Legislature Moves To Remove "R" Word
TALLAHASSEE (CBSMiami/AP) – A word deemed offensive by advocates for people with developmental disabilities will soon be struck from state statutes.
On Tuesday the House unanimously passed a Senate bill which will remove the term "mental retardation" from state law. "Mental retardation" and other forms of the word "retardation" show up in various parts of state law and, under the bill, would be replaced by the widely accepted term "intellectual disability."
The Senate unanimously passed the bill last week. The bill now goes to the governor to be signed into law.
The change would not affect the content or effect of any laws. Proponents of the bill have said the word "retarded" is outdated. Forty-three states have already taken steps to remove the word "retarded" from their laws.
President Obama signed a law in 2010 striking use of the term in federal policy.
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