words “the Massachusetts rehabilitation
209commission” and inserting in place thereof the following word:- MassAbility.
210 SECTION 72. Section 12C of chapter 71B of the General Laws, as so appearing, is
211hereby amended by striking out, in lines 36 and 42, the words “the Massachusetts rehabilitation
212commission” and inserting in place thereof, in each instance, the following word:- MassAbility. 12 of 13
213 SECTION 73. Section 17 of chapter 71B of the General Laws, as so appearing, is hereby
214amended by striking out, in lines 48, 85, and 97, the words “the Massachusetts rehabilitation
215commission” inserting in place, in each instance, thereof the following word:- MassAbility.
216 SECTION 74. Section 2A of chapter 111 of the General Laws, as so appearing, is hereby
217amended by striking out the title and inserting in place thereof the following title:- Co-operation
218with MassAbility.
219 SECTION 75. Said section 2A of chapter 111, as so appearing, is hereby further amended
220by striking out, in lines 2 to 3, the words “the Massachusetts rehabilitation commission” and
221inserting in place thereof the following word:- MassAbility.
222 SECTION 76. Said section 2A of chapter 111, as so appearing, is hereby further amended
223by striking out, in lines 4 to 5, the words “handicapped person” and inserting in place thereof the
224following words:- person with a disability.
225 SECTION 77. Section 4G of chapter 111 of the General Laws, as so appearing, is hereby
226amended by striking out, in lines 10 to 11, the words “the Massachusetts rehabilitation
227commission” and inserting in place thereof the following word:- MassAbility.
228 SECTION 78. Section 4 of chapter 111B of the General Laws, as so appearing, is hereby
229amended by striking out, in lines 20 to 21, the words “the Massachusetts rehabilitation
230commission” and inserting in place thereof the following word:- MassAbility.
231 SECTION 79. Section 38B of chapter 121B of the General Laws, a as so appearing, is
232hereby amended by striking out, in line 10, the words “the Massachusetts rehabilitation
233commission” and inserting in place thereof the following word:- MassAbility. 13 of 13
234 SECTION 80. Section 4 of chapter 151B of the General Laws, as so appearing, is hereby
235amended by striking out, in line 461, the words “the Massachusetts rehabilitation commission”
236and inserting in place thereof the following word:- MassAbility.
237 SECTION 81. Section 15E of chapter 166 of the General Laws, as so appearing, is
238hereby amended by striking out, in lines 111 to 112 and 195 to 196, the words “the
239Massachusetts rehabilitation commission” and inserting in place thereof the following word:-
240MassAbility.
241 SECTION 82. This act shall take effect upon its passage.