An Act making October 25th Dwarfism awareness day in the Commonwealth

194th Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Jim Hawkins

Designates October 25 as Dwarfism Awareness Day in Massachusetts to promote understanding and inclusion, with immediate effect upon enactment.

Quick Take

Purpose: Designate October 25 as Dwarfism Awareness Day in Massachusetts to promote understanding and respect for people with dwarfism.

Key provision: An emergency clause making the designation effective immediately upon enactment.

Scope: A symbolic, recognition-oriented designation affecting public awareness and educational outreach; no explicit funding or program changes included in the bill.

Status: The version provided shows a filed bill (HD 1736, House No. 3343) in the 2025-2026 session with an emergency clause; the user note lists introduced date as November 29, 2025. The bill’s text in the excerpts is dated January 15, 2025.

What the bill would do

Official designation: The Commonwealth would officially declare October 25th as Dwarfism Awareness Day.

Recognition of purpose: The bill emphasizes that people with dwarfism are equal to individuals of average height and should be afforded the same respect; it underscores the need for understanding and acceptance.

Key provisions and content

Preambles (Whereas clauses):

References the history and work of the Little People of America (founded in 1957 by Billy Barty) and notes there are over 30,000 people with dwarfism.
Highlights experiences of individuals with dwarfism and the goal of achieving greater understanding and inclusion.
States the organization’s aim to move toward national recognition of Dwarfism Awareness Day (October 25) before establishing a Massachusetts designation.

Enactment provision: The bill declares October 25th to be Dwarfism Awareness Day in the Commonwealth and recognizes it as such.

Emergency language: The act includes a declaration that this is an emergency law necessary for the immediate preservation of the public convenience, leading to immediate effect upon enactment.

Who is affected

People with dwarfism and their families in Massachusetts.

The Little People of America community and its local district groups within Massachusetts.

The general public, schools, and state agencies may acknowledge or participate in awareness activities on October 25.

There is no specified funding or administrative program created; the designation is symbolic.

Procedural / timeline notes

Origin and filing: In the document provided, the bill is listed as House Docket No. 1736, filed January 15, 2025 (House No. 3343) by Rep. James K. Hawkins.

Session context: Part of the 194th General Court (2025-2026).

Emergency clause: The bill includes language declaring it an emergency law, so if enacted, the designation would take effect immediately.

Context and considerations

This is a symbolic recognition bill aimed at raising awareness, reducing stigma, and encouraging inclusive attitudes toward people with dwarfism.

It does not confer new powers, funding, or regulatory requirements on state agencies beyond the formal designation and potential observance of awareness activities.

Bill