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H 2633

An Act relative to more accessible 911 disability indicator forms

194th Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Natalie Higgins and 2 co-sponsors

Creates a statewide disability indicator form for 911 to alert PSAPs of mobility, hearing, or other needs, with plain language, translations, carrier access, and annual updates.

Bill reported favorably by committee and referred to the committee on House Ways and Means
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Bill Summary · H 2633

Summary: H 2633 — An Act relative to more accessible 911 disability indicator forms

Purpose and scope

H 2633 seeks to improve 911 accessibility by creating a statewide, disability indicator form for use by individuals with mobility, hearing, speech, or sight impairments. The form would help notify primary and regional Public Safety Answering Points (PSAPs) of a caller’s disabilities and needs during emergency calls. The Massachusetts State 911 Department would develop and publish the form in collaboration with disability communities and make it available to wireless, wireline, and prepaid wireless subscribers. The form’s design emphasizes plain language and accessibility, with translations for non-English speakers where needed.

Key provisions

  • Chapter 6A, inserted as Section 18D½, directs the State 911 Department to:
    • Create a statewide disability indicator form in consultation with organizations representing mobility, hearing, speech, and sight impairments.
    • Publish the form on the department’s website.
    • Make the form available to subscribers of wireless carriers, wireline carriers, and prepaid wireless services.
    • Write the form in clear language understandable at a fifth-grade level and accessible to those with visual disabilities.
    • Translate the form into languages spoken by at least 5% of the Commonwealth’s population outside English, per the latest American Community Survey.
    • Include fields for identifying: mental health needs; intellectual/developmental disabilities; complex medical needs; neurological impairments; life-sustaining equipment; mobility impairments; legal blindness; deafness or hard of hearing; TTY communication; speech impairments; cognitive impairment; service animals; translation needs; and any potential triggers for first responders.
    • Provide space to remove or change any disability indicators.
    • Annually review and update the form as needed in consultation with relevant communities.
  • The form is intended to notify primary and regional PSAPs of the individual’s disabilities and needs.

Who is affected

  • Individuals with disabilities (mobility, hearing, speech, sight) who would use the form.
  • PSAPs and emergency responders who receive disability indicators.
  • Telecommunications carriers (wireless, wireline, prepaid wireless) whose subscribers could access or submit the form.
  • Disability organizations involved in the consultation and ongoing review.

Implementation timeline and status

  • Introduced: February 27, 2025.
  • Referred to Public Safety and Homeland Security (02/27/2025).
  • Hearing scheduled: April 9, 2025.
  • Reported favorably by committee and referred to House Ways and Means: July 24, 2025.
  • Related bill: HD 1488 (the file replaces prior version from 2023-24).

Practical impact

  • Standardizes a nationwide-style indicator form within Massachusetts to improve responsiveness and safety for callers with disabilities.
  • Encourages (and requires) accessibility features, plain language, translations, and ongoing updates.
  • Aims to provide PSAPs with critical context to tailor emergency response and reduce miscommunication during calls.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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