Rosa's Law

On November 17, 2009 Rosa's Law (S. 2781) was introduced as a bipartisan bill to eliminate the use of the term "mentally retarded."

Senators Barbara Mikulski (D-MD) and Michael Enzi (R-WY) introduced this bill to substitute "mental retardation" and "mentally retarded" with the terms "disability" and "individual with intellectual disability." The change in terminology would in no way alter the eligibility requirements for services and supports.

One of the key underpinnings of continued discrimination against people living with intellectual disabilities in this country is labeling and constraining of people by terms with strong negative connotation in every-day language. Removing the offensive term will affect more than 6 million adults and children who are diagnosed with intellectual disabilities in a positive way, showing people respect and changing attitudes. 

With Rosa's Law, the federal government would stand as a role model in honoring the fundamental human values of respect and dignity to facilitate inclusion.

Read Senator Mikulski's statement to the U.S. Senate upon introduction of the bill.

Support Rosa's Law, a bill that calls for the terms "mental retardation" and "mentally retarded" to be replaced with "intellectual disability" and "individual with an intellectual disability" in federal education, health and labor laws.

Please call both of your federal senator's offices and ask them to support Rosa's Law: A bill that calls for the terms "mental retardation" and "mentally retarded" to be replaced with "intellectual disability" and "individual with intellectual disability" in federal education, health and labor law.

The bill does not expand or diminish services, rights or educational opportunities. The bill will make the federal law language consistent with that used by the Centers for Disease Control, the World Health Organization and the President of the United States, through his Committee on individuals with intellectual disabilities.

Locate your senator's office number. If you have feedback, questions, concerns or would like additional information, please contact us..