Pennsylvania Act 1980-149 — DOWN'S SYNDROME - PROHIBITING USE OF TERM "MONGOLISM"

Act text

DOWN'S SYNDROME - PROHIBITING USE OF TERM "MONGOLISM"
                 Act of Oct. 10, 1980, P.L. 799, No. 149              Cl. 35
                                  AN ACT

     Prohibiting the utilization of the terms "mongolism" or
        "mongoloid" as a synonym for the genetic disorder known as
        Down's syndrome.

        The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
     hereby enacts as follows:

     Section 1.  Down's syndrome.
        (a)  On and after the effective date of this section, the
     term "mongolism" or "mongoloid" used as a synonym for the
     genetic disorder known as Down's syndrome shall not be utilized
     in any statute, local law, ordinance, charter or rule or
     regulation promulgated or any publication published by the
     Commonwealth or any political subdivision thereof, and the term,
     Down's syndrome, shall be used in place of "mongolism" or
     "mongoloid" when referring to such genetic disorder.
        (b)  Wherever the term "mongolism" or "mongoloid" appears in
     any such statute, local law, ordinance, charter or rule or
     regulation or publication enacted, promulgated or published
     prior to the effective date of this act such term shall be
     deemed to refer to the genetic disorder known as Down's
     syndrome.
        (c)  Whenever the term "mongolism" or "mongoloid" appears in
     any publication of the Commonwealth or any political subdivision
     thereof published prior to the effective date of this section
     which is to be republished on or after January 1, 1981 such
     republication shall be made only after such terms are deleted.
     Section 2.  Effective date.
        This act shall take effect in 60 days.