Senate passes bipartisan bills to modernize language in state insurance laws
Rep. Perry Warren June 30, 2025 | 12:03 PM
HARRISBURG, June 30 – The Pennsylvania Senate has passed legislation sponsored by state Reps. Perry Warren, D-Bucks, and Tina Pickett, R-Bradford/Wyoming, that updates outdated and offensive language in Pennsylvania’s insurance laws. The legislation now heads to Gov. Josh Shapiro’s desk for his signature.
Warren and Pickett, who serve as the majority and minority chairs, respectively, of the House Insurance Committee, championed these bills to align Pennsylvania law with modern terminology that reflects dignity and respect for individuals with disabilities.
Currently, both the Insurance Company Law of 1921 and the Medical Foods Insurance Coverage Act contain antiquated language such as “physical handicap” and “mental retardation.” While these terms were once commonly used, they are now widely regarded as outdated and stigmatizing.
Disability advocates have long called for their replacement with person-first and more respectful language such as “physical disability” and “intellectual disability.”
House Bill 211 updates the Medical Foods Insurance Coverage Act to reflect these changes in terminology. House Bill 261 makes corresponding updates to the Insurance Company Law of 1921.
“Words matter. With the passage of these bills the language we use in our laws will reflect the respect and dignity that every person deserves,” Warren said.
“The Insurance Company Law was enacted in 1921, over 100 years ago,” Pickett said. “While a product of its time, it uses language that is offensive to the disability community today.”
The Pennsylvania General Assembly has previously passed laws replacing terms such as “handicap” with “disability” and “mental retardation” with “intellectual disability.” However, these changes had not yet been reflected in key areas of insurance law – until now.
“I was happy to partner with Representative Warren to update the terms used in insurance laws to better reflect our values in present day,” Pickett added. “This legislation will allow the commonwealth to engage in respectful dialogue.”
With final passage of H.B.s 211 and 261, Pennsylvania takes another step toward ensuring that all residents are treated with dignity and that the commonwealth’s laws reflect inclusive modern standards.
“This is a change that reflects the values of our commonwealth and supports our disability communities,” Warren said. “This legislation reflects a collaborative, bipartisan effort with Representative Pickett and our colleagues across the aisle to modernize and improve the language of our laws.”
Warren represents the 31st Legislative District, comprised of Lower Makefield, Newtown Borough, Newtown Township, Upper Makefield and Yardley in Bucks County.
Pickett represents the 110th Legislative District comprised of Albany Township, Asylum Township, Athens Borough, Athens Township, Herrick Township, Leraysville Borough, Litchfield Township, New Albany Borough, Orwell Township, Pike Township, Rome Borough, Rome Township, Sayre Borough, Sheshequin Township, South Waverly Borough, Standing Stone Township, Stevens Township, Terry Township, Towanda Borough, Tuscarora Township, Ulster Township, Warren Township, Wilmot Township, Windham Township, Wyalusing Borough, Wyalusing Township and Wysox Township in Bradford County and all of Wyoming County.
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CONTACT: Ryan Bevitz
House Democratic Communications Office
Phone: 717-787-7895
Email: rbevitz@pahouse.net
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