Governor Christie Signs Legislation to Eliminate Demeaning Terms from State Laws and Regulations
鈥淲e live in the 21st Century and our laws must reflect that distinction,鈥� said Governor Christie. 鈥淭hose with intellectual disabilities are an important part of the fabric of New Jersey.听 Using antiquated, degrading terms to describe individuals with disabilities is an affront to the integrity of the person and their family, and below our common decency as a people.听 I am proud to move the language of New Jersey鈥檚 laws and regulations beyond such terminology.鈥�
The legislation also updates and replaces references in Title 30 of the Revised Statutes to 鈥渕entally retarded鈥� and 鈥渕ental retardation鈥� with the terms 鈥渄evelopmentally disabled鈥� and 鈥渄evelopmental disability,鈥� These changes also reflect the fact that the Division of Developmental Disabilities in the Department of Human Services serves all persons with developmental disabilities.
鈥淲hen it comes to New Jerseyans living with developmental disabilities, words matter,鈥� said Senate President Stephen M. Sweeney, sponsor of the bill.听 鈥淭he bill would replace demeaning, hurtful and antiquated terms for individuals with developmental disabilities to recognize that people are not defined by their disability, but by the character and strength they exhibit.听 Rather than marginalizing and demoralizing a segment of our population with the language used in our laws, we should strive to do better to educate the public about the accomplishments and contributions of people with developmental disabilities.鈥�
In addition, two inoperative statutes were repealed. One established the E.R. Johnstone Training and Research Center, which closed in 1992, and the other authorized the Commissioner of Institutions and Agencies to regulate hospitals and other health care facilities, a responsibility transferred to the Department of Health and Senior Services in 1971.
The legislation was sponsored by Senate President Stephen M. Sweeney (D-Salem, Cumberland and Gloucester) Senator Joseph. F. Vitale (D-Middlesex), Assemblywoman Valerie Vainieri Huttle (D-Bergen) as well as Assemblyman Thomas P. Giblin (D-Essex and Passaic), Assemblyman Albert Coutinho (D-Essex and Union), Assemblyman John J. Burzichelli (D-Salem, Cumberland and Gloucester) and Assemblyman Louis D. Greenwald (D-Camden).
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