Updated Feb 27, 2009 - 3:08 pm

Lawmakers want to drop term "mental retardation"

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The bill sailed through the Legislature's lower chamber by a unanimous vote on Friday. It now goes to the Senate.

Under the measure, the phrase "intellectual disability" will be used in place of "mental retardation" in all future state laws.

Officials will also have to scrub "mental retardation" from old laws, when those statutes are revised.

Supporters say the term "mental retardation" is an outdated and insulting way of referring to people with intellectual disabilities.

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The bill is House Bill 1835.

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• Bulldog wrote...

  What te Difference

  If we describe the Legislators as being mentally retarded or intellectually disabled. Either way they wont be able to cut spending or address the Deficit. Referring to someone as retarded,intellectually disabled or a Legislator isn't going to solve the budget problems.

  February 27, 2009 3:07 pm

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• NW Libertarian wrote...

  What do Words mean?

  Retarded means to be slowed. Disabled means non-functional. So Mentally retarded means that you are slowed or otherwise handicaped. Mentally Disabled means that your mental capacity is non-functional or a condition that resembles or is death. The retarted are NOT disabled, they do have mental function and are able to cope with the world. The same goes for Handicaped people, they aren't disabled, in fact frequently they have a high level of certain phyisical abilities.

  February 27, 2009 3:24 pm

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• williamohoh wrote...

  Retardation

  If it makes people fell better why not? Change from deaf/dumb to deaf/mute, from nego to African american etc. I actually heard someone complain about "political correctness", and "rudeness" in society in the same sermon. Political correctness is bending over backwards to consider another person or groups feelings. There is no pleasing some people.

  February 27, 2009 3:28 pm

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• monj86 wrote...

  MY HEAD HURTS....... :(

  Because I've been pounding it on my desk!

  February 27, 2009 4:10 pm

  40078

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• thenutsareoutandincontrol wrote...

  Guess they got tired

  of the little people referring to them as a truism. Of course liberals are experts at creating new words to obscure the real meaning of those words so the dumbed down can feel better about themselves and pretend. Notice how fast global warming became climate change? Or how supporting the killing of innocent babies became reproductive choice? These people are Orwellian scholars.

  February 27, 2009 4:45 pm

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• working mom wrote...

  NO WAY

  I'M TRYING TO FIGURE OUT HOW THEY HAVE SO MUCH TIME ON THERE HANDS.... THIS IS NOT MAKING THEM LOOK BETTER IF THATS WHAT THEY THINK......

  February 27, 2009 4:46 pm

  40088

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• cady203 wrote...

  This Is It?

  These politicos have almost hit an all-time low. Is this what they're going to spend valuable days on deciding, argueing, and voting on? Good grief. The problem is, nobody will remember and vote accordingly the next time these same turkeys run again for another term. Insanity? Keep voting for the same people expecting a different result. That truly is mental retardation!

  February 27, 2009 5:12 pm

  40103

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• Steve in Seattle wrote...

  Stimulus package? Rewrite the law books!

  Lawyers of the world... errr... state... UNITE! (what a total waste of time and money)

  February 27, 2009 6:02 pm

  40117

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• dexter wrote...

  Sigh...

  with these people in charge, we are so freeking screwed.

  February 27, 2009 6:59 pm

  40126

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• weisserabfall wrote...

  i work with the "mentally handicapped"...

  why are we changing names to something that cant pronounce.thats dumbest thing i ever heard. i'm offened by being called white;can i be called pigmentaionally challanged or how about elbinoucuoal disfunctionally challanged. why dont we start by teaching there parents they are normal and deserve to be treated normal.just because they are"mentally handicapped"dont mean they are broken or uncapable.they are just making "stereo types".i remember when the word "black" was ok ,then not ok,and back to ok.

  February 27, 2009 7:13 pm

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