Words Matter for the District of Columbia Courts Act

This bill (S 402) updates outdated terminology in District of Columbia court codes to use more respectful and current language. It replaces "substantially retarded persons" and similar phrases with "persons with moderate intellectual disabilities" in three specific court sections: the U.S. District Court (§11-501(2)(D)), Superior Court (§11-921(a)(4)(D)), and Family Court (§11-1101(a)(15)). These changes directly affect how DC courts refer to individuals with intellectual disabilities in legal contexts. The bill makes concrete policy adjustments to modernize court terminology without altering legal procedures or rights.