Assembly passes bill replacing 'emotionally disturbed person' with 'person experiencing an emotional crisis' in state forms

The Assembly on June 13 approved A.4762B, a bill sponsored by Assemblymember Monique Chandler-Waterman that replaces the phrase “emotionally disturbed person” in public-facing state materials with “person experiencing an emotional crisis.” The measure was advanced after floor discussion and passed the Assembly with recorded support from a majority of members.

Supporters said the change is a small but important step to reduce stigma in government forms and training. Assemblymember Monique Chandler-Waterman, the bill’s sponsor, told colleagues the measure was developed with local and national advocates and the assembly’s mental health committee and that it is “person-centered” and “trauma-informed.” Chandler-Waterman said the change is limited to state and municipal agency materials and does not change clinical diagnoses or police procedures.

Lawmakers pressed the sponsor on practical details. Several members, including Assemblymember Gandolfo, sought assurance that agencies would not be required to replace every existing manual immediately. Chandler-Waterman and staff responded that the law gives agencies up to one year to update materials, and that it is not intended to alter clinical or federal definitions used for long-term medical diagnoses. Assemblymember Gandolfo and others also clarified on the record that the bill is intended for reporting and training contexts (for example, first responders’ incident reports), not to change medical diagnostic criteria or court language.

Other supporters said the language change could deescalate public perception, especially in emergency response situations. Chandler-Waterman argued on the floor: “Shifting from ‘emotionally disturbed person’ to ‘person experiencing an emotional crisis’ is not only person-centered, it is trauma-informed.”

The bill’s text sets an effective date and includes a transition period for agencies to update forms and published materials. The Assembly recorded “ayes” and “nays” on the floor; the bill advanced and was reported as passed by the chamber.

What’s next: The statute takes effect as specified in the bill text. Implementation falls to state and municipal agencies; the bill does not appropriate funds for reprinting or IT changes but provides a one-year window for updates. Agencies will need to incorporate the terminology change into forms, public-posted materials and training on the stated schedule.

Ending note: The change is narrowly procedural—targeting public-facing language on state and municipal materials—but sponsors and supporters framed it as an effort to reduce stigma and make official language consistent with modern, person-centered practice. The bill passed the Assembly; sponsors urged agencies to use the transition period to avoid operational burdens.