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Bill

SR 59

A RESOLUTION recognizing May 2026 as Love Your Smile Month.

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Jimmy Higdon

Designates May 2026 as Love Your Smile Month to raise cleft lip/palate awareness and support early intervention and Smile Train’s free cleft-care work.

adopted by voice vote
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Bill Summary · SR 59

Summary of SR 59 (2026RS) – Love Your Smile Month (Kentucky)

Overview

  • Type: Senate Resolution
  • Jurisdiction: Kentucky
  • Session: 2026 Regular Session (2026RS)
  • Title: A RESOLUTION recognizing May 2026 as Love Your Smile Month
  • Sponsor: Senator Jimmy Higdon (co-sponsor)

SR 59 is a ceremonial resolution that designates May 2026 as “Love Your Smile Month.” It aims to raise awareness about cleft lip and cleft palate conditions, promote early intervention and comprehensive care, and highlight the work of Smile Train, a global organization focused on providing free cleft surgeries and related care.

Purpose and Intent

  • Aims to increase public awareness of cleft lip and cleft palate conditions, which are among the most common congenital anomalies.
  • Seeks to reduce stigma associated with cleft conditions.
  • Aligns Kentucky with a broader global effort to improve access to cleft care and early intervention for affected children.
  • Recognizes Smile Train’s mission to provide free cleft surgeries and comprehensive care to children in need and to support efforts to brighten futures for individuals with cleft conditions.

Key Provisions

  • Section 1: Official recognition by the Kentucky Senate that May 2026 shall be designated as “Love Your Smile Month.”
  • Section 2: Directs the Clerk of the Senate to transmit a copy of the resolution to Senator Jimmy Higdon (the sponsor).

Note on Scope

  • The resolution is symbolic and does not enact funding, establish programs, or create regulatory changes.
  • There are no new duties for state agencies or mandatory actions by local governments.
  • The resolution references statistics and aims of public awareness but does not impose immediate operational requirements on healthcare providers or the public.

Affected Parties

  • Primary: General public in Kentucky, particularly families and individuals affected by cleft lip and/or cleft palate.
  • Indirect: Smile Train and the broader cleft-care community, by aligning Kentucky with efforts to raise awareness and support for cleft care.
  • No fiscal impact or administrative changes are mandated by the resolution.

Procedural and Timeline Considerations

  • Introduced: January 23, 2026
  • Referred to: Senate Committee on Committees (S) and then to the Senate floor
  • Adopted: March 27, 2026, by voice vote
  • Effective date: The resolution becomes effective upon adoption by the Senate; it designates May 2026 as Love Your Smile Month.

Notes for Readers

  • This bill is primarily symbolic, aimed at public messaging and awareness rather than policy change.
  • The resolution acknowledges the prevalence of cleft conditions and the work of Smile Train in providing care worldwide.
  • By designating May 2026 as Love Your Smile Month, Kentucky signals support for early intervention, stigma reduction, and global cleft-care initiatives.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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