S. 3698 – Words Matter for the District of Columbia Courts Act

AI-Generated Summary

Updated January 20, 2026 at 2:23 PM UTC

The bill updates the District of Columbia’s official code to replace outdated and offensive language describing people with intellectual disabilities. It changes the wording in sections that define the jurisdiction of the U.S. District Court, the D.C. Superior Court, and the Family Court, using the term “persons with moderate intellectual disabilities.” The changes affect how the courts refer to these individuals in legal statutes.

Key Provisions

Amends Section 11‑501(2)(D) to replace “substantially retarded persons” with “persons with moderate intellectual disabilities.”
Amends Section 11‑921(a)(4)(D) to replace “substantially retarded persons” with “persons with moderate intellectual disabilities.”
Amends Section 11‑1101(a)(15) to replace “the at least moderately mentally retarded” with “persons with moderate intellectual disabilities.”

Legislative Activity

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8 earlier actions

HouseFloor Latest Action

Held at the desk.

September 27, 2024 • 10:04 AM

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SenateIntro Referral

Introduced in Senate

January 31, 2024

SenateIntro Referral

Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.

Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee

January 31, 2024

SenateCommittee

Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. Ordered to be reported without amendment favorably.

Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee

April 10, 2024

SenateCommittee

Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. Reported by Senator Peters without amendment. With written report No. 118-219.

Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee

September 10, 2024

SenateCalendars

Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 498.

September 10, 2024

SenateFloor

Passed Senate without amendment by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S6466; text: CR S6466)

September 25, 2024

SenateFloor

Message on Senate action sent to the House.

September 26, 2024

HouseFloor

Received in the House.

September 27, 2024 • 10:02 AM

HouseFloor

Held at the desk.

September 27, 2024 • 10:04 AM

Floor Debate

1 member

What members said about S. 3698 on the floor

1 Democrat

Sen. Charles E. SchumerD-NY · Sep 25, 2024

Madam President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate proceed to the immediate consideration of Calendar No. 498, S. 3698. I ask unanimous consent that the bill be considered read a third time and…

Bill Text

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Engrossed in SenateIssued September 25, 2024

118th CONGRESS

2d Session

S. 3698

AN ACT

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

1.

Short title

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

2.

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.

Passed the Senate September 25, 2024.

Secretary