Hill Report: Senate Introduces Bill on Intellectual Disability Terminology

Intellectual Disability Terminology

 

On Tuesday, Senators Barbara Mikulski (D-MD) and Michael Enzi (R-WY) introduced "Rosa's Law"(S. 2781) a bipartisan bill to substitute outdated, stigmatizing terms in federal health, education and labor laws.  The terms "mental retardation" and "mentally retarded" would be substituted with the terms "intellectual disability" and "individual with an intellectual disability."  The change in terminology would in no way alter the eligibility requirements for services and supports.  Click here to read Senator Mikulski's statement to the U.S. Senate upon introduction of the bill.

Thanks to DPC for this update.