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H.J.R. 14 Enrolled

             1     

RESOLUTION URGING STATE AGENCIES TO

             2     
UPDATE REFERENCES TO MENTAL

             3     
RETARDATION

             4     
2006 GENERAL SESSION

             5     
STATE OF UTAH

             6     
Chief Sponsor: David L. Hogue

             7     
Senate Sponsor: John W. Hickman

             8     
             9      LONG TITLE
             10      General Description:
             11          This joint resolution of the Legislature urges state agencies to replace "mental
             12      retardation" references in their documents with a more respectful description.
             13      Highlighted Provisions:
             14          This resolution:
             15          .    urges state agencies to change the language in state documents that makes reference
             16      to "mental retardation" and use a term that reflects increased sensitivity to those
             17      who experience this disability; and
             18          .    recommends that state agencies review and consider language currently used by
             19      other states that have previously changed their references.
             20      Special Clauses:
             21          None
             22     
             23      Be it resolved by the Legislature of the state of Utah:
             24          WHEREAS, the stigma attached to the phrase "mental retardation" creates an
             25      unwarranted burden on those who experience this intellectual disability;
             26          WHEREAS, in some cases government agencies inadvertently perpetuate this burden
             27      by continuing to use this archaic term;
             28          WHEREAS, this phrase should be changed to reflect a sensitivity to those who
             29      experience this disability;


             30          WHEREAS, many government agencies throughout the United States have altered their
             31      documents to refer to these individuals as persons with a disability;
             32          WHEREAS, the use of "persons with a disability" removes a measure of the sting and
             33      stigma suffered by those who must struggle with this disability every day of their lives; and
             34          WHEREAS, Utah state agencies should take deliberate steps to update their documents
             35      to reflect this more sensitive reference to characterize those who experience this disability:
             36          NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Legislature of the state of Utah
             37      urges Utah's state agencies to review their official documents and replace current references to
             38      "mental retardation" with an alternative that reflects increased sensitivity to those who
             39      experience this disability.
             40          BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Legislature encourages state agencies to review
             41      and consider alternative references to this disability that are used by other states.
             42          BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this resolution be sent to the Department
             43      of Human Resources, the Utah Developmental Disabilities Council, the Department of Health,
             44      the Department of Human Services, and People First.


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