It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

SECTION 1. Section 43-3-7 of the General Laws in Chapter 43-3 entitled "Construction and Effect of Statutes" is hereby repealed in its entirety.

43-3-7. "Insane person" defined. -- The words "insane person" shall be construed to include every idiot, person of unsound mind, lunatic, and distracted person.

SECTION 2. Chapter 43-3 of the General Laws entitled "Construction and Effect of Statutes" is hereby amended by adding thereto the following section:

{ADD 43-3-7.1. Use of appropriate disability language. -- Whenever the terms "the handicapped", "handicap person", or "handicapped person" are used in statutes, they shall be replaced with the words "persons with disabilities" or "person with a disability," inclusive, and whenever the term "handicap" is used in statutes, it shall be replaced with the word "disability" provided however this section shall not be applied retroactively but shall be applied prospectively only. ADD}

SECTION 3. Chapter 43-4 of the General Laws entitled "Effect of General Laws" is hereby amended by adding thereto the following section:

{ADD 43-4-18.1. Use of appropriate disability language. -- The office of the law revision officer is authorized and empowered to delete the words "the handicapped" and insert instead the words "people with disabilities" and delete the words "handicap person" or "handicapped person" and insert instead the words "person with disability" and delete the word "handicap" and insert instead the word "disability" in any reenactment of the general laws. ADD}

SECTION 4. This act shall take effect upon passage.