SENATE RESOLUTION PROCLAIMING MAY 2026, TO BE "ALS AWARENESS MONTH" IN THE STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Pete Appollonio and 9 co-sponsors

Designates May 2026 as ALS Awareness Month in Rhode Island to raise public awareness and support for ALS research, patients, and related resources.

05/19/2026 Senate read and passed

Summary of Bill SR 3305 (2026) – Rhode Island

What this bill is and its purpose

Type: Senate Resolution

Jurisdiction: Rhode Island

Title: Proclaims May 2026 as “ALS Awareness Month” in the State of Rhode Island

Purpose: Officially recognize ALS (Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis) and designate May 2026 as ALS Awareness Month to raise public awareness, show support for those affected, and recognize ongoing efforts toward a cure and better treatments.

Key provisions and changes

Formal declaration: The Rhode Island Senate declares May 2026 to be ALS Awareness Month.

Public education and awareness: Urges Rhode Island citizens to educate themselves about ALS and to support efforts to combat the disease “by all means possible.”

Authorization for transmission: Directs the Secretary of State to transmit a certified copy of the resolution to ALS United RI (the Rhode Island chapter of ALS organizations).

Who or what would be affected

Primary impact: Awareness and recognition within the state of Rhode Island, potentially influencing public discourse, media coverage, and outreach during May 2026.

Target beneficiaries: Individuals living with ALS, their families and caregivers, veterans (noted in the bill’s background statements as higher risk), researchers, and organizations supporting ALS research and patient resources.

Stakeholders mentioned in the background:

The ALS community and patients
Researchers and clinical trial participants
Veterans and military service members (ALS is noted as a service-connected disease by VA)
ALS organizations (e.g., ALS United RI, The ALS Association)

Procedural and timeline aspects

Introduction and sponsorship: Introduced by Senator Victoria Gu on May 19, 2026; co-sponsored by Senator Gu.

Legislative action: Referred to committee and recommended for immediate consideration (i.e., a fast-track resolution without substantive policy changes requiring hearings or votes on substantive language).

Effective date: This is a concurrent official recognition, effective upon passage by the Rhode Island Senate (as a resolution). No appropriation or regulatory changes are proposed.

Publication/communication: The Secretary of State is authorized to deliver a certified copy of the resolution to ALS United RI, ensuring formal acknowledgment.

Context and intent

Rationale provided in the resolution emphasizes the impact of ALS, the importance of access to therapies and assistive technologies, and the role of clinical trials.

The bill cites statistics on prevalence, prognosis, and the higher incidence among veterans, underscoring broader public health and service-connected concerns.

Bottom line

SR 3305 is a nondirective, symbolic measure that designates May 2026 as ALS Awareness Month in Rhode Island, aims to increase public understanding and support for ALS research and patient resources, and directs formal communication to a relevant ALS organization in the state. No funding or regulatory changes are included.