US Code

Public Law 119-73 (01/23/2026)

20 U.S.C. § 1140

Definitions

In this part:
(1)

Comprehensive transition and postsecondary program for students with intellectual disabilities

The term “comprehensive transition and postsecondary program for students with intellectual disabilities” means a degree, certificate, or nondegree program that meets each of the following:
(A)
Is offered by an institution of higher education.
(B)
Is designed to support students with intellectual disabilities who are seeking to continue academic, career and technical, and independent living instruction at an institution of higher education in order to prepare for gainful employment.
(C)
Includes an advising and curriculum structure.
(D)
Requires students with intellectual disabilities to participate on not less than a half-time basis as determined by the institution, with such participation focusing on academic components, and occurring through 1 or more of the following activities:
(i)
Regular enrollment in credit-bearing courses with nondisabled students offered by the institution.
(ii)
Auditing or participating in courses with nondisabled students offered by the institution for which the student does not receive regular academic credit.
(iii)
Enrollment in noncredit-bearing, nondegree courses with nondisabled students.
(iv)
Participation in internships or work-based training in settings with nondisabled individuals.
(E)
Requires students with intellectual disabilities to be socially and academically integrated with non-disabled students to the maximum extent possible.
(2)

Student with an intellectual disability

The term “student with an intellectual disability” means a student—
(A)
with a cognitive impairment, characterized by significant limitations in—
(i)
intellectual and cognitive functioning; and
(ii)
adaptive behavior as expressed in conceptual, social, and practical adaptive skills; and
(B)
20 U.S.C. 1400 who is currently, or was formerly, eligible for a free appropriate public education under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act [ et seq.].

Pub. L. 89–329, title VII, § 760Pub. L. 110–315, title VII, § 709(2)122 Stat. 3361Pub. L. 111–39, title VII, § 701(4)123 Stat. 1954Pub. L. 111–256, § 2(a)124 Stat. 2643(, as added , , ; amended , , ; , , .)

Editorial Notes

References in Text

Pub. L. 91–23084 Stat. 175section 1400 of this titleThe Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, referred to in par. (2)(B), is title VI of , , , which is classified generally to chapter 33 (§ 1400 et seq.) of this title. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see and Tables.

Prior Provisions

Pub. L. 89–329, title VII, § 761Pub. L. 105–244, title VII, § 701112 Stat. 1801Pub. L. 110–315, title VII, § 709(2)122 Stat. 3361A prior section 1140, , as added , , , stated the purpose of former part D, prior to repeal by , , .

Amendments

Pub. L. 111–2562010—Par. (2)(A). struck out “mental retardation or” before “a cognitive impairment”.

Pub. L. 111–392009—Par. (1). added par. (1) and struck out former par. (1) which contained provisions substantially similar to new subpars. (A) to (D), defining “comprehensive transition and postsecondary program for students with intellectual disabilities”.

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date of 2009 Amendment

Pub. L. 111–39Pub. L. 110–315section 3 of Pub. L. 111–39section 1001 of this titleAmendment by effective as if enacted on the date of enactment of (), see , set out as a note under .

Definitions

section 2 of Pub. L. 111–256section 2(k) of Pub. L. 111–256section 1400 of this titleFor meaning of references to an intellectual disability and to individuals with intellectual disabilities in provisions amended by , see , set out as a note under .