State Sen. Eric Kearney, a Cincinnati Democrat
COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Ohio law is riddled with references to "mental retardation" and other phases now considered to be insensitive and two lawmakers are pushing to erase them.
Sens. Peggy Lehner, a Kettering Republican, and Eric Kearney, a Cincinnati Democrat, introduced legislation Thursday to replace the words "mentally retarded" with "intellectual disability" or similar language in the Ohio Revised Code.
"Though we as a culture have long accepted that the terminology 'mental retardation' is outdated and insensitive, this is not yet reflected in Ohio law," Lehner said in a press release. "The time has come for Ohio to recognize the rights of people with intellectual disabilities by striking stigmatizing language from our state law and join many other states which have already done so."
The 699-page bill would remove more than 250 references to "mental retardation."
The lawmakers noted 2009 legislation sponsored by former Sen. Jimmy Stewart, an Athens Republican, made some changes, but hundreds of insensitive terms remain on the books.
"Senator Stewart deserves credit for his work to eliminate this outdated term from our laws, but the words are still scattered across Ohio's Revised Code in dozens of places," Kearney said. "That's why we are introducing legislation to resolve this issue once and for all. It's important that all Ohioans have a right to say what they should be called and to express their talents without stigma."
The bill makes some exceptions where state law must conform with language in federal law.
The bipartisan sponsors don't have much time to pass their bill before the end of this legislative session in December. State lawmakers do not plan to return to the Statehouse from summer break until after the Nov. 4 election.