SENATE RESOLUTION CONGRATULATING RIPIN ON 35 YEARS OF IMPROVING RHODE ISLANDERS' LIVES

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Bob Britto and 9 co-sponsors

Rhode Island Senate recognizes RIPIN for 35 years of peer-based support, saving millions on health coverage and aiding families in health, education, and aging.

05/14/2026 Senate read and passed

Summary of SR 3285 (2026) – Rhode Island

Purpose

To recognize and commend RIPIN (Rhode Island Parent Information Network) on its 35 years of service and its role in improving the lives of Rhode Islanders.

What the bill is

A Senate Resolution (non-binding) that formally acknowledges RIPIN’s impact and partnership with the state.

Introduced by Senators DiPalma, Gallo, and Lawson on May 14, 2026.

Referred for immediate consideration and recommended for passage.

Key provisions and content

Statements of recognition:

RIPIN is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to helping Rhode Islanders navigate health care, special education, and healthy aging to achieve health, education, and socio-economic goals.
Founded in 1991 by parents of children with special needs; maintains a peer-to-peer support model.
Has grown to a statewide network of more than 100 peer professionals, many of whom have personal experience with disabilities or special health/education needs.
A majority of RIPIN’s board members are parents of children with special needs from birth to age 26.
RIPIN provides one-on-one assistance, workshops, and learning opportunities to help navigate complex care systems.

Impact metrics highlighted:

RIPIN’s health insurance call center has saved Rhode Islanders more than $10 million since 2018 by resolving coverage issues and preventing avoidable costs.
The organization supports parents and caregivers in special education, helping families understand rights, advocate for children, and collaborate with schools.
It is Rhode Island’s federally designated Parent Training and Information Center (PTIC) and Family-to-Family (F2F) Health Information Center.
RIPIN advances healthy aging by assisting older adults to stay healthy, active, and independent, and to access needed care.
Since 2017, RIPIN has recorded hundreds of thousands of interactions annually, with more than 115,000 client encounters in 2025.

Formal recognition:

The Senate recognizes RIPIN as an indispensable partner in strengthening Rhode Island’s safety net, promoting equity, and ensuring access to supports.
The Senate congratulates RIPIN on its 35th anniversary and commends its leadership, staff, and peer professionals.

Who/what is affected

Directly, RIPIN itself (an informational and advocacy organization) is the beneficiary of formal recognition.

Indirectly, the recognition highlights RIPIN’s role in Rhode Island’s health care, special education, aging, and disability support systems, potentially reinforcing awareness of and engagement with RIPIN’s services among families, caregivers, and professionals.

Procedural and timeline aspects

Introduced: May 14, 2026.

Action status: Recommended for Immediate Consideration by the Senate.

Policy effect: Non-binding ceremonial acknowledgment; no changes to statutes, funding, or regulatory authority are enacted by this resolution.

The Secretary of State is authorized to transmit a certified copy of the resolution to RIPIN.

Bottom line

SR 3285 is a commemorative Senate resolution formally recognizing RIPIN’s 35-year contributions to Rhode Island, emphasizing its peer-based model, leadership, extensive reach (including PTIC and F2F designations), measurable cost savings in health coverage, and ongoing support for families, individuals with disabilities, and healthy aging.