Brown Signs Bill Removing Outdated Mental Health Language From California Laws
On Friday, Gov. Jerry Brown (D) signed a bill (AB 1847) that removes outdated mental health terms -- such as insane, mentally disordered or defective persons -- from state laws and replaces them with references to developmental and intellectual disabilities and mental health disorders. Assembly member Wesley Chesbro (D-Arcata) said such outdated language increases the stigma that individuals with mental health issues face.
- "Brown Approves Changes to Mental Health References" (AP/Sacramento Bee, 7/18).