Bill · H.R. 1022· House(119-HR-1022)
Words Matter for the District of Columbia Courts Act
- Introduced
- 2/5/2025
- Last activity
- 2/5/2025 — Referred to the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform.
- Sponsored by
- Eleanor Norton
- Cosponsors
- - 1 - 0
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
This bill, known as the ``Words Matter for the District of Columbia Courts Act'', aims to update the District of Columbia Official Code. It focuses on changing how certain individuals are described within the code. Specifically, it seeks to replace outdated terminology regarding individuals with intellectual disabilities. These changes would apply to the jurisdiction of the United States District Court, the Superior Court, and the Family Court.
Yes
Would people with disabilities be better off under this?+5
The bill replaces derogatory terms with more accurate and respectful descriptions for those with intellectual disabilities.
Does this expand the rights of people with disabilities?+5
The bill replaces outdated and stigmatizing terminology with respectful language regarding individuals with intellectual disabilities in the D.C. Official Code.
Does this protect the right to fair treatment by the courts?+3
Updating legal terminology in court jurisdictions promotes more dignified legal proceedings for individuals with intellectual disabilities.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
- Updated Terminology in Court Jurisdictions: The bill replaces the term
substantially retarded persons'' andthe at least moderately mentally retarded'' with the term ``persons with moderate intellectual disabilities'' across several sections of the District of Columbia Official Code (Section 2(a), 2(b), and 2(c)). This change updates the language used in the jurisdiction of the United States District Court, Superior Court, and Family Court.
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- No negative impacts are explicitly mentioned in the provided text.
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Good For People With Disabilities+5
- Social Issues And Justice
- Improves Disability Rights+5
- Governance And Ideology
- Improves Due Process+3
- 8/13/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 2/5/2025
- Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR E99)
- Referred to the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform.
- Introduced in House
One bill Congress.gov lists as related to this one — companions in the other chamber, earlier versions, and bills this one absorbed or was folded into.
Troy CarterDemocrat · Louisiana