Mississippi Senate Bill SB2852

Mississippi 2024 Regular Session

• Introduced: 2/19/24
• Refer: 2/19/24
• Failed: 3/5/24

Caption

Lunancy; remove all references in statute.

Impact

This legislation is anticipated to have a significant impact on state laws by requiring updates and revisions to multiple existing statutes that reference individuals with disabilities. It will affect a wide variety of provisions across different sections of the Mississippi Code, particularly those that involve mental health and intellectual disabilities. The goal is to foster a legal and social environment that recognizes the dignity of all individuals, thereby potentially enhancing their rights and standing within the community.

Summary

Senate Bill 2852 aims to amend the Mississippi Code to revise the terminology used by legislative drafting offices and state agencies when referring to individuals with disabilities. Specifically, the bill emphasizes the need for more respectful, modern terminology that aligns with contemporary understandings of disability rights. By mandating legislative bodies to use more inclusive language, the bill seeks to combat the negative societal attitudes often perpetuated through outdated and derogatory terms used to reference disabled individuals.

Contention

While the bill aims to promote respect and inclusion, it may face scrutiny regarding the practical implementation of these changes. Some legislators might express concerns over the resources needed for widespread legislative revisions and the training required for legislative staff and lawmakers to adopt the new language. Additionally, there may be debates regarding how to balance the need for inclusive language with traditional terms entrenched in various legal contexts.