Signed by Governor Roy Cooper III

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass with amendment a bill that amends state law to replace previous language with person-first language.

Highlights:

• Requires the provisions of this bill to use “People First Language,” which mainly pertains to individuals who are alleged to be “incompetent” in a criminal proceeding because they have a mental, physical, or intellectual disability (Sec. 1).   

• Requires that this language be used specifically in the provisions regarding individuals who are involved in the commission of, or who are a victim to, a crime such as rape, murder, or human trafficking (Sec. 1).

• Removes any reference of a “mentally retarded person” and instead refers to them as an individual with an “intellectual disability” (Sec. 1).

• Removes references to individuals who are “mentally ill” or “disabled” and instead refers to them as having a “mental illness” or “disability” (Secs. 1-14).

• Removes references to individuals who are ““physically handicapped” and instead refers to them as having a “physical disability” (Sec. 7).

• Removes references to individuals who are “sick” and instead refers to them as having a “sickness” (Sec. 10),

• Specifies that this bill does not affect the coverage, eligibility, or rights of state or federal services or benefits for individuals who have been diagnosed with “mental retardation” and whose diagnosis has not been changed to a diagnosis of “intellectual disability” (Sec. 15).

Full Bill Text