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SR 3284

SENATE RESOLUTION COMMEMORATING MAY OF 2026, AS "NATIONAL SPEECH-LANGUAGE-HEARING MONTH" IN THE STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

2026 Regular Session Introduced by John Burke and 9 co-sponsors

Designates May 2026 as National Speech-Language-Hearing Month to raise awareness, encourage screenings, and promote educator and public engagement in RI.

05/14/2026 Senate read and passed
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Bill Summary · SR 3284

Summary of Bill: SR 3284 (Rhode Island) — National Speech-Language-Hearing Month

Bill at a Glance

  • Type: Senate Resolution
  • Jurisdiction: Rhode Island
  • Session: 2026
  • Introduced: May 14, 2026
  • Sponsors: Senators Gallo, DiPalma, Tikoian, Ciccone, Burke, LaMountain, Gu, Urso, Murray, Raptakis (with additional co-sponsors)
  • Status: Recommended for Immediate Consideration (as of May 14, 2026)

Purpose and Intent

  • A ceremonial resolution commemorating the month of May 2026 as “National Speech-Language-Hearing Month” in Rhode Island.
  • Aims to raise public awareness about hearing, language, and speech disorders, their impact, and the roles of professionals who diagnose and treat them.

Key Provisions and Provisions of Change

  • Designation: States that May 2026 shall be observed in Rhode Island as National Speech-Language-Hearing Month.
  • Awareness Objectives:
    • Highlight that hearing, language, voice, and speech disorders are serious, but treatable conditions affecting a broad population (cited as an estimated 48 million Americans nationwide).
    • Emphasize that these disorders can affect individuals at any age, from birth onward, and can impact academics, social development, and career opportunities.
    • Recognize the roles of audiologists and speech-language pathologists as professionals who diagnose and treat these disorders in various settings (schools, hospitals, clinics, private practice, etc.).
  • Public Education Initiatives (Requests to State Agencies):
    • Rhode Island Department of Human Services (DHS): Conduct hearing screenings and organize special events during May to promote hearing health and awareness of listening best practices.
    • Rhode Island Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE): Encourage participation from teachers, hearing and speech specialists, principals, supervisors, and the broader public to participate in the awareness campaign and to recognize the contributions of professionals in the field.
  • Public Communications: Authorizes the Secretary of State to transmit certified copies of the resolution to the DHS Director, the DESE Commissioner, and the President of the Rhode Island Speech-Language-Hearing Association.

Who is Affected

  • State Agencies:
    • Rhode Island Department of Human Services (DHS)
    • Rhode Island Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE)
  • Professionals and Institutions:
    • Audiologists
    • Speech-language pathologists
    • Schools, hospitals, clinics, and private practices involved in evaluating and treating hearing, language, and speech disorders
  • Public: Rhode Island residents, educators, students, and families who may benefit from increased awareness and access to screenings and information about communication disorders.

Procedural and Timeline Aspects

  • Timing: The resolution designates May 2026 as National Speech-Language-Hearing Month.
  • Process: Referred for immediate consideration, indicating a rapid movement through the Senate for potential adoption as a formal expression of legislative recognition.
  • Enforcement/Implementation: As a resolution, it does not create new laws or funding appropriations but requests action by specified state departments and education stakeholders to promote awareness and events during May.

Potential Impact

  • Awareness and Education: Helps unify state-level recognition of hearing, language, and speech disorders, potentially increasing public awareness and reducing stigma.
  • Early Identification: Encourages screenings and events that could lead to earlier identification of communication disorders.
  • Support for Professionals: Acknowledges the work of audiologists and speech-language pathologists and may support continued advocacy within the state.
  • Policy Encouragement: Encourages collaboration between DHS, DESE, and professional associations to advance hearing and communication health initiatives.

Overall, SR 3284 is a ceremonial measure designed to elevate awareness of speech-language-hearing health in Rhode Island during May 2026, with concrete requests to state agencies to promote screenings and educational engagement.

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

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