MA S2563

Updates terminology throughout Massachusetts General Laws to use person-first language, replacing terms like "handicapped persons," "disabled persons," and "mentally retarded" with "persons with disabilities," "persons with intellectual or developmental disabilities," and similar constructions

Renames the "Disabled Persons Protection Commission" to the "Commission for the Protection of Persons with Disabilities" and updates chapter 19C accordingly

Replaces "hearing impaired" with "deaf or hard of hearing" across multiple statutes covering court interpreters, insurance coverage, and accessibility requirements

Retitles several chapters of the General Laws, including Chapter 71B ("Children with Disabilities"), Chapter 118A ("Assistance to the Aged and Persons with Disabilities"), and Chapter 123B ("Persons with Intellectual or Developmental Disabilities")

Adds or updates legal definitions for "person with a disability," "person with an intellectual disability," and "person with a developmental disability" in various chapters to ensure consistency with current disability rights terminology