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SD 755

An Act relative to removing the term hearing impaired from the general laws

194th Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Cynthia Creem

Massachusetts bill removes "hearing impaired" from state law, replacing it with community-preferred terminology like "deaf" and "hard of hearing."

House concurred
0
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Bill Summary · SD 755

Legislative bill overview

SD 755 proposes removing the term "hearing impaired" from Massachusetts general laws and replacing it with preferred terminology. The bill reflects evolving language standards within the deaf and hard of hearing community, where many prefer identity-first language (deaf/hard of hearing) over the medical/deficit-based term "hearing impaired." This is a technical correction across state statutes to align terminology with contemporary best practices.

Why is this important

Language in law carries symbolic and practical weight—it shapes how communities are perceived and treated by institutions. Updating terminology acknowledges the deaf and hard of hearing community's own preferences and recognizes deafness as a cultural and linguistic identity rather than solely a medical condition. State laws serve as models for other institutions, so this change may influence how public agencies, schools, and businesses refer to these communities.

Potential points of contention

  • Scope and consistency: The bill must clearly specify which instances of "hearing impaired" are replaced and with what terms, as different contexts may warrant different language (deaf vs. hard of hearing vs. deaf and hard of hearing)
  • Implementation burden: Updating terminology across all relevant state statutes requires careful review to avoid creating confusion or unintended gaps
  • Stakeholder input: The change should ideally reflect consensus within the deaf and hard of hearing community itself, as terminology preferences can vary by subgroup and individual preference

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

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