1 of 1
SENATE DOCKET, NO. 153 FILED ON: 1/11/2023
SENATE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . No. 103
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts
_________________
PRESENTED BY:
Joan B. Lovely
_________________
To the Honorable Senate and House of Representatives of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts in General
Court assembled:
The undersigned legislators and/or citizens respectfully petition for the adoption of the accompanying bill:
An Act relative to persons with developmental disabilities.
_______________
PETITION OF:
NAME:DISTRICT/ADDRESS :Joan B. LovelySecond EssexSal N. DiDomenicoMiddlesex and Suffolk1/30/2023Angelo J. Puppolo, Jr.12th Hampden2/8/2023Michael O. MooreSecond Worcester2/8/2023John F. KeenanNorfolk and Plymouth2/8/2023Michael D. BradySecond Plymouth and Norfolk2/8/2023Michael J. BarrettThird Middlesex2/8/2023James B. EldridgeMiddlesex and Worcester2/21/2023 1 of 2
SENATE DOCKET, NO. 153 FILED ON: 1/11/2023
SENATE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . No. 103
By Ms. Lovely, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 103) of Joan B. Lovely, Sal N.
DiDomenico, Angelo J. Puppolo, Jr., Michael O. Moore and other members of the General Court
for legislation relative to persons with developmental disabilities. Children, Families and
Persons with Disabilities.
[SIMILAR MATTER FILED IN PREVIOUS SESSION
SEE SENATE, NO. 122 OF 2021-2022.]
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts
_______________
In the One Hundred and Ninety-Third General Court
(2023-2024)
_______________
An Act relative to persons with developmental disabilities.
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 1 of chapter 123B, as appearing in the 2018 Official Edition, is
2hereby amended by striking lines 18 through 37 and inserting in place thereof the following:-
3 “Person with a developmental disability,” (1) an individual 5 years of age or older with a
4severe, chronic disability that: (i) is attributable to a mental or physical impairment or
5combination of mental and physical impairments; (ii) is manifested before the individual attains
6age 22; (iii) is likely to continue indefinitely; (iv) results in substantial function limitations in 3
7or more of the following areas of major life activity: (1) self-care; (2) receptive and expressive
8language; (3) learning; (4) mobility; (5) self-direction; (6) capacity for independent living; and
9(7) economic self-sufficiency; and (v) reflects the individual’s need for a combination and 2 of 2
10sequence of special, interdisciplinary or generic services, individualized supports or other forms
11of assistance that are of a lifelong or extended duration and are individually planned and
12coordinated; or (2) an individual under the age of 5 who has a substantial developmental delay or
13specific congenital or acquired condition with a high probability that the condition will result in
14developmental disability if services are not provided. A person who has a developmental
15disability may be considered to be mentally ill; provided, however, that no person with a
16developmental disability shall be considered to be mentally ill solely by the reason of the
17person’s developmental disability.
18 SECTION 2: This act shall take effect on January 1, 2025.