NC H1021

Replaces the term "mental retardation" with "intellectual disability" throughout North Carolina General Statutes in sections relating to guardianship, competency, sterilization procedures, and criminal law.

Updates terminology in child welfare statutes (G.S. 7B-1111) to use "intellectual disability" instead of "mental retardation" when describing parental incapacity grounds for terminating parental rights.

Modernizes language in criminal statutes involving sexual offenses and assault to use person-first language such as "person who has a mental disability" and "individual with an intellectual or developmental disability" instead of older phrasing.

Revises insurance coverage statutes (G.S. 58-51-25, 58-51-35, 58-51-40) to refer to "children with an intellectual or physical disability" instead of "mentally retarded or physically handicapped children."

Makes technical and grammatical amendments throughout the statutes, including standardized definition formatting and replacing archaic language, with most provisions effective October 1, 2018, and criminal law provisions effective December 1, 2018.