Page:United States Statutes at Large Volume 124.djvu/2671

This page needs to be proofread.

124 STAT. 2645 PUBLIC LAW 111–256—OCT. 5, 2010 LEGISLATIVE HISTORY—S. 2781: SENATE REPORTS: No. 111 –244 (Comm. on Health, Education, Labor, and Pen- sions). CONGRESSIONAL RECORD, Vol. 156 (2010): Aug. 5, considered and passed Senate. Sept. 22, considered and passed House. SEC. 3. REGULATIONS. For purposes of regulations issued to carry out a provision amended by this Act— (1) before the regulations are amended to carry out this Act— (A) a reference in the regulations to mental retardation shall be considered to be a reference to an intellectual disability; and (B) a reference in the regulations to the mentally retarded, or individuals who are mentally retarded, shall be considered to be a reference to individuals with intellec- tual disabilities; and (2) in amending the regulations to carry out this Act, a Federal agency shall ensure that the regulations clearly state— (A) that an intellectual disability was formerly termed mental retardation; and (B) that individuals with intellectual disabilities were formerly termed individuals who are mentally retarded. SEC. 4. RULE OF CONSTRUCTION. This Act shall be construed to make amendments to provisions of Federal law to substitute the term ‘‘an intellectual disability’’ for ‘‘mental retardation’’, and ‘‘individuals with intellectual disabil- ities’’ for ‘‘the mentally retarded’’ or ‘‘individuals who are mentally retarded’’, without any intent to— (1) change the coverage, eligibility, rights, responsibilities, or definitions referred to in the amended provisions; or (2) compel States to change terminology in State laws for individuals covered by a provision amended by this Act. Approved October 5, 2010. States. 20 USC 1400 note. 20 USC 1400 note.