H.R. 3420 Introduced Health

Words Matter Act of 2025

To amend Federal law to remove the terms "mentally retarded" and "mental retardation", and for other purposes.

  1. Introduced
  2. Committee
  3. Passed House
  4. Passed Senate
  5. To President
  6. Became law
Sponsor Rep. Sessions, Pete [R-TX-17] Introduced May 15, 2025 Cosponsors 15 (10 R, 5 D) Latest action March 26, 2026

Summary

Words Matter Act of 2025
This bill removes outdated terminology in specified statutes by replacing references to mentally retarded and mental retardation with intellectual disability.

Summary by the Congressional Research Service, Library of Congress.

Congress.gov

Actions

  1. Mar 26, 2026 Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by Voice Vote.
  2. Mar 26, 2026 Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
  3. May 15, 2025 Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
  4. May 15, 2025 Introduced in House

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