HB 17-1046

House Bill 17-1046 updates outdated and insensitive language used in Colorado's laws regarding people with disabilities. It replaces terms like "mentally retarded" or "mental deficiency" with more respectful phrases such as "person with an intellectual and developmental disability." The bill also changes references to "physical defect" to "physical disability," ensuring that the state’s statutes are inclusive and considerate of individuals' dignity. Since the bill has been signed, these updates have now become part of Colorado's official laws.

Official Summary

The bill updates certain limited terms in statute that refer to persons with intellectual and developmental disabilities or physical disabilities using insensitive or outdated terminology. The bill changes references as follows: 'Mentally retarded', 'mentally deficient person', and 'mental deficiency' or 'mentally deficient' to ' a person with an intellectual and developmental disability'; 'Mental defect' to 'mental illness'; and 'Physical defect' to 'physical disability'.(Note: This summary applies to the reengrossed version of this bill as introduced in the second house.)

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