JUNEAU, Alaska (AP) — Alaska has moved one step closer to striking "mental retardation" from state laws.
On Thursday, the Alaska Senate passed HB88, by Rep. Charisse Millett. The bill would replace "mentally retarded" and "mental retardation" with terms such as "intellectual and developmental disabilities."
According to Millett, more than 40 states have already adopted similar measures.
Millett has said Alaskans need to recognize the power words have to inflict pain on the developmentally disabled.
The Key Coalition of Alaska, an advocacy group for Alaskans with developmental disabilities, held their 26th annual rally on the steps of the State Capitol while the Senate voted on the bill.
The bill now awaits the governor's signature, but his Council on Disabilities and Special Education has already hailed its passage as a success.
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Online
HB88: http://bit.ly/TVySRW
