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House Co-Sponsorship Memoranda
House of Representatives
Session of 2015 - 2016
Regular Session
MEMORANDUM
| Posted: | September 16, 2015 12:17 PM |
|---|---|
| From: | Representative Warren Kampf |
| To: | All House members |
| Subject: | Amending the Pennsylvania Human Relations Act to remove the word “handicap” |
| In the near future, I intend to introduce legislation to amend the Pennsylvania Human Relations Act (PHRA) to remove the word “handicap” while leaving in place disability as a protected class. As a matter of law, this is a technical change that does not change the scope or meaning of the Act. However, it is an important change to remove antiquated language and to use best practices in discussing people with disabilities in law. According to the Americans with Disabilities Act National Network, “‘handicapped’ is an outdated and unacceptable term to use when referring to individuals or accessible environments.” In fact, “handicap” does not appear in the Americans with Disabilities Act at all. While it may have been a common term decades ago when the PHRA was drafted, it is now outdated. This revision to the PHRA is a natural next step after the unanimous passage of House Resolution 305 in June. Introduced by Representative DiGirolamo, HR 305 resolved that the House recognizes “that the use of language that is not person-first language with respect to people with disabilities hinders their integration, inclusion, participation and respect in society and negatively influences government decisions, policies and laws” and that the House urges “adoption and utilization by the Commonwealth of person-first language with respect to people with disabilities.” Throughout the act, “handicap” and “disability” are used interchangeably. My bill will simply remove “handicap” where it is found and leave disability intact to cover the totality of the protected class. I hope that you will co-sponsor this legislation. |
Introduced as HB1664