Senate Bill 768 - People First Language 2018

• Replaces "mental retardation" with "intellectual disability" throughout North Carolina General Statutes to reflect people-first language conventions.

• Updates definitions and terminology in guardianship, sterilization procedures, criminal law, education, insurance, and health care statutes to use disability-inclusive language.

• Changes references to "handicapped persons" to "individuals with a disability" and "mentally disabled" to "person who has a mental disability" in criminal sexual offense statutes and assault laws.

• Clarifies that existing coverage, eligibility, and benefits for individuals previously diagnosed with mental retardation remain unchanged during the transition to intellectual disability terminology.

• Sections 1-2 effective October 1, 2018; Sections 3-5 effective December 1, 2018; Section 4 and 8 effective December 1, 2018 for offenses committed after that date; remaining sections effective upon enactment.