SENATE BILL REPORT

HB 2390

This analysis was prepared by non-partisan legislative staff for the use of legislative members in their deliberations. This analysis is not a part of the legislation nor does it constitute a statement of legislative intent.

As of February 26, 2020

Title: An act relating to using respectful language regarding individuals with developmental disabilities.

Brief Description: Using respectful language.

Sponsors: Representatives Kilduff, Goodman, Klippert, Leavitt, Thai, Dufault, Macri, Senn and Hudgins.

Brief History: Passed House: 2/17/20, 98-0.

Committee Activity: Human Services, Reentry & Rehabilitation: 2/26/20.

Brief Summary of Bill

Amends several statutes to reflect respectful language as identified under current law by replacing references to "handicapped persons" with references to "individuals with disabilities."
Amends statutes referencing "the elderly" to instead reference "the aging."

SENATE COMMITTEE ON HUMAN SERVICES, REENTRY & REHABILITATION

Staff: Alison Mendiola (786-7488)

Background: The Office of the Code Reviser (Code Reviser) is directed to avoid all language referencing "disabled," "developmentally disabled," "mentally disabled," "mentally ill," "mentally retarded," "handicapped," "cripple," and "crippled" in any new statute, memorial, or resolution, and to change such references in any existing statute, memorial, or resolution as sections including these references are otherwise amended by law. The Code Reviser is directed to replace the above language with the following terminology: "individuals with disabilities," "individuals with developmental disabilities," "individuals with mental illness," and "individuals with intellectual disabilities."

No statute, memorial, or resolution is invalid because it includes disrespectful language listed above.

Summary of Bill: Several statues are amended to reflect the language deemed respectful by current law by changing:

"chemical dependency" to "substance use disorder;"
"children who are crippled" to "children with disabilities;"
"disabled veteran" to "veterans with disabilities;"
"the disadvantaged" to "disadvantaged individuals;"
"elderly persons" to "persons who are aging;"
"handicap(s)" to "disability" or "disabilities;"
"handicapped" to "individual with disabilities" or "person with disabilities;"
"less handicapped persons" to "persons with less acute disabilities;"
"mentally ill or mentally handicapped" to "persons suffering from mental illness or persons with disabilities;"
"non handicapped" to "persons without disabilities;" and
"physical or mental handicap or emotional disturbance" to "disability or behavioral health conditions."

References to recodified statutes are corrected.

Technical corrections are made including striking language referencing decodified sections pertaining to a metropolitan public transportation system and benefit.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Not requested.

Creates Committee/Commission/Task Force that includes Legislative members: No.

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

Staff Summary of Public Testimony: PRO: This is a technical bill but what we say and how we say it matters, particularly in our laws which include many outdated terms. The code is a reflection of us as a state. Hopefully these changes will impact how people are treated in society. We should include other revisions such as changing "offender" to "incarcerated person".

Persons Testifying: PRO: Representative Christine Kilduff, Prime Sponsor; Eric Matthes, The Arc of King County; Noreen Light, citizen; Noah Seidel, Office of Developmental Disabilities Ombuds.

Persons Signed In To Testify But Not Testifying: No one.