Bill would delete ’mental retardation’ from Ohio laws
COLUMBUS (AP) — A bill that seeks to delete the term “mental retardation” from the state’s laws has cleared the Ohio House.
The measure would replace such references in law with the term “intellectual disability.” Along with other changes, the bill would specify that an intellectual disability is a form of developmental disability.
The bill passed today on a 95-0 vote.
In 2009, a state law changed the name of the Ohio Department of Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities to the Department of Developmental Disabilities. The law didn’t change other references to mental retardation.
The bill also would change the criteria by which a person could be determined to have a moderate level of intellectual disability and be subject to institutionalization by court order.
The legislation now goes to the Senate for consideration.