Words Matter Act of 2025
Federal Law: Updating Disability Terminology
The Words Matter Act of 2025 is currently moving through the House Judiciary Committee. Members recently voted to approve the bill with changes, so it is now ready to move to the full House for further consideration. It is actively moving forward at this time.
Legislative Progress
This bill has bipartisan support and does not cost money or change benefits, making it very easy for both parties to support.
Key Points
- This bill replaces the terms "mentally retarded" and "mental retardation" with "intellectual disability" or "individuals with intellectual disabilities" in all federal laws. This update affects many areas including healthcare, housing, and education programs.
- The change modernizes the language used by the government to be more respectful. It is designed to bring federal law in line with modern medical and social standards without changing the actual substance of the laws.
- The policy covers a wide range of federal programs like Medicaid, the National School Lunch Program, and military medical care. It also applies to legal settings, including rules for the death penalty and mental health courts.
- This law only changes federal wording and does not force states to change the language in their own state laws. It also guarantees that no one will lose their current rights, benefits, or services because of the name change.
Impact Analysis
Govbase has not yet run an impact analysis on this legislation.
Milestones
Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by Voice Vote.
The committee approved this bill and is sending it to the full chamber for a vote. This is a significant step — most bills never get this far.
Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
Introduced in House
The bill was officially filed and given a number. It now enters the legislative queue.
Votes
No votes have been recorded for this legislation yet.
News
No related news coverage found for this legislation yet.
Source Information
Document Type
Congressional Bill
Official Title
Words Matter Act of 2025
Data Sources
Sponsor
Cosponsors
(14)Analysis generated by AI. Always verify with official sources.