Massachusetts legislation · 194th General Court
Massachusetts H276: An Act relative to persons with developmental disabilities
Status: In committee, August 4, 2026
What the bill says
From the introduced text, February 27, 2025:
SECTION 1: Section 1 of chapter 123B, as appearing in the 2022 Official Edition, is hereby amended by striking lines 18 through 37 and inserting in place thereof the following:- “Person with a developmental disability,” (1) an individual 5 years of age or older with a severe, chronic disability that: (i) is attributable to a mental or physical impairment or combination of mental and physical impairments; (ii) is manifested before the individual attains age 22; (iii) is likely to continue indefinitely; (iv) results in substantial function limitations in 3 or more of the following areas of major life activity: (1) self-care; (2) receptive and expressive language; (3) learning; (4) mobility; (5) self-direction; (6) capacity for independent living; and (7) economic self-sufficiency; and (v) reflects the individual’s need for a combination and sequence of special, interdisciplinary or generic services, individualized supports or other forms of assistance that are of a lifelong or extended duration and are individually planned and coordinated; or (2) an individual under the age of 5 who has a substantial developmental delay or specific congenital or acquired condition with a high probability that the condition will result in developmental disability if services are not provided. A person who has a developmental disability may be considered to be mentally ill; provided, however, that no person with a developmental disability …
Sponsors
- James O'Day (D, 14th Worcester) · primary sponsor
- Joan Lovely (D, Second Essex)
Latest actions
- : Committee recommended bill ought to pass and referred to the committee on House Ways and Means
- : Reporting date extended to Friday, July 31, 2026
- : Reporting date extended to Monday, June 15, 2026
- : Reporting date extended to Wednesday, March 18, 2026
- : Reported favorably by committee and referred to the committee on Health Care Financing
- : Hearing scheduled for 06/10/2025 from 01:00 PM-05:00 PM in A-1
- : Senate concurred
- : Referred to the committee on Children, Families and Persons with Disabilities
Votes
- Committee Vote - Joint Committee on Health Care Financing (July 16, 2026): 13 yea, 0 nay, passed
- Committee Vote - Joint Committee on Children, Families and Persons with Disabilities (September 8, 2025): 11 yea, 0 nay, passed
Common questions
- What is H276?
- H276 is a bill in the Massachusetts Legislature (194th General Court): An Act relative to persons with developmental disabilities.
- What is the status of H276?
- In committee as of August 4, 2026. Latest action: Committee recommended bill ought to pass and referred to the committee on House Ways and Means (August 4, 2026).
- Who sponsored H276?
- James O'Day (D, 14th Worcester), with 1 co-sponsor.
- Where is the official record for H276?
- On the Massachusetts Legislature website: https://malegislature.gov/Bills/194/H276
Source: official Massachusetts record. Tracked by Delilah, AI for legislation across all 50 states and Congress.