Legislative and Advocacy Round-up (October 2020)

LEGISLATIVE AND ADVOCACY

ROUND-UP

October 2020

Council for the Head Injured Community to hold meeting focused in transportation concerns; Senator Diegnan and Assemblyman Benson to speak

The Council for the Head Injured Community (CHIC), one of the Brain Injury Alliance of New Jersey’s advocacy committees, will be having a meeting focused on transportation issues. Senator Patrick Diegnan and Assemblyman Daniel Benson are to attend.

Through this meeting, attendees will have the opportunity to present transportation-related concerns, learn about transportation policy that can benefit the brain injury community, and become aware of how State government may be able to assist with transportation-related concerns.

Senator Diegnan (top-right) is chair of the Senate Transportation Committee. Assemblyman Benson (lower-right) is chair of the Assembly Transportation and Independent Authorities Committee. Both are recipients of the Alliance’s James and Sarah Brady Award. This award is presented to an individual or group for public service based on an outstanding record of contributions that further the goals of the Brain Injury Alliance of New Jersey through work at the state and/or local level.

The meeting is to occur 2:00, Monday, November 23 via Zoom.

To register for this event, contact Tom Grady, Director of Advocacy and Public Affairs at tgrady@bianj.org and write TRANSPORTATION in the subject line. Access the event by clicking https://zoom.us/j/92058589783

Committee approves Bucco bill to assist veterans with

PTSD or brain injury

Legislation sponsored by Senator Anthony M. Bucco (right) that would make it easier for veterans to get treatment for post-traumatic stress disorder or total brain injury was approved today by the Senate Military and Veterans' Affairs Committee.

Bucco's bill, S-2821, requires the Adjutant General of the New Jersey Department of Military and Veterans Affairs (DMAVA) to develop a program to help veterans access evaluation and treatment for PTSD or total brain injury diagnosis related to military service.

"Statistics show that almost two of every 10 veterans suffer from post-traumatic stress, and we want to ensure they receive effective treatment," said Bucco (R-25). "It is important that our society care for the service members who put their lives on the line for our freedoms.

The effects of trauma can be treated, but it is important to get the support necessary. Implementing this bill will help reduce some of the wait time and ease the burden."

Under the bill, the program would include offering support and guidance, transportation, and assistance filing disability compensation claims and other paperwork.

Legislation advanced

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

· S-1936/A-2450: Requires DOT Commissioner to advertise availability of certain transportation programs and services.

· S-2736: Provides gross income tax credit to certain totally and permanently disabled veterans for rent constituting property taxes.

· S-2821: Requires Adjutant General of DMVA create program for veterans to receive evaluation and treatment for PTSD and total brain injury.

· S-2867: Expands topics to be covered regarding bicycle and pedestrian safety on MVC driver’s license knowledge test.

· S-2961: Enhances homeowner notification of foreclosure mediation program requirements.

· A-1226: Requires electric public utilities to provide priority power restoration to certain medical facilities, assisted living facilities, and nursing homes

Legislation signed into law by Governor Murphy

· S-2712: Establishes minimum certified nurse aide-to-resident ratios in nursing homes.

· S-2785: Requires DOH to implement and oversee Isolation Prevention Project in long-term care facilities during public emergencies.

New Legislation

· S-3148: Establishes central registry of residents with special needs for use during emergencies.

· A-4766: Requires use of annual baseline concussion testing for student-athletes and cheerleaders in grades six through 12.

Thank you to elected officials for supporting Alliance-backed legislation

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 that support bills by registering as a cosponsor or introduce legislation. We would like to publicly thank the following member(s) for sponsoring the following bills:

S-265: Requires electric public utilities to provide priority power restoration to certain medical facilities, assisted living facilities, and nursing homes.

o Senator Nellie Pou

S-2736: Provides gross income tax credit to certain totally and permanently disabled veterans for rent constituting property taxes.

o Senators Chris Brown, Christopher Connors, Nilsa Cruz-Perez, Nellie Pou

S-2821: Requires Adjutant General of DMVA create program for veterans to receive evaluation and treatment for PTSD and total brain injury.

o Senators Chris Brown, Christopher Connors, Nilsa Cruz-Perez, Nellie Pou

S-2867: Expands topics to be covered regarding bicycle and pedestrian safety on MVC driver’s license knowledge test.

o Senator Nellie Pou

S-2999: Expands purpose of Traumatic Brain Injury Fund to support transportation costs incurred by eligible individuals in accessing support group meetings.

o Senator Kristin Corrado

SJR-96: Designates May of each year as “Stroke Awareness Month”

o Senator Nellie Pou

A-1160: Expands purpose of Traumatic Brain Injury Fund to support transportation costs incurred by eligible individuals in accessing support group meetings.

o Assemblymen Dan Benson and Dr. Herb Conaway

A-4661: Expands topics to be covered regarding bicycle and pedestrian safety on MVC driver’s license knowledge test.

o Assemblywoman Nancy Pinkin

Brain Injury Alliance of New Jersey | www.bianj.org