Kidd’s Stuttering Act
Latest action (29 Jul 2026): Introduced
What this bill does
The Kidd's Stuttering Act would amend the Social Security Act to expand screening and coverage related to childhood stuttering and other speech fluency disorders through Medicaid and CHIP. It directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to add screening for childhood-onset fluency disorders, including stuttering, to the core set of child health quality measures by January 1, 2028, for children ages 2 to 5. Starting January 1, 2029, Medicaid would be required to include such screening as part of standard well-child visits for children in that age range. The bill also requires Medicaid and CHIP, beginning in 2029, to cover speech therapy services for these fluency disorders—including services delivered by telehealth—for individuals under 21 and certain other eligible groups, and mandates that coverage limits for this therapy be no more restrictive than limits applied to therapy for other speech and language disorders already covered.
The bill primarily affects children enrolled in Medicaid and CHIP, their families, state Medicaid and CHIP programs, managed care organizations, and health care providers delivering speech therapy services. States would need to update screening protocols, benefit plans, and managed care contracts to comply with the new requirements.
The bill was introduced in the Senate on July 29, 2026, by Senator Jim Banks with two cosponsors, and has been referred to the Senate Committee on Finance for consideration. It has not yet been voted on, and further committee action or amendments would be needed before it could move to a full Senate vote.
Plain-English summary generated by Bill100 AI from the official record. Always verify against the source below.
Official summary
This bill is in the first stage of the legislative process. It was introduced into Congress on July 29, 2026. It will typically be considered by committee next before it is possibly sent on to the House or Senate as a whole.
Common questions
- What does S. 5172 do?
- The Kidd's Stuttering Act would amend the Social Security Act to expand screening and coverage related to childhood stuttering and other speech fluency disorders through Medicaid and CHIP. It directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to add screening for childhood-onset fluency disorders, including stuttering, to the core set of child health quality measures by January 1, 2028, for children ages 2 to 5. Starting January 1, 2029, Medicaid would be required to include such screening as part of standard well-child visits for children in that age range. The bill also requires Medicaid and CHIP, beginning in 2029, to cover speech therapy services for these fluency disorders—including services delivered by telehealth—for individuals under 21 and certain other eligible groups, and mandates that coverage limits for this therapy be no more restrictive than limits applied to therapy for other speech and language disorders already covered. The bill primarily affects children enrolled in Medicaid and CHIP, their families, state Medicaid and CHIP programs, managed care organizations, and health care providers delivering speech therapy services. States would need to update screening protocols, benefit plans, and managed care contracts to comply with the new requirements. The bill was introduced in the Senate on July 29, 2026, by Senator Jim Banks with two cosponsors, and has been referred to the Senate Committee on Finance for consideration. It has not yet been voted on, and further committee action or amendments would be needed before it could move to a full Senate vote.
- Has S. 5172 become law?
- Not yet. As of 29 Jul 2026, S. 5172 is introduced.
- Who sponsored S. 5172?
- S. 5172 was sponsored by Sen. Jim Banks [R-IN] (Republican-IN), with 2 cosponsors.
- What's the latest action on S. 5172?
- Introduced (29 Jul 2026).
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