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HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 964 FILED ON: 1/14/2025
HOUSE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . No. 276
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts
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PRESENTED BY:
James J. O'Day
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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.
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PETITION OF:
NAME:DISTRICT/ADDRESS :DATE ADDED:James J. O'Day14th Worcester1/14/2025 1 of 2
HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 964 FILED ON: 1/14/2025
HOUSE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . No. 276
By Representative O'Day of West Boylston, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 276) of
James J. O'Day relative to persons with developmental disabilities. Children, Families and
Persons with Disabilities.
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts
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In the One Hundred and Ninety-Fourth General Court
(2025-2026)
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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 2022 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
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 2 of 2
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, 2027.