Evers orders removal of offensive wording in state code

MADISON, Wis. (AP) — Democratic Gov. Tony Evers has ordered the replacement of derogatory or offensive terminology from state administrative code.

Evers issued the order Tuesday. It essentially replicates what Republican lawmakers were trying to do with a bill making its way through the Legislature.

Evers ordered replacing the term “mental retardation” and all its derivatives with the phrase “intellectual disability.” It also calls for replacing “handicapped” with “disabled.”

A state law in 2012 already removed all forms of the word “retarded” from the law. Senate Majority Leader Scott Fitzgerald and state Rep. John Jagler have a bill this year removing the wording from administrative code.

A hearing on that bill was scheduled for Wednesday.

Evers’ order requires state agencies to identify and replace any derogatory or offensive terminology within 90 days.