H 4487
An Act relative to individuals with intellectual or developmental disabilities
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Bill overview
This bill makes several amendments to existing laws related to individuals with intellectual or developmental disabilities. It changes terminology used throughout the General Laws, replacing terms like ‘handicapped persons’ and ‘developmentally disabled’ with more inclusive language such as ‘persons with disabilities’ and ‘individuals with intellectual or developmental disabilities.’ It also updates references to specific agencies and departments to align with current state structures.
Key provisions
- Replaces ‘Employ Handicapped Persons Week’ with ‘Persons with Disabilities Employment Week.’
- Changes ‘Autistic’ to ‘Autism’ in relevant sections.
- Modifies language in sections referencing ‘disabled individuals’ to ‘individuals with disabilities.’
- Updates references to ‘disabled American veterans’ to ‘American veterans with disabilities.’
- Replaces ‘disabled persons’ with ‘persons with disabilities’ in several sections.
- Changes ‘are disabled’ to ‘have disabilities’ in section 106.
- Updates the definition of ‘intellectual or developmental disability’ in section 172C.
- Revises language throughout the bill to consistently use ‘person with a disability’ instead of ‘disabled person.’
Who is affected
- Individuals with intellectual or developmental disabilities
- State agencies responsible for services to individuals with disabilities
- Veterans with disabilities
- Families of individuals with disabilities
Sponsors
Official sponsors from legislative records.
Primary sponsor
Families and Persons with Disabilities Joint Committee on Children
Cosponsors
Adrianne Pusateri Ramos
Bruce E. Tarr
Christopher Hendricks
Christopher J. Worrell
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Bill H.4487 194th (Current)
An Act relative to individuals with intellectual or developmental disabilities
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Bill Information
Bill Information
Sponsor: Joint Committee on Children, Families and Persons with Disabilities Status: Referred to House Committee on Ways and Means
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Bill History Cosponsors Committee Vote Committee Summary
Bill History
Displaying 3 actions for Bill H.4487
| Date | Branch | Action |
| 9/17/2025 | House | Reported from the committee on Children, Families and Persons with Disabilities |
| 9/17/2025 | House | New draft of H232 |
| 9/17/2025 | House | Bill reported favorably by committee and referred to the committee on House Ways and Means |
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