Removing the “R” word

State Rep. Matt Lori has commended the Michigan House of Representatives for approving a package of bills to remove the word “retarded” and various iterations from Michigan state law.

The eight-bill package, including Lori’s House Bill 5345, puts Michigan in line with all but six other states that have removed the word from their law books.

Lori, who serves on the Michigan Mental Health and Wellness Commission, spearheaded the legislative move to remove the offending words and replace them with people-first language that is more respectful of their developmental or intellectual disabilities.

The bills passed with unanimous support. They now go to the Senate for consideration.

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