09.23.10

House Passes Legislation to Update and Remove Offensive Legislative Language about Persons with Intellectual Disability

WASHINGTON, D.C. – With strong bipartisan support, the House of Representatives approved Rosa’s Law, legislation to remove offensive language related to persons with intellectual disability.  The bill passed by a voice vote Wednesday evening. For the first time, the legislation would remove and replace the phrase “mental retardation” with “intellectual disability” from federal education, health and labor laws.

“Pejorative and offensive phrases to persons with disabilities don’t belong in conversations and they certainly don’t belong in legislative language. This bill takes the right step forward toward equality and justice for all Americans”, said Education and Labor Committee Chairman George Miller. “Persons with disabilities have always fought an uphill battle to reduce the stigmas they face in daily life. I’m proud to support this legislation and I applaud my colleagues for passing this important legislation. I look forward to the President signing this bill into law very soon and I hope other committees will take action to make similar changes in their laws.”

The Senate passed the bill in August. The President is expected to sign the legislation in the coming days.

For more information about the bill, click here.