Words Matter for the District of Columbia Courts Act

The Words Matter for the District of Columbia Courts Act aims to modernize the District of Columbia Official Code by removing offensive and antiquated terminology. Specifically, the bill would strike terms such as "mentally retarded" and "substantially retarded persons" from Title 11 of the D.C. Code, which governs the local court system. These terms would be replaced with more respectful, contemporary language, such as "persons with moderate intellectual disabilities."

Because the District of Columbia's court system is subject to federal oversight, only an act of Congress can amend these specific sections of the D.C. Code. This proposal follows the precedent set by Rosa's Law in 2010, which stripped similar language from general federal statutes but did not reach the specific laws governing D.C. courts. If enacted, the bill would ensure that court documents, legal proceedings, and jurisdictional definitions in the District reflect modern standards of dignity for individuals with disabilities.

For everyday citizens, the bill would primarily change the formal language used in legal filings and court records involving individuals with intellectual disabilities. It does not change the legal rights or eligibility for services of the individuals described; rather, it focuses on ensuring that the language used by the government is accurate and respectful. The bill is currently in the early stages of the legislative process and has been referred to the House Committee on Oversight and Accountability.