HOUSE BILL REPORT

HJR 4231

BYRepresentatives Fisher and Pruitt;by request of Secretary of State

Revising constitutional references to persons with mental or sensory disabilities.

House Committe on Constitution, Elections & Ethics

Majority Report:  The substitute bill be substituted therefor and the substitute bill do pass.  (7)

      Signed by Representatives Fisher, Chair; Pruitt, Vice Chair; Amondson, Barnes, R. King, Leonard and Sanders.

House Staff:Kenneth Hirst (786-7105)

AS REPORTED BY COMMITTEE ON CONSTITUTION, ELECTIONS & ETHICS

FEBRUARY 2, 1988

BACKGROUND:

Provisions of the state's Constitution contain language that, by today's standards, is denigrative to persons with sensory or mental disabilities.

SUMMARY:

SUBSTITUTE RESOLUTION:  A provision of the state's constitution that excludes "idiots" and "insane" persons from elective franchise is replaced with a provision excluding persons while they are judicially declared to be mentally incompetent.  Another provision is changed to refer to state institutions for the benefit of persons with sensory or mental disabilities.

SUBSTITUTE RESOLUTION COMPARED TO ORIGINAL:  Added by the substitute resolution are the provisions changing references to certain people who are excluded from elective franchise.

Fiscal Note:      Not Requested.

House Committee ‑ Testified For:    Ralph Munro, Secretary of State.

House Committee - Testified Against:      None Presented.

House Committee - Testimony For:    Offensive language should be removed from the state's Constitution before the state begins its centennial celebration.

House Committee - Testimony Against:      None Presented.