Resolve, To Convene a Working Group To Review Statutory Language and Propose Standards To Ensure the Use of Respectful Language
Maine Legislature, Session 123, LD 1780
Committee: Health and Human Services
Sponsors: WEBSTER, BRANNIGAN, CAMPBELL, CROSTHWAITE, LEWIN, MILLER, PERRY, RA YE, ROSEN

Legislative Document 
No. 1780 
H.P.1238 
House of Representatives, March 28, 2007 
Resolve, To Convene a Working Group To Review Statutory 
Language and Propose Standards To Ensure the Use of Respectful 
Language 
Reference to the Committee on Health and Human Services suggested and ordered printed. 
Presented by Representative WEBSTER of Freeport. 
Cosponsored by Senator BRANNIGAN of Cumberland and 
7J'l~ 1??17lQ£~ 
MILLICENT M. MacFARLAND 
Clerk 
Representatives: CAMPBELL of Newfield, CROSTHWAITE of Ellsworth, LEWIN of Eliot, 
MILLER of Somerville, PERRY of Calais, WALCOT[ of Lewiston, Senators: RA YE of 
Washington, ROSEN of Hancock. 
Printed on recycled paper 
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Sec. 1. Convene working group. Resolved: That the Maine Developmental 
Disabilities Council, referred to in this resolve as "the council," shall convene a working 
group to review the terminology that is currently contained in the Maine Revised Statutes 
to refer to persons with disabilities. The council may propose standards to be used 
prospectively by the Revisor of Statutes when preparing bills that enact or amend 
legislative language referring to persons with disabilities. 
In convening the working 
group, the council shall invite the participation of representatives of the Maine Disability 
Advocacy Coalition and other interested parties. In preparing its recommendations, the 
working group: 
1. May identify terms that it recommends be designated for substitution and may 
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recommend replacement terms; 
2. 
Shall ensure that any proposal for terminology changes retlects a positive 
approach to persons with disabilities; 
3. Shall include in any proposal language that ensures that terminology changes may 
not be implemented if the change would alter or render ambiguous the substantive 
meaning of any statutory unit; 
4. 
Shall ensure that any proposed language changes are not In contlict with or 
prohibited by federal requirements; and 
5. May recommend that each department, bureau and agency of State Government, 
when adopting or amending its rules and policies and when publishing or republishing its 
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publications, incorporate the standards proposed; and be it further 
Sec. 2. Report and recommendations. Resolved: That, by November 1, 2007, 
the council shall report to the loint Standing Committee on Health and Human Services 
the findings and recommendations of the working group, including any necessary 
implementing legislation; and be it further 
Sec. 3. Authority for legislation. Resolved: That, after receipt and review of 
the report and recommendations submitted pursuant to section 2, the loint Standing 
Committee on Health and Human Services may submit legislation to the Second Regular 
Session of the 123rd Legislature. 
SUMMARY 
This resolve directs the Maine Developmental Disabilities Council to convene a 
working group to review the terminology that is currently contained in the Maine Revised 
Statutes to refer to persons with disabilities and authorizes the council to propose 
standards to be used prospectively by the Revisor of Statutes when preparing bills that 
enact or amend legislative language referring to persons with disabilities.