FINAL BILL REPORT

SHJR 4231

BYHouse Committee on Constitution, Elections & Ethics (originally sponsored by Representatives 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

Senate Committee on Governmental Operations

AS PASSED LEGISLATURE

BACKGROUND:

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

SUMMARY:

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 with similar references is changed to refer to state institutions for the benefit of persons with certain disabilities.

VOTES ON FINAL PASSAGE:

      House 96   0

      Senate    46     0 (Senate amended)

      House 94   0 (House concurred)

EFFECTIVE:The constitutional amendments take effect if ratified by the voters at the November 1988 general election.