Legislative and Advocacy Round-up for May 2023

Legislative and Advocacy Round-up

To inform brain injury advocates about

grassroots advocacy and public policy

May 2023

Upcoming Events

July 8
August 5
September 9
October 7
November 4
December 2

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.

Two-Bill Package to Bolster Home Health Care Services Released from Health Committee

The Senate Health, Human Services and Senior Citizens Committee released legislation sponsored by Senator Joe Vitale and Senator Troy Singleton that would help ease the regulatory and financial burdens on eligible residents who prefer to receive health care services and treatment in their own homes or community, as opposed to a hospital, or institutional setting.

The first bill, S-3495, would provide presumptive eligibility for home and community based services under Medicaid, including those individuals awaiting an eligibility determination for Medicaid and any applicable Medicaid waiver program offering home and community-based services.

The second bill, S-3626, establishes the "Hospital at Home Act," which would require the Department of Health (DOH) to establish a program permitting a hospital to provide acute care services to an individual outside of the hospital's licensed facility and within a private residence designated by the covered person.

The bill would serve to codify a pilot program that originated under the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) during the COVID-19 pandemic. Hospitals already approved and participating in the federal program would be integrated into the State program.

The New Jersey Legislative Disability Caucus recording of Housing Roundtable is Available

The bipartisan and bicameral New Jersey Legislative Disability Caucus, in April, had a roundtable discussion on housing issues. Access a recording of the discussion by clicking HERE.

New Jersey Partners in Policymaking

Accepting Applications

Until June 30, 2023

New Jersey Partners in Policymaking is a leadership development and advocacy education program for adults with developmental disabilities (over age 21) and family members of young children and transition age youth available through collaboration between The New Jersey Council on Developmental Disabilities, The Boggs Center on Developmental Disabilities, and Disability Rights New Jersey. The goal of this program is to prepare the next generation of disability advocates to work toward meaningful change in our state. Learn more HERE and access an application HERE.

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

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

Senators Teresa Ruiz, Robert Singer, Patrick Diegnan, Samuel Thompson and members of the General Assembly, Verlina Reynolds-Jackson, Aura Dunn, Brandon Umba, Kevin Rooney

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 State Legislature

S1631 - Establishes program in DOLWD to connect persons with disabilities with job training and employment.

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

S3495 - Provides for presumptive eligibility for home and community-based services under Medicaid.

A1174 - 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.

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

In the United States Congress

S1731 / HR 3550 - A bill to provide grants to enable nonprofit disability organizations to develop training programs that support safe interactions between law enforcement officers and individuals with disabilities and older individuals.

Join the United States Brain Injury Alliance as an Advocate Member

The United States Brain Injury Alliance (USBIA) invites those with an interest in brain injury to join the Alliance as Advocate Members! Persons with brain injury, family members, caregivers, and medical professionals are all encouraged to join USBIA and be a part of a nation-wide community of advocates seeking to prevent brain injury and improve lives!

Click HERE to fill out the form to join USBIA as an Advocate Member.

Encourage Your Members of Congress to join the Congressional Brain Injury Task Force

The Task Force works to increase awareness of brain injury in the United States, supports research initiatives for rehabilitation and potential cures, and strives to address the effects such injuries have on families, children, education, and the workforce. Learn how to invite your Member of Congress to join HERE.