Pejorative Terms - Regarding Physical or Sensory Disabilities - 11/27/2013
The Report recommended changes to eliminate demaning, disparaging, and archaic terminology used when referring to persons with a physical or sensory disability or a substance use disorder. The Report was consistent with the Legislative goal expressed in P.L. 2010, c.50 to ensure that the statues and regulations of the State do not contain language that is outdated and disrespectful to persons with a disability and it expands the scope of prior NJLRC Reports (two earlier Reports were released dealing terminology as it related to persons with developmental, cognitive or psychiatric disabilities (in 2008 and in 2011 - the later Report was the basis of A-3357/S-2224, which received bipartisan support, passed both houses of the Legislature unanimously, and was signed into law by the Governor).
Statute: L. 2017, c. 131