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Bill

HRES 1158

Recognizing the importance of sleep health and expressing support for the designation of the week of March 9 through March 13, 2026, as "Sleep Awareness Week".

119th Congress Introduced by Madeleine Dean and 1 co-sponsor

The bill designates March 9–13, 2026 as Sleep Awareness Week and promotes public awareness and actions to improve sleep health nationwide.

Submitted in House
0
WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · HRES 1158

Summary of H.R. 1158 (119th Congress, 2nd Session)

Title

Recognizing the importance of sleep health and expressing support for the designation of the week of March 9 through March 13, 2026, as “Sleep Awareness Week”.

Purpose and Intent

  • Officially recognize the importance of sleep health for health, well-being, and safety.
  • Endorse and support designating a national “Sleep Awareness Week” for March 9–13, 2026.
  • Promote awareness of evidence-based sleep health practices and encourage actions to improve public health through better sleep.

Key Provisions

  1. Formal Recognition
    • The House acknowledges the importance of sleep health as a determinant of health, well-being, and safety.
  2. Designation Support
    • Expresses support for designating March 9–13, 2026 as “Sleep Awareness Week.”
  3. Alignment with Public Health Goals
    • Supports the goals and efforts of Sleep Awareness Week to promote healthy sleep habits and practices.
  4. Encouragement and Outreach
    • Encourages public health officials, healthcare providers, educators, parents, and related stakeholders to promote adequate sleep and sleep health.
  5. Public Health Messaging
    • Urges the public to prioritize sleep health, adopt good sleep habits, and discuss sleep with healthcare providers.
  6. Policy Emphasis
    • Recognizes the ongoing importance of policies that aim to improve sleep health.

Stakeholders Affected

  • General public and individuals in the United States (through awareness initiatives and behavior change messaging).
  • Public health officials, healthcare providers, educators, and parents who would be encouraged to promote and discuss sleep health.
  • Organizations involved in sleep research and advocacy (e.g., National Sleep Foundation’s Sleep Awareness Week initiatives).

Background and Context (as referenced in the bill)

  • Sleep is essential for health, well-being, safety, memory, metabolism, and injury prevention.
  • The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends at least seven hours of sleep per night for most adults.
  • Surveys and research (e.g., National Sleep Foundation) indicate a substantial portion of Americans do not achieve the recommended sleep duration.
  • Sleep deprivation is linked to adverse health outcomes (diabetes, cardiovascular disease, hypertension, mental health conditions) and safety risks.
  • Sleep disparities exist, with evidence suggesting Black Americans may experience less adequate or lower-quality sleep compared to White Americans.
  • The bill notes the historical role of federal sleep research and public awareness campaigns, including the National Center on Sleep Disorders Research and Sleep Awareness Week initiatives.

Procedural/Timeline Details

  • Introduced in the House on April 9, 2026 by Rep. Dean (PA) and Rep. Sewell (AL) with co-sponsorship from Rep. Dean and Rep. Sewell.
  • Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
  • No final legislative action or voting outcome is indicated in the text provided; the bill’s effect is primarily recognition and support for a designated awareness period.

Potential Impact

  • Formal congressional recognition can elevate public attention to sleep health.
  • May galvanize public health messaging, educational programs, and partnerships around sleep health during the designated Sleep Awareness Week.
  • Could influence state and local health departments, schools, employers, and healthcare organizations to participate in awareness activities.
  • Serves as a non-binding symbolic measure to prioritize sleep health in policy and public discourse.

Note

  • The bill is a resolution (not a bill to enact new law) and, if enacted, would express the sense of the House regarding sleep health and designate a specific awareness week.

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

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