82nd Texas Legislature, Regular Session, House Bill 1481, Chapter 272 Page: 1 of 5

                                
Chapter 272                                          H. B. No. 1481
1                               AN ACT
2 relating to the use of person first respectful language in
3 reference to individuals with disabilities.
4        BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
5        SECTION 1. Subtitle Z, Title 3, Government Code, is amended
6 by adding Chapter 392 to read as follows:
7       CHAPTER 392. PERSON FIRST RESPECTFUL LANGUAGE INITIATIVE
8        Sec. 392.001. FINDINGS AND INTENT. The legislature finds
9 that language used in reference to persons with disabilities shapes
10 and reflects society's attitudes toward persons with disabilities.
11  Certain terms and phrases are demeaning and create an invisible
12 barrier to inclusion as equal community members. It is the intent
13  of the legislature to establish preferred terms and phrases for new
14 and revised laws by requiring the use of language that places the
15 person before the disability.
16        Sec. 392.002. USE OF PERSON FIRST RESPECTFUL LANGUAGE
17 REQUIRED.   (a) The legislature and the Texas Legislative Council
18  are directed to avoid using the following terms and phrases in any
19 new statute or resolution and to change those terms and phrases used
20 in any existing statute or resolution as sections including those
21 terms and phrases are otherwise amended by law:
22             (1) disabled;
23             (2) developmentally disabled;
24             (3) mentally disabled;