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Bill

HR 37

Relative to childhood apraxia of speech.

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Dawn Addis and 75 co-sponsors

California House Resolution 37 unanimously calls for statewide action on childhood apraxia of speech screening, diagnosis, and treatment support in educational and healthcare systems.

Read. Adopted. (Page 1513.).
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Bill Summary · HR 37

Legislative bill overview

HR 37 is a California House Resolution addressing childhood apraxia of speech (CAS), a neurological speech sound disorder affecting children's ability to plan and execute speech movements. The resolution was introduced by a bipartisan group of legislators and unanimously passed committee with an adoption recommendation, suggesting it seeks to raise awareness, establish policy direction, or allocate resources related to CAS identification and treatment.

Why is this important

Childhood apraxia of speech affects an estimated 1-2 children per 1,000 births and can significantly impact educational outcomes, social development, and long-term communication abilities if not identified and treated early. Legislative recognition can drive awareness among educators and healthcare providers, potentially improve screening protocols in schools, and influence funding or insurance coverage for speech-language pathology services.

Potential points of contention

  • Funding mechanism unclear: The resolution's status makes it unclear whether it commits state resources or merely expresses intent, which could affect actual service availability
  • Definition and diagnostic criteria: CAS has historically faced underdiagnosis and misdiagnosis; the bill's approach to standardizing identification criteria could be contentious among professionals
  • Insurance and healthcare access: Implementation may require negotiations with healthcare insurers and schools regarding coverage and service provision, raising cost allocation questions

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

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