Sponsors (15)
I'll give you the short version of this bill.
This is not an official government website.
Copyright © 2026 PLEJ LC. All rights reserved.
Amends subsection 232(d)(4)(A) of the National Housing Act (12 U.S.C. 1715w(d)(4)(A)) by replacing the phrase "the mentally retarded or developmentally disabled" with "individuals with intellectual or developmental disabilities".
Amends section 701 of the Indian Health Care Improvement Act (25 U.S.C. 1665) by striking the term "mental retardation" and inserting "intellectual disability" wherever it appears in that section.
Amends the grant-authority provisions (34 U.S.C. 10471) to replace usages of "mental retardation" and related phrasing with "intellectual disabilities," and to change phrases such as "a mentally ill or mentally retarded offender" to "an offender who has a mental illness or intellectual disability."
Amends the definitions in 34 U.S.C. 10472 to remove the term "mental retardation" and replace it with terminology such as "intellectual disability" or "intellectual disabilities" where the term appears in definitions (including the definition of "preliminarily qualified offender with mental illness, mental retardation, or co-occurring mental and substance abuse disorders").
Amends Title XVII provisions (42 U.S.C. 1391 and related sections) by replacing language that references "combat mental retardation" and similar phrasing with language referencing meeting the needs of "individuals with intellectual disabilities," including changes to the title heading and statutory text where that phrasing appears.
Amends numerous provisions within Title XIX (42 U.S.C. 1396 et seq.) to replace references to "mentally retarded," "intermediate care facility for the mentally retarded," and similar terminology with "individuals with intellectual disabilities," "intermediate care facilities for individuals with intellectual disabilities," and updated phrasing throughout specified subsections (including amendments to 1905(d), 1910, 1915(c)(7)(C), 1919, and related headings and clauses).
Replaces outdated, stigmatizing terms such as “mental retardation” and “the mentally retarded” across federal statutes and related regulations with contemporary, non‑stigmatizing language like “intellectual disability” or “individuals with intellectual disabilities.” Agencies must update regulations to reflect the new words and explicitly note the terms they replace, but the changes are expressly non‑substantive and do not alter coverage, eligibility, rights, responsibilities, or legal definitions in the affected laws.
Amend 10 U.S.C. section 1079(d)(3)(B) by striking the phrase "is moderately or severely mentally retarded, has a serious physical disability, or has" and inserting "has a moderate to severe intellectual disability, a serious physical disability, or". This affects the provision on contracts for medical care for spouses and children.
Amend section 232(d)(4)(A) of the National Housing Act (12 U.S.C. 1715w(d)(4)(A)) by striking "the mentally retarded or developmentally disabled" and inserting "individuals with intellectual or developmental disabilities". This concerns mortgage insurance for nursing homes, intermediate care facilities, and board and care homes.
Amend 18 U.S.C. section 3596(c) by striking "is mentally retarded" and inserting "has an intellectual disability". This changes language relating to implementation of a sentence of death.
Amend section 4(9)(A) of the Indian Health Care Improvement Act (25 U.S.C. 1603(9)(A)) by striking "mental retardation" and inserting "intellectual disability" in the definition of fetal alcohol syndrome.
Amend section 701 of the Indian Health Care Improvement Act (25 U.S.C. 1665) by striking "mental retardation" and inserting "intellectual" each place it appears (general programs definitions).
Who is affected and how:
Individuals with intellectual disabilities: Benefit from updated, non‑stigmatizing language in federal laws and regulations, which can improve respectful references in official documents and communications. The Act does not change who qualifies for benefits or the legal protections they receive.
Recipients of federal programs and services: Any program or benefit that cited the older terminology will now be read using the updated language; program rules, eligibility, and benefits remain the same.
Federal agencies: Must identify and amend affected regulations to replace the outdated terms, and when doing so must include an explicit statement that the new terms correspond to formerly used terms. This requires administrative action but not program redesign or new funding.
Legal professionals, courts, and program administrators: Will need to interpret citations and cross‑references in light of the updated language; the Act makes clear that citations to the old language should be read as references to the new terms and that substantive law is unchanged.
State governments: Not required to amend their own laws; they may choose to adopt similar wording at their discretion. The Act explicitly avoids imposing a requirement on States to change state law language.
Overall effect:
Expand sections to see detailed analysis
Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
Introduced May 15, 2025 by Pete Sessions · Last progress May 15, 2025
Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
Introduced in House