Mikulski proposes removing retardation from laws
Associated Press
11/17/09 3:20 PM EST
BALTIMORE — Maryland Sen. Barbara Mikulski has introduced a bill to remove the words "mental retardation" and "mentally retarded" from federal laws.
Instead, the Democrat said Rosa's Law would require federal education, health and labor laws to use "intellectual disability" and "individual with an intellectual disability."
Mikulski proposed the change to make the government's language consistent with the Centers for Disease Control, World Health Organization and President Barack Obama's Committee on Individuals with Intellectual Disabilities.
In April, Gov. Martin O'Malley signed a state bill, also titled Rosa's Law, to refer to mental retardation as an intellectual disability. State facilities are now centers for people with an intellectual disability, not centers for the mentally retarded.
