HOUSE BILL REPORT

                  HB 2008

             As Reported By House Committee on:

                       Human Services

Title:  An act relating to disabled persons.

Brief Description:  Changing "handicapped" to "disabled."

Sponsor(s):  Representatives Nelson, Leonard, Winsley, Tate, Brekke, Phillips, H. Sommers, D. Sommers, Holland, Mitchell and P. Johnson.

Brief History:

  Reported by House Committee on:

Human Services, February 27, 1991, DP.

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON

HUMAN SERVICES

Majority Report: Do pass.  Signed by 11 members:  Representatives Leonard, Chair; Riley, Vice Chair; Winsley, Ranking Minority Member; Tate, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Anderson; Beck; Brekke; Hargrove; Hochstatter; R. King; and H. Myers.

Staff:  David Knutson (786-7146).

Background:  The term handicapped is used in the Revised Code of Washington to refer to an impairment, impediment, or barrier affecting some people.  The term disability is preferred over handicapped by some people.  Some existing language in the Revised Code of Washington, uses the male gender in referring to nouns or the plural of individuals.

Summary of Bill:  The term handicapped is replaced by disability everywhere it appears in the Revised Code of Washington.  Gender specific terms are replaced with gender neutral terms in the same sections of the Revised Code of Washington.

Fiscal Note:  Requested February 25, 1991.

Effective Date:  Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.

Testimony For:  None.

Testimony Against:  None.

Witnesses:  None.