A second bill of a process started last year by Rep. Jan Angel to remove the words “mentally retarded” from Washington state statutes was signed into law today by Gov. Chris Gregoire.
House Bill 2490 would replace the words with the term “intellectually disabled” in state law.
"This may seem like a small thing to some people, but really, it's something very meaningful to those in our state who live with disabilities. We had many people who joined us today for the bill signing, and I think their attendance speaks volumes to the significance of this legislation,” said Angel, R-Port Orchard.
Angel says the bill is the continuation of legislation she prime sponsored last year (House Bill 1835) to ensure respectful language by changing the term “individuals with mental retardation” to “individuals with intellectual disabilities.” However, the state code reviser said further specific language would be needed to clean up the statutes. Angel says House Bill 2490 accomplishes that goal.
“The ‘R’ word is disrespectful and demeaning to those with disabilities. It's an old, outdated term. How we treat people comes across in the words we use and reflects our attitudes. But this legislation is about more than words. It’s about compassion and ensuring respect for our citizens in state law,” noted Angel.
Under the bill signed into law today, “intellectual disabilities” would replace the term “mental retardation” in statutes pertaining to:
- capital punishment for aggravated first degree murder;
- dependency and termination of parental rights;
- surrogate parentage contracts;
- the University of Washington's Children's Center for Research and Training in Mental Retardation and Other Handicapping Conditions;
- purchase of federal property for public purposes;
- Washington State Health Care Authority plan coverage for dependents;
- rules for the recovery of paid medical assistance by the Department of Social and Health Services;
- long-term care ombudsman;
- insurance definitions;
- comprehensive community health centers;
- hospital licensing and regulation;
- phenylketonuria (PKU) and other preventable heritable diseases (screening and services);
- mental health services for minors;
- developmental disabilities;
- medical care services;
- rehabilitative services for individuals with disabilities;
- nursing homes; nursing facility Medicaid payment system; excise taxes on intermediate care facilities for the mentally retarded; and
- multi-use facilities for the mentally and physically handicapped at the former Harrison Memorial Hospital property.
Angel said great care was taken to ensure the language is not in conflict with federal law. She also noted an effort is underway in Congress to make a similar change in federal law through a bill called “Rosa’s Law.”
During a committee hearing in January, Sean Latham, a person with disabilities who used a computer-generated voice, summed up the feelings of those affected by the change of language in state statute.
“Our state is a leader in changing the ‘M-R’ word, which people with disabilities see as a negative, degrading term. For too long, people called ‘retarded’ were looked down upon and thought of as second-class citizens, and pitied,” said Latham through his computer. “I can speak for many people with disabilities who want to be respected as an independent individual and not pitied. Changing the term to ‘intellectual disability’ will hopefully remove the negative stigma and give people with disabilities the respect they deserve.”
“This brings Washington state out of the dark ages of exclusion and puts respect back into our laws,” concluded Angel.
The measure takes effect in June.
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PHOTO: Surrounded by supporters of efforts to change references in state law from “mental retardation” to “intellectual disability,” Rep. Jan Angel (in red dress) stands next to Gov. Chris Gregoire as she signs House Bill 2490 into law.
