H.R. 6163House118th Congress (2023-2025)In Committee

Words Matter for the District of Columbia Courts Act

AI-Generated Summary

Updated January 20, 2026 at 12:41 PM UTC

The bill updates the District of Columbia’s official code to use respectful language when referring to people with intellectual disabilities. It replaces outdated terms like “substantially retarded persons” with “persons with moderate intellectual disabilities.” The changes apply to the jurisdictional language for the U.S. District Court, the D.C. Superior Court, and the Family Court, affecting how these courts describe the individuals they serve.

Key Provisions

Amends Section 11‑501(2)(D) to replace “substantially retarded persons” with “persons with moderate intellectual disabilities” for U.S. District Court jurisdiction.
Amends Section 11‑921(a)(4)(D) to replace “substantially retarded persons” with “persons with moderate intellectual disabilities” for Superior Court jurisdiction.
Amends Section 11‑1101(a)(15) to replace “the at least moderately mentally retarded” with “persons with moderate intellectual disabilities” for Family Court jurisdiction.

Legislative Activity

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2 earlier actions

HouseIntro Referral Latest Action

Referred to the House Committee on Oversight and Accountability.

Oversight and Government Reform Committee

November 1, 2023

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HouseIntro Referral

Introduced in House

November 1, 2023

HouseIntro Referral

Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR E1038)

November 1, 2023

HouseIntro Referral

Referred to the House Committee on Oversight and Accountability.

Oversight and Government Reform Committee

November 1, 2023

Bill Text

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Introduced in HouseIssued November 1, 2023

118th CONGRESS

1st Session

H. R. 6163

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

November 1, 2023

Ms. Norton (for herself, Mr. Molinaro, Mr. Lynch, Mr. Pocan, Mr. McGovern, Mr. Mullin, Mr. Grijalva, Ms. Crockett, Mr. Duncan, Mr. Doggett, and Mr. Carter of Louisiana) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Oversight and Accountability

A BILL

To amend title 11, District of Columbia Official Code, to revise references in such title to individuals with intellectual disabilities.

Short title

This Act may be cited as the Words Matter for the District of Columbia Courts Act.

References to individuals with intellectual disabilities

(a)

Jurisdiction of United States District Court

Section 11–501(2)(D), District of Columbia Official Code, is amended by striking substantially retarded persons and inserting persons with moderate intellectual disabilities.

(b)

Jurisdiction of Superior Court

Section 11–921(a)(4)(D), District of Columbia Official Code, is amended by striking substantially retarded persons and inserting persons with moderate intellectual disabilities.

(c)

Jurisdiction of Family Court

Section 11–1101(a)(15), District of Columbia Official Code, is amended by striking the at least moderately mentally retarded and inserting persons with moderate intellectual disabilities.