Section 22-50-2.1 - Department - Name changed; transition period(a) All rights, duties, property, real or personal, and all other effects existing in names of the Department of Mental Health and Mental Retardation, or in any other name by which the department has been known, shall continue in the name of the Department of Mental Health. Any existing or future reference to the Department of Mental Health and Mental Retardation, or any other name by which the department has been known, in any existing law, contract, or other instrument shall constitute a reference to the Department of Mental Health.(b) The Advisory Board of Trustees for the Department of Mental Health and Mental Retardation shall continue in existence as the Advisory Board of Trustees of the Department of Mental Health.(c) A reasonable transition period for the name change shall be allowed to permit an orderly and cost-effective transition relating particularly to the use of equipment and supplies. All letterhead, business cards, forms, and any other materials in use by the commission containing the name Department of Mental Health and Mental Retardation shall continue to be used by the Department of Mental Health until the supplies are exhausted. Replacement supplies shall contain the name of the Department of Mental Health.(d) In addition to changes in Section 29-7-13, the Code Commissioner, at times determined appropriate, shall change all references to mental retardation in this code as follows: All references to "mentally retarded" shall be changed to "people with an intellectual disability" and all references to "mental retardation" shall be changed to "intellectual disability." This change in terminology is intended to be a name change only and it shall not limit or expand the eligibility for any programs or services provided by any state or local agency.Ala. Code § 22-50-2.1 (1975)
Act 2009-635, p. 1947, § 2.