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S3284
2026 -- S 3284
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LC003822
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STATE OF RHODE ISLAND
IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY
JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2026
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S E N A T E R E S O L U T I O N
COMMEMORATING MAY OF 2026, AS "NATIONAL SPEECH-LANGUAGE-HEARING
MONTH" IN THE STATE OF RHODE ISLAND
Introduced By:
Senators Gallo, DiPalma, Tikoian, Ciccone, Burke, LaMountain, Gu,
Urso, Murray, and Raptakis
Date Introduced:
May 14, 2026
Referred To:
Recommended for Immediate Consideration
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WHEREAS, People seldom talk about hearing and speech problems, but hearing,
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language, voice, and speech disorders are serious, treatable conditions that affect an estimated 48
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million Americans; and
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WHEREAS, Hearing, language, and speech disorders take many forms: babies can be
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born with these disorders, or an accidental injury or illness can cause them at any age. Whatever
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their cause, hearing, language, and speech disorders have serious consequences; and
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WHEREAS, Hearing, language, and speech disorders can limit academic achievement,
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social adjustment, and career advancement; and
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WHEREAS, Audiologists and speech-language pathologists are the professionals who
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treat all types of hearing, language, speech, and related disorders; and
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WHEREAS, Hearing, language, speech, and related disorders make it difficult for people
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to express themselves or to understand the spoken or written word. Anyone of any age can have a
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communication disorder. Hearing, language, and speech disorders are everybody's problem; and
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WHEREAS, Audiologists and speech-language pathologists work in schools, private
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practice, hospitals, clinics, and other health and education settings. They enable and empower
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individuals with communication disorders to lead independent, productive, and fulfilling lives;
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now, therefore be it
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RESOLVED, That this Senate of the State of Rhode Island hereby commemorates May
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of 2026, as "National Speech-Language-Hearing Month" in the State of Rhode Island, and urges
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the Department of Human Services to conduct hearing screenings and other special events to
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remind everyone that now is the best time to listen to sound advice about hearing. We
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furthermore urge the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education to encourage teachers,
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hearing and speech specialists, principals, supervisors, and all the citizens of this state to
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participate in this month-long campaign acknowledging the great strides and invaluable services
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provided by these dedicated teachers and specialists, and to raise public awareness of hearing,
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language, and speech disorders; and 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 duly certified copies of this resolution to the Director of the Rhode Island Department of
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Human Services, the Commissioner of Elementary and Secondary Education for the State of
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Rhode Island, and the President of the Rhode Island Speech-Language-Hearing Association.
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LC003822
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