Legislative and Advocacy Round-up for December 2022

Legislative and Advocacy Round-up

To inform brain injury advocates about

grassroots advocacy and public policy

December 2022

Upcoming Events

January 7
February 4
March 4
April 1
May 6
June 3
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.

WEBINAR: The Legislative Process and You! What Advocates Need to Know

The Brain Injury Alliance of New Jersey will be hosting a webinar focusing on learning the legislative process. The Alliance and other brain injury advocates aim to advance public policies that benefit the brain injury community. You can support our efforts and/or advocate for your own interest before members of the New Jersey State Legislature. Attend this webinar and learn how to do so.

Objectives of the webinar are:

To explain the legislative process both in New Jersey Legislature and the United States Congress.
To demonstrate how you can define your elected officials in State and Federal government.
To offer tips on presenting your concerns, ideas, and/or needs to an elected official.
To present case studies of how people have influenced an elected official(s).
To list transportation legislation the Alliance monitors.

When? Jan 24, 2023 10:00 AM (EST)

New Jersey Department of Health Launches Resource for Evaluating Nursing Homes

The New Jersey Department of Health launched a new dashboard on its website that aims to provide New Jersey residents with the information they need to choose a safe quality long-term care facility.

The dashboard provides information such as the 5-star quality ratings from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services; survey and inspection information; financial statements; general staffing levels, and compliance with staffing ratios, to help families choose a facility where their loved ones are properly cared for and respected. Access the dashboard HERE.

FY2023 Wage Increase for Direct Support Professionals and Supervisors

Included in New Jersey’s FY2023 Appropriations Act, the wage increase for direct

support professionals (DSPs) and supervisors was implemented January 1^st via increases to the fee-for-service reimbursement rates for the following services: Career Planning, Community Based Supports, Community Inclusion Services, Day Habilitation, Individual Supports, Prevocational Training (Individual and Group), Respite, and Supported Employment (Individual and Group).

Obtain more information by clicking the following four links:

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

S1871 - Requires Adjutant General of DMVA create program for veterans to receive evaluation and treatment for PTSD, total brain injury, or traumatic brain injury.

Senator Edward Durr

A517 - Authorizes use of disability benefits for transportation provided by transportation network companies.

Assemblywoman Sharma Haider

Legislation that Advanced

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

In the State Legislature

S183 / A2267 - Requires owners of multiple dwellings of three or more floors to provide priority status to residents moving to lower floors.

S3364 - Requires DOT, NJT, and DHS to study and implement transportation mobility and accessibility improvements for persons with physical disabilities.

A1761 - Prohibits motor vehicle liability insurance policy from restricting full payment of recovery amounts under covered person's policy.

A4894 - Requires helmet while operating bicycle, scooter, or motorized scooter.

Signed by Governor

A655 - Exempts discharge of student loan debt of certain veterans through the federal Total and Permanent Disability discharge process from taxation under the gross income tax.

Brain Injury Alliance of New Jersey www.bianj.org