Press Release  MDDC Priority Legislation Signed Into Law

Boston — A bill from the Massachusetts Developmental Disabilities Council's (MDDC) current legislative priorities has been signed into law by Governor Maura Healey. This law expands public access to institutional records marks a significant policy achievement in efforts to open up historical information about state institutions where many people with intellectual, developmental, and mental health disabilities lived. The law was signed on November 25, 2025, and implemented after strong legislative support.

The language included in this law originated in S.2102 – An Act relating to public access to historical records. It was included in the supplemental budget signed by the Governor in November.

The legislation applies to archived records from more than 25 state institutions that cared for people with intellectual or developmental disabilities (IDD) or those with mental health conditions. Under the law, these records become available to the public once they are at least 75 years old or 50 years after the individual’s death. This change aligns with recommendations from the Special Commission on State Institutions and the Massachusetts IDD community.

Prior to this law, access to these records was limited, which often prevented families and researchers from learning about the experiences of loved ones who lived in these facilities. By establishing clear timelines for release, the law removes barriers to access and preserves historical documentation that had been difficult to obtain.

“I have always been a fan of history, and I often look to the past to understand the present. Making the records of state institutions publicly available will give a fuller picture of how people with intellectual and developmental disabilities were once treated and ensure that we do better today,” said Gyasi Burks-Abbott, the MDDC’s policy committee chairperson.

This law represents an important step in acknowledging the lives and histories of people who were residents of state institutions and in supporting families, historians, and scholars seeking to understand and document this chapter of Massachusetts history.

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