MS HB251

Directs legislative drafting offices and state agencies to replace outdated disability terminology ("disabled," "mentally ill," "mentally retarded," "handicapped," "crippled") with person-first language ("persons with disabilities," "persons with mental illness," "persons with intellectual or cognitive disabilities") in all new and existing statutes and rules.

Applies terminology modernization across 93 sections of Mississippi Code covering education, healthcare, employment, housing, corrections, and social services.

Establishes that failure to comply with the new terminology requirements does not invalidate any statute, memorial, resolution, or agency rule.

Makes technical corrections and updates related references throughout Mississippi Code to align with modernized disability language standards.

Effective July 1, 2016.