Hawaii bans use of "mental retardation" in all state statutes

Yesterday, a bill that eliminates the usage "mental retardation, retarded, or like terms" in state statutes was signed into law by Hawaii Governor Neil Abercrombie. The measure was authored and introduced by Rep. John Mizuno.

The new law is similar to Rosa's Law, which changes references in federal law from "mental retardation" to "intellectual disability", and references to a "mentally retarded individual" to an "individual with an intellectual disability". The federal law replicates a state law that was passed in Maryland through the efforts of the family of Rosa Marcellino, a 9-year-old girl with Down Syndrome, and their state representative.