Legislative and Advocacy Round-up for June 2023

Legislative and Advocacy Round-up

To inform brain injury advocates about

grassroots advocacy and public policy

June 2023

Upcoming Events

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Brain Injury Resource Center

Whether you have a brain injury or concussion, are a caregiver or a professional, the Brain Injury Alliance of New Jersey has resources available for you. If you’re in need of further assistance, please contact the Helpline at 1-800-669-4323, or info@bianj.org.

Visit the Resource Library

Brain Injury Support Groups

Brain injury support groups allow people with brain injuries and their family members to meet others in similar situations. They gain valuable emotional support, form friendships, obtain information, and discuss a variety of brain injury topics.

Find a Support Group

CARES Program

The BIANJ CARES (Care, Assistance, Resources, Education and Support) Program supports individuals and families impacted by brain injury through care management. This program focuses on assessing current needs and developing a plan to help individuals achieve greatest potential and improve quality of life.

More about CARES

Support Coordination

The Alliance is an approved Division of Developmental Disabilities (DDD) /Medicaid-approved Support Coordination agency. Support Coordinators provide care management services to adults 21 + who are eligible for DDD services. Individuals and their families are assisted in identifying services and developing individualized plans based on a person’s needs.

Bill Establishing Reimbursement Rate for Traumatic Brain Injury

Nursing Facilities Approved

Legislation that would establish a minimum NJ FamilyCare reimbursement rate for traumatic brain injury special care nursing facilities was advanced by the New Jersey Senate.

"Reimbursement rates for brain injury services have remained static in recent years despite growing costs. This threatens the ability of providers to meet the complex needs of individuals with brain injuries and provide services within a safe and fulfilling community environment," said Senator Robert Singer, the sponsor of the bill. "My legislation will dramatically increase the reimbursement rate for special care nursing facilities, which will help offset the increased costs of staff and therapy services. This will ensure that people with brain injuries can continue to thrive and reach their optimal recoveries in community settings."

Under Singer's bill, S-2369, the rate increase will align the reimbursement rate for traumatic brain injury special care nursing facilities with the reimbursement rate for other special care nursing facilities.

A special care nursing facility is a State-licensed nursing facility which has been approved by the Department of Human Services to provide care to NJ FamilyCare beneficiaries who require specialized health care services beyond the scope of conventional nursing facility services.

Also ......

Important note about NJ Family Care renewal! Make sure your are covered by NJ FamilyCare. Click HERE to learn how!

Bill to Promote Inclusivity in School Security Drills Passes Senate

In an effort to further protect students with disabilities, the Senate advanced legislation sponsored by Senator Shirley K. Turner and Senator Linda R. Greenstein, which would require schools to ensure that all students fully participate in all school security drills, and that districts account for the needs of students with disabilities.

"School safety drills are important for preparing students and staff to follow a certain protocol under what would ultimately be a stressful situation in an actual emergency," said Senator Turner. "Including students with disabilities in those drills will empower staff to take the steps necessary to protect the lives of everyone in the school community should an emergency ever arise. No child should be an afterthought, and parents of students with disabilities deserve the peace of mind that when faced with a school crisis situation, their children will be brought to safety and will never be left behind."

Under the bill, S-2057, school districts would be required to ensure that a student's individualized education program, individualized health care plan, 504 plan, or service plan documents the student's unique needs in the event of a school security drill or an actual emergency situation.

"Through this legislation, we can ensure that every school is equipped to properly accommodate students with disabilities in emergency plans, " said Senator Greenstein. "Putting supports in place for each students' individual needs is vital to the safety and security of the entire student body."

The program or plan would indicate whether the student is able to safely and fully participate in school security drills without the use of supplementary accommodations.

Thank You!

The Brain Injury Alliance of New Jersey supports a broad range of legislation that relates to brain injury. We appreciate those members of the State Legislature or the United States Congress who support bills by registering as a cosponsor of or introducing legislation. We would like to publicly thank the following member(s) for sponsoring the following bills:

In the State Legislature

S2369 - Establishes minimum NJ FamilyCare reimbursement rate for traumatic brain injury special care nursing facilities; establishes enhanced NJ FamilyCare reimbursement rate for nursing facilities under certain circumstances; makes an appropriation.

* Assemblymembers Benjie Wimberly and Yvonne Lopez

S3767 / A5397 - Establishes minimum Medicaid reimbursement rate for structured day program services provided to beneficiary eligible for brain injury services.

* Senators Jon Bramnick, Tony Bucco, Holly Schepisi

* Assemblywoman Angela McKnight

A4296 - Establishes “New Jersey Vision Zero Commission.”

* Assemblymembers Lisa Swain, Sadaf Jaffer, and John McKeon

Legislation that Advanced

Legislation listed below has advanced in the New Jersey State Legislature or the United States Congress. Please contact Tom Grady, Director of Advocacy and Public Affairs, at tgrady@bianj.org, if you would like more information about these bills and/or whether you would like to contact your elected representatives to express your views on these bills.

In the New Jersey Legislature

S146 - Requires certain transportation research to consider needs of individuals with physical, sensory, intellectual, and developmental disabilities.

S1238 / A1693 - Creates resume bank for certain persons with disabilities.

S2057 - Requires certain documentation of needs of students with disabilities during school security drills and emergency situations and in school security plans; requires staff training on needs of students with disabilities in emergency planning.

S3011 - Extends expiration date of P.L.2019, c.248 and clarifies provisions of law that will expire.

S1238 / A1693 - Creates resume bank for certain persons with disabilities.

S3933 - Prohibits sale of certain lithium-ion devices; establishes restrictions on sale, lease, or rental of certain bicycles and scooters; creates fire risk awareness campaigns.

A1701 - Establishes permanent unit in Office of Emergency Management to address access and functional needs of residents related to disasters and emergencies.

A5225 - Provides for coverage of community-based palliative care benefits under Medicaid.

A3328 - Requires certain transportation research to consider needs of individuals with physical, sensory, intellectual, and developmental disabilities.

A4296 - Establishes "New Jersey Vision Zero Commission."

A4800 - Extends expiration date of P.L.2019, c.248 and clarifies provisions of law that will expire.

A5225 - Provides for coverage of community-based palliative care benefits under Medicaid.

A5569 - Requires Division of Developmental Disabilities to develop guidelines for tiered group home placements and transfers.

MSKTC Seeks TBI Ambassadors

The Model Systems Knowledge Translation Center (MSKTC) is a resource for people with brain injury and their families. MSKTC seeks people impacted by TBI and TBI researchers or clinicians to become an ambassador. The MSKTC Ambassador Program connects people who are passionate about improving the lives of people living with TBI. Ambassadors take part in research activities, help create and test MSKTC resources, and share them with those who will benefit from them most. Learn more HERE.

Brain Injury Alliance of New Jersey www.bianj.org