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Read. Follow. Verify.Updating Disability Terminology in D.C. Court Laws
Record date · September 27, 2024
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What This Bill Would Do
This bill updates outdated and offensive language in the by replacing terms like 'retarded' with 'persons with moderate intellectual disabilities.' These changes apply to the legal definitions used by the U.S. District Court, the Superior Court, and the Family Court in D.C.
This legislation standardizes legal language across D.C. court s to reflect modern terminology, ensuring that court documents and statutes use respectful, person-first language when referring to individuals with intellectual disabilities.
- The District of Columbia Official Code serves as the primary body of law for the District of Columbia, and amendments to it are often required to ensure consistency with federal standards or modern social norms. context
Who It Would Affect
Groups the bill's text would affect if enacted, as described in the record. Being affected is not a position for or against it.
Individuals with intellectual disabilities in D.C.
The legal code governing their interactions with the court system will be updated to use person-first terminology.
District of Columbia Courts
The courts must update their internal references and legal documents to align with the new terminology mandated by the amended code.
Key Facts
You don't have to trust us. Each fact below is taken straight from the official document - click any one to see the exact passage, highlighted in the original.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does this bill change the actual legal powers of the D.C. courts?
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News Coverage
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Votes, people, money & the original sourceWhere This Stands
Currently filed. The next step in the legislative lifecycle is Committee.
Version history
Only one version on file - nothing to compare yet. As later stages (committee substitute, engrossed, enrolled) are captured, the redline appears here.
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Who this bill affects and the strongest case for and against it, written only from the bill’s own text.
Discoveries
Patterns POLISCOPE noticed across the record. These are observations to investigate, not conclusions.
Modernization of Legal Language
The bill reflects a broader legislative trend of removing outdated, stigmatizing language from government codes in favor of person-first terminology.
Connected Entities
Sources
www.congress.gov
Analysis Score
0–100- Significance30How much this matters to a regular citizen
- Controversy5Intensity of disagreement among stakeholders
- Entertainment5Compellingness for a non-policy-wonk reader
- Buzz10Current news / social attention level
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