This act updates the District of Columbia Official Code by replacing outdated and offensive terminology with respectful, person-first language when referring to individuals with intellectual disabilities.
Eleanor Norton
Representative
DC
The "Words Matter for the District of Columbia Courts Act" updates the District of Columbia Official Code by replacing outdated and offensive terminology with respectful, modern language. Specifically, the bill replaces references to "substantially retarded persons" with "persons with moderate intellectual disabilities" across three sections governing court jurisdiction.
Words Matter Act Replaces Outdated Terms in D.C. Court Codes
The 'Words Matter for the District of Columbia Courts Act' is a targeted legislative cleanup designed to strip offensive and archaic language from the D.C. legal system. By amending three specific sections of the District of Columbia Official Code, the bill replaces terms like 'substantially retarded persons' and 'the at least moderately mentally retarded' with the modern standard: 'persons with moderate intellectual disabilities.' This isn't just about being polite; it’s about ensuring that the formal documents governing our legal rights reflect modern medical understanding and basic human dignity.
Modernizing the Legal Lexicon
The bill focuses on the technical definitions that determine which courts handle specific cases. Specifically, it updates Section 11-501(2)(D) regarding U.S. District Court jurisdiction, Section 11-921(a)(4)(D) for the Superior Court, and Section 11-1101(a)(15) for the Family Court. For a family navigating a guardianship case or a legal dispute involving a loved one with a disability, these changes mean the paperwork they encounter in the hallway of a courthouse will no longer use terminology that has been considered derogatory for decades. It brings the D.C. Code in line with federal standards, such as Rosa’s Law, which made similar changes to federal statutes years ago.
Dignity in the Details
While the bill doesn't change the actual scope of court jurisdiction—meaning the same courts will handle the same types of cases—the impact is felt in the professional and social atmosphere of the legal process. For legal professionals, social workers, and families, the update removes a layer of institutional stigma. It ensures that when a judge or an attorney refers to a person’s status under the law, they are using language that is accurate and respectful, rather than labels that carry heavy historical baggage. It’s a straightforward fix that acknowledges that the words used in our laws shape how the people described by those laws are perceived and treated by the system.