The Words Matter for the District of Columbia Courts Act updates language in DC's court system by replacing outdated and offensive terminology with modern, respectful language. Specifically, the bill revises references in three DC court jurisdictions—the U.S. District Court, Superior Court, and Family Court—replacing terms like "substantially retarded persons" and "moderately mentally retarded" with the current term "persons with moderate intellectual disabilities." This change affects court procedures and legal documents in DC that involve individuals with intellectual disabilities. The bill contains no funding requirements or implementation timelines beyond the standard legislative process. The legislation is a straightforward effort to modernize DC's legal code and ensure respectful language when referring to individuals with disabilities.
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