Words Matter Act of 2025 removes outdated terms "mentally retarded" and "mental retardation" from federal law.
The Words Matter Act of 2025 updates federal statutes by replacing the terms "mentally retarded" and "mental retardation" with "individuals with intellectual disabilities" and "intellectual disability." This change is made across various laws, including the Indian Health Care Improvement Act, the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968, and the Social Security Act. The act ensures that the change in terminology does not alter existing coverage, eligibility, rights, responsibilities, or definitions.
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- Overview
- Core Provisions
- Implementation
- Impact
- Legal Framework
- Critical Issues
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