2026 -- H 8453

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LC004541

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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

COMMEMORATING "NATIONAL INFERTILITY AWARENESS WEEK" ON APRIL 19-25,

2026, IN THE STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

     Introduced By: Representatives McNamara, Shekarchi, Blazejewski, Chippendale,
Kennedy, Ajello, Tanzi, Santucci, Cortvriend, and Boylan

     Date Introduced: April 16, 2026

     Referred To: House read and passed

     WHEREAS, According to RESOLVE: The National Infertility Association, 1 in 6 people

worldwide experience infertility, making it a prevalent public health concern that impacts

millions of families; and

     WHEREAS, The World Health Organization and the American Medical Association

define infertility as a disease, recognizing that it can result from medical, genetic, environmental,

or unexplained causes; and

     WHEREAS, Infertility affects women and men equally and does not discriminate based

on race, religion, sexual orientation, marital status or socioeconomic level; and

     WHEREAS, The LGBTQI+ community also faces challenges when building their

families; and

     WHEREAS, All people challenged in their family-building journey should have access to

all family-building options. Families facing obstacles while trying to start or expand can have

profound emotional, psychological and financial impacts, including stress, anxiety, depression,

and significant out-of-pocket expenses; and

     WHEREAS, Family-building options include adoption, assisted reproductive

technologies, in vitro fertilization (IVF), third-party reproduction, and fertility preservation.

Access to these options is essential to ensuring reproductive equity for all individuals and

couples; and

     WHEREAS, Cost and lack of insurance coverage are challenges for many in our State to

access the family-building option they need; and

     WHEREAS, Raising awareness about infertility and the barriers faced by the family-

building community is the first step to removing these barriers, reducing stigma, supporting

affected individuals and families, and improving access to care; now, therefore be it

     RESOLVED, That this House of Representatives of the State of Rhode Island hereby

joins RESOLVE: The National Infertility Association, dedicated volunteers, health care

professionals, and members of the infertility and family-building community in commemorating

and participating in “National Infertility Awareness Week” on April 19-25, 2026, in the State of

Rhode Island; and be it further

     RESOLVED, That the Secretary of State be and hereby is authorized and directed to

transmit a duly certified copy of this resolution to CEO Danielle Melfi, RESOLVE: The National

Infertility Association.

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