BILL ANALYSIS Ó
SENATE COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION
Senator Carol Liu, Chair
2015 - 2016 Regular
Bill No: ACR 60
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|Author: |Santiago |
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|Version: |May 20, 2015 Hearing |
| |Date: June 17, 2015 |
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|Urgency: |No |Fiscal: |No |
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|Consultant:|Lynn Lorber |
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Subject: Education: students with disabilities
SUMMARY
This resolution resolves that the Legislature affirms that state
policies and procedures should use People First Language to the
greatest extent possible.
BACKGROUND
Existing federal and state law require that every pupil with
exceptional needs be provided a free appropriate public
education in the least restrictive environment. (United States
Code, Title 20, § 1400 et seq. and Education Code § 56000 et
seq.)
ANALYSIS
This resolution resolves that the Legislature affirms that state
policies and procedures should use People First Language to the
greatest extent possible, especially those used by State and
local educational agencies. Specifically, this resolution:
1)States that:
a) The language used to refer to students with disabilities
has a profound impact in shaping beliefs and attitudes
about these students, driving policies and laws,
influencing our feelings and decisions, and affecting
students' daily lives.
ACR 60 (Santiago) Page 2
of ?
b) Old, inaccurate, and inappropriate descriptors about
students with disabilities perpetuate negative stereotypes
and attitudinal barriers.
c) When we identify or describe students with disabilities
primarily in terms of their disability or medical
diagnosis, we undervalue and stigmatize them.
d) People First Language is an objective form of
communication that eliminates generalizations and
stereotypes by focusing on the person rather than the
disability.
2)Resolves that the Legislature affirms that state policies and
procedures should use People First Language to the greatest
extent possible, especially those used by state and local
educational agencies.
STAFF COMMENTS
1)Need for the bill. According to the author, "Using thoughtful
terminology can foster positive attitudes about students with
disabilities. One of the major improvements in communicating
verbally or in writing with or about students with
disabilities is People First Language, which places the person
ahead of his or her disability. ACR 60 will encourage greater
respect for children with special needs."
2)Existing efforts to use People First Language. The California
Strategic Plan on Reducing Mental Health Stigma and
Discrimination was adopted by the Mental Health Services
Oversight and Accountability Commission on June 25, 2009.
This plan supports the use of non-stigmatizing terms, such as
People First Language.
Members of the Advisory Commission on Special Education received
orientation and information on the use of People First
Language at their August 13, 2014 meeting.
Several areas of State statutes have been amended in recent years
to update terminology, using People First Language (see
ACR 60 (Santiago) Page 3
of ?
Comment # 4).
3)Fiscal impact. This resolution is keyed as non-fiscal.
4)Prior legislation. AB 1847 (Chesbro, Ch. 144, 2014) among other
things, changed references from "incompetent person" to
"person lacking legal capacity to make decisions," and from
"the mentally ill, mentally defective or epileptic" to
"persons with developmental disabilities or mental health
disorders."
SB 364 (Steinberg, Ch. 567, 2013) among other things, changed
references from "mentally disordered persons" to "persons with
mental health disorders," and from "developmentally disabled
persons" to "persons with developmental disabilities."
SB 1381 (Pavley, Ch. 457, 2012) among other things, changed
references from "mentally retarded persons" to "persons with
intellectual disabilities."
AB 2662 (Committee on Education, Ch. 589, 2012) among other things,
changed references from "mentally retarded pupils" to "pupils
with intellectual disabilities."
SUPPORT
United Domestic Workers of America - American Federation of
State, County and
Municipal Employees Local 3930
OPPOSITION
None received.
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