HOUSE RESOLUTION PROCLAIMING MARCH OF 2026, TO BE "BRAIN INJURY AWARENESS MONTH" IN THE STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

H8303

2026 -- H 8303
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LC003536
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STATE OF RHODE ISLAND
IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY
JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2026
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H O U S E R E S O L U T I O N
PROCLAIMING MARCH OF 2026, TO BE "BRAIN INJURY AWARENESS MONTH" IN
THE STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

Introduced By:
Representatives Furtado, Shekarchi, Blazejewski, Kazarian,
Chippendale, Read, Tanzi, Fogarty, Ackerman, and Alzate

Date Introduced:
March 17, 2026

Referred To:
House read and passed
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WHEREAS, The Brain Injury Association of Rhode Island has identified that more than
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12,000 residents of Rhode Island will sustain a traumatic brain injury this year; and
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WHEREAS, The Brain Injury Association of America has identified brain injury as the
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leading cause of death and disability among children and young adults in this country; and
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WHEREAS, Brain injury is an extremely costly public health issue in the State of Rhode
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Island; and
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WHEREAS, Advances in medical technology have enabled many persons with severe
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brain injury to survive these injuries; and
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WHEREAS, Persons with brain injury may need specialized rehabilitation programs and
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other services to meet specific needs to live life to maximum potential; and
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WHEREAS, Most forms of insurance, public and private, that are available to persons
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with brain injuries may not cover the rehabilitative and long-term care needs of these individuals;
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and
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WHEREAS, People with brain injury and their families too often must choose financial
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hardship and discontinuing critical treatment and services due to the substantial long-term costs;
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and
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WHEREAS, Without specialized community services, people with brain injury may
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become inappropriately institutionalized; and
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WHEREAS, Providing treatment methods and services to people with brain injury must

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be a priority for the State of Rhode Island; and
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WHEREAS, Thousands of Rhode Islanders are affected by diseases of the brain, and
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brain injuries both acquired and traumatic including concussion, brain cancer, epilepsy, and other
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neurological disorders; now, therefore be it
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RESOLVED, That this House of Representatives of the State of Rhode Island hereby
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proclaims March of 2026 to be "Brain Injury Awareness Month" in Rhode Island. We
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furthermore encourage all Rhode Islanders to participate in the month-long planned activities
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highlighting the wonders of the brain, and the observation of Brain Injury Awareness Month; and
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be it further
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RESOLVED, That the Secretary of State be and hereby is authorized and directed to
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transmit a duly certified copy of this Resolution to Neil Sharpe, Executive Director of the Brain
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Injury Association of Rhode Island.
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LC003536
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