Words like "lunatic" and "lunacy" would be taken out of the state's law books under a measure proposed by Sen. John Mannion. 

The measure would also end the use of the term "mentally ill person" with "person with a mental disability." 

Mannion's bill was advanced from committee earlier on Tuesday. 

The current usage has evolved, Mannion said, and words like "lunatic" represent an outdated usage. 

“Sections of New York State law still use language inferring that people with mental disabilities are somehow inferior, a notion I completely reject,” Mannion said.”It is time to update our laws to reflect reality and the strides that have been made in recognizing and treating mental disabilities.”

The are currently more than 30 instances of the term "mentally ill" in current state laws which would be replaced if Mannion's bill becomes law.