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§ 40. References to persons with disabilities

Oklahoma Statutes AnnotatedTitle 25. Definitions and General ProvisionsEffective: November 1, 2019

Oklahoma Statutes Annotated
Title 25. Definitions and General Provisions
Chapter 1. Meaning of Terms and Construction of Statutes
Effective: November 1, 2019
25 Okl.St.Ann. § 40
§ 40. References to persons with disabilities
Currentness
A. All new and revised statutes, administrative rules, local laws, ordinances, charters, or regulations promulgated or any publication published by the state or any political subdivision that refers to persons with disabilities shall:
1. Avoid language that:
a. implies that a person as a whole is disabled, such as the “mentally ill” or the “learning disabled”, or
b. equates persons with their condition, such as “epileptics”, “autistics”, or “quadriplegics”; and
2. Replace nonrespectful language by:
a. referring to persons with disabilities as persons first; for example, persons with disabilities, persons with developmental disabilities, persons with mental illness, persons with autism, or persons with intellectual disabilities, and
b. referring to terms such as “mental retardation” or “mentally retarded” with terms such as “intellectual disabilities” or “intellectually disabled”.
B. Violation of this section shall not be grounds to invalidate any new or revised statutes, administrative rules, local laws, ordinances, charters, or regulations promulgated or any publication published by the state or any political subdivision; provided, however, such documents shall be changed to reflect the provisions of this section in subsequent revisions.
C. Nothing in this section shall constitute a requirement to change the name of any agency or program. Existing printed material may be utilized until such time as supplies are required to be replenished.

Credits

Laws 2006, c. 296, § 3, eff. Nov. 1, 2006; Laws 2019, c. 475, § 27, eff. Nov. 1, 2019.
25 Okl. St. Ann. § 40, OK ST T. 25 § 40
Current with emergency effective legislation through Chapter 317 of the First Regular Session of the 59th Legislature (2023). Some sections may be more current, see credits for details.
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