Bill
Bill > HB203
summary
Introduced
01/07/2026
01/07/2026
In Committee
01/07/2026
01/07/2026
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
02/03/2026
02/03/2026
Introduced Session
2026 Regular Session
Bill Summary
An Act To Amend Section 43-6-171, Mississippi Code Of 1972, To Revise The Requirements For Legislative Drafting Offices And State Agencies To Use Certain Respectful References To Individuals With Disabilities In Preparing Legislation And Rules; To Amend Sections 13-1-305, 19-5-45, 21-37-6, 25-9-149, 25-15-3, 25-15-9, 27-19-56, 29-5-65, 37-16-9, 37-31-31, 37-31-33, 37-31-35, 37-31-39, 37-33-13, 37-41-3, 41-3-15, 41-7-173, 41-11-102, 41-11-105, 41-11-109, 41-11-111, 41-11-113, 41-13-35, 41-19-33, 41-19-205, 41-19-237, 41-19-257, 41-19-261, 41-19-291, 41-21-131, 41-21-139, 41-31-15, 41-41-403, 41-79-5, 43-6-1, 43-6-3, 43-6-5, 43-6-13, 43-6-15, 43-6-113, 43-6-125, 43-11-1, 43-13-117, 43-18-1, 43-27-25, 43-33-703, 43-33-717, 43-33-723, 45-1-2, 45-35-53, 47-5-1351, 49-7-39, 49-7-40, 71-3-3, 71-3-7, 71-3-105, 71-7-13, 73-3-353, 75-74-9, 83-9-32, 93-7-3 And 97-3-4, Mississippi Code Of 1972, To Modernize The Terminology That Is Used To Refer To Persons With Mental Illness, Persons With An Intellectual Disability, Handicapped Persons And Crippled Persons; And For Related Purposes.
AI Summary
This bill modernizes the terminology used to refer to individuals with disabilities and mental illnesses across various Mississippi statutes, replacing outdated and potentially offensive terms like "handicapped," "crippled," "mentally ill," and "mentally retarded" with more respectful and person-first language such as "persons with disabilities," "persons with mental illness," and "persons with intellectual disabilities." The changes aim to reflect a more inclusive and respectful societal attitude towards individuals with disabilities and mental health conditions. The bill mandates that legislative drafting offices and state agencies use this updated terminology when preparing legislation and rules, and it revises numerous existing sections of the Mississippi Code of 1972 to reflect these changes, impacting areas from public accommodations and employment to healthcare and education.
Committee Categories
Health and Social Services
Sponsors (1)
Last Action
Died In Committee (on 02/03/2026)
Official Document
bill text
bill summary
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bill summary
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bill summary
| Document Type | Source Location |
|---|---|
| State Bill Page | https://billstatus.ls.state.ms.us/2026/pdf/history/HB/HB0203.xml |
| BillText | https://billstatus.ls.state.ms.us/documents/2026/html/HB/0200-0299/HB0203IN.htm |
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