The Pennsylvania Senate has passed legislation sponsored by state Reps. Perry Warren, D-Bucks, and Tina Pickett, R-Bradford/Wyoming, that updates outdated and offensive language in Pennsylvania’s insurance laws. The legislation now heads to Gov. Josh Shapiro’s desk for his signature.
Warren and Pickett, who serve as the majority and minority chairs, respectively, of the House Insurance Committee, championed these bills to align Pennsylvania law with modern terminology that reflects dignity and respect for individuals with disabilities.
Currently, both the Insurance Company Law of 1921 and the Medical Foods Insurance Coverage Act contain antiquated language such as “physical handicap” and “mental retardation.” While these terms were once commonly used, they are now widely regarded as outdated and stigmatizing.
Disability advocates have long called for their replacement with person-first and more respectful language such as “physical disability” and “intellectual disability.”
House Bill 211 updates the Medical Foods Insurance Coverage Act to reflect these changes in terminology. House Bill 261 makes corresponding updates to the Insurance Company Law of 1921.
“Words matter. With the passage of these bills the language we use in our laws will reflect the respect and dignity that every person deserves,” Warren said.
Credit: House Democratic Communications Office
“The Insurance Company Law was enacted in 1921, over 100 years ago,” Pickett said. “While a product of its time, it uses language that is offensive to the disability community today.”
Credit: PA House of Representatives
The Pennsylvania General Assembly has previously passed laws replacing terms such as “handicap” with “disability” and “mental retardation” with “intellectual disability.” However, these changes had not yet been reflected in key areas of insurance law – until now.
“I was happy to partner with Representative Warren to update the terms used in insurance laws to better reflect our values in present day,” Pickett added. “This legislation will allow the commonwealth to engage in respectful dialogue.”
With final passage of H.B.s 211 and 261, Pennsylvania takes another step toward ensuring that all residents are treated with dignity and that the commonwealth’s laws reflect inclusive modern standards.
“This is a change that reflects the values of our commonwealth and supports our disability communities,” Warren said. “This legislation reflects a collaborative, bipartisan effort with Representative Pickett and our colleagues across the aisle to modernize and improve the language of our laws.”