HB 1119 - Intellectual Disabilities

• Substitutes the term "intellectual disability" for "mental retardation" throughout Florida Statutes to align with modern terminology and clinical definitions.

• Replaces references to the "Association for Retarded Citizens" with "Arc of Florida" in relevant statutory sections.

• Clarifies that the terms "intellectual disability" and "intellectually disabled" are interchangeable with and have the same meaning as "mental retardation" and "mentally retarded" for purposes of criminal laws, court rules, and capital sentencing procedures.

• Applies terminology changes across multiple Florida code areas including child welfare proceedings, court procedures, corrections, juvenile justice, and health service provisions.

• Takes effect July 1, 2013, with a directive that the act does not expand or contract the scope of any provision or change application to any person.