Gov. Tony Evers Signs First Bill Into Law

The phrase “mental retardation” has been stripped from state regulations under a new law signed Tuesday by Gov. Tony Evers.

The law replaces the term with “intellectual disability” in rules written by state government.

It was the first piece of legislation signed by the new Democratic governor, who was sworn in January.

“Everyone deserves to be treated with kindness and dignity and empathy and respect every day, and that includes making sure our laws and codes that govern our state reflect those values,” Evers said.

Fifteen-year-old Abigail Kaiser, a Madison resident with Down syndrome, introduced the governor at the bill signing event at the state Capitol. Abigail outlined her interests at school, including acting and science, and said she’s looking forward to getting her first paid job this summer and exploring career options.

“People with disabilities deserve opportunities to have real jobs,” she said.

Abigail ’s mother, Danielle Kaiser, said replacing the “hurtful” language is important to her daughter and her peers with disabilities.

“We want them to believe that they can do what they want to do — things like being in a relationship, voting and participating in her community as if she were not a person with a disability,” Kaiser said. “That old language left people with preconceived notions of limits.”

The bill had bipartisan support in the Republican-controlled state Legislature, but it didn’t make its way to Evers’ desk without controversy.

Last month, the governor signed an executive order making a similar change to state rules.

The Republican sponsors of the new law expressed frustration with the governor earlier this month, saying he missed an opportunity for bipartisan cooperation by signing the executive order, rather than simply signing the bipartisan bill.

Lawmakers passed and former Gov. Scott Walker signed a law removing the phrase “mental retardation” from state laws in 2011.