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Committee hears bill to replace 'hearing impaired' with 'deaf or hard of hearing' in Montana law
Summary
Representative Connie Keogh introduced House Bill 184 to standardize Montana Code language by replacing 'hearing impaired' with 'deaf or hard of hearing'; proponents from disability-led organizations testified the change removes stigma while sponsors said services and benefits would not be affected.
Representative Connie Keogh opened the hearing on House Bill 184, saying the measure would modernize language across Montana Code by replacing terms such as 'hearing impaired' with 'deaf or hard of hearing' and standardizing several related definitions. Keogh said staff identified roughly 13 statutory references that would be updated and that an amendment would clarify the change would not alter benefits or services.
Multiple proponents, many speaking remotely, urged the committee to pass the bill. Jennifer Hensley, testifying for Ability Montana, said words matter and urged lawmakers not to dismiss the bill as merely symbolic. "Words matter," Hensley said, asking the committee to vote yes.
Tyler Hansen, president of the Montana Association for the Deaf, told the committee the phrase 'hearing impaired' often carries connotations of being 'broken' and that the community prefers identity-based terms. "The word impaired in reference to the deaf and hard of hearing community is seen as an insult," Hansen said, adding that the community should define its own terminology.
Other speakers who identified as Deaf or as family members of Deaf children made similar points, saying the shift affirms dignity and inclusion. Tessa Williams and Eliza Craig described how language shapes perception and urged lawmakers to let the Deaf community lead on terminology choices.
Committee members asked practical questions about cross-references to federal language and other chapters of Montana law, including health insurance and workers' compensation. Representative Kiel asked whether changing state terminology could affect federal funding or statutory compatibility; Keogh and staff said they had investigated federal alignment and found no impact to services or benefits.
Representative Cunningham asked whether vision-related terminology was considered; Keogh said proponents advised the committee that the vision community prefers different language and that changes to visual-impairment terms were not included in this bill.
Keogh closed by saying HB184 is intended to affirm dignity without changing service eligibility. The hearing was closed; the sponsor indicated she would offer an amendment and pursue executive action when the bill is scheduled.
