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Legislative and Advocacy Round-up
January 2025
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Kane Assumes Oath
of Office
Assemblywoman Melinda Kane (pictured above), on January 23, 2025 received the oath of office from Assembly Speaker Craig J. Coughlin to become a member of the New Jersey General Assembly. Kane joins Assembly Majority Leader Louis D. Greenwald in representing the 6th Legislative District in Burlington and Camden counties. Her predecessor, Pam Lampitt, resigned to assume the position of Camden County Clerk. A list of towns that Assemblywoman Kane can be accessed at HERE and are listed under “District 6.”
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Abdelaziz Assumes Oath of Office
Also on January 23, 2025, Assemblyman Alaa "Al" Abdelaziz, a seasoned educator, administrator, and public servant received the oath of office from Assembly Speaker Craig J. Coughlin to become a member of the New Jersey General Assembly. Assemblyman Abdelaziz joins Assemblywoman Shavonda E. Sumter in representing the 35th Legislative District in Bergen and Passaic counties. A list of towns that Assemblyman Abdelaziz can be accessed at HERE and are listed under “District 35.”
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Registration is now open for the 2025 National Brain Injury Conference and Awareness Day!
Registration closes
February 14, 2025
This event, being held March 3-5, 2025, at the Hilton Arlington National Landing in Arlington, Va., is an opportunity for the brain injury community to come together to learn more about brain injury, meet other brain injury survivors, advocate for brain injury causes, lobby their congressional representatives to support brain injury legislation, and more.
Schedule of Events
Monday, March 3: The Brain Injury Association of America (BIAA) will be hosting optional pre-conference social activities for survivors, caregivers, and advocates
Tuesday, March 4: The National Brain Injury Conference kicks off with a day filled with conference events including a General Session, keynote address, presentations, breakout sessions, and an overview of what to expect for Hill Day
Wednesday, March 5: Shuttles will transport attendees from the hotel to the Capitol in Washington, D.C., where attendees will have the opportunity to meet with their congressional representatives and advocate for their support for legislation that impacts the brain injury community.
Learn more and read our FAQ for the National Brain Injury Conference and Awareness Day HERE.
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TBI Fund Provides Support to People with Brain Injury
The Division of Disability Services (DDS) is the designated lead state government agency for brain injury. The Division administers the Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) Fund and serves as staff to the Governor's Advisory Council on TBI, which holds quarterly public meetings to advise the Department of Human Services of issues relevant to brain injury services. Learn more HERE. Also, watch an informative video HERE.
The TBI Fund provides New Jersey residents of any age, who have survived a traumatic brain injury, the opportunity to access the brain injury related services and supports they need to live in the community.
The Fund purchases supports and services to foster independence and maximize quality of life when insurance, personal resources, and/or public programs are unavailable to meet needs. Some of the Fund is used to support public education, outreach, and prevention activities TBI.
To be eligible, a recipient must:
1] Provide medical documentation of brain injury; 2] Have liquid assets of less than $100,000; and,
3] Be a resident of New Jersey for at least 90 consecutive days.
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Legislation of Interest to Brain Injury Cause Advances
The Brain Injury Alliance of New Jersey monitors legislation that can be of interest to the brain injury cause. The following legislation has advanced through the legislative process. If you have questions about any of these bills or wish to advocate a position for any of them, contact Tom Grady, Director of Advocacy and Public Affairs at tgrady@bianj.org.
State Legislation
S4004: Revises law on extended employment programs for persons with disabilities.
A4765: Requires driver education and testing on responsibilities when approaching and passing pedestrians and persons operating bicycles and personal conveyances.
A5238: Requires Division of Developmental Disabilities to create and distribute satisfaction survey.
Signed into law
A1476: Establishes “New Jersey Target Zero Commission.”
Federal Legislation
H.R. 72: To amend title 38, United States Code, to direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to furnish hyperbaric oxygen therapy to veterans with traumatic brain injury or post-traumatic stress disorder. (H.R. 72) - GovTrack.us
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Thank You to our Legislative Supporters
The Brain Injury Alliance of New Jersey supports a broad range of legislation that speaks to its mission and vision. The Alliance would like to publicly thank the following legislators for sponsoring legislation that reflects our mission and vision.
S816: Expands purpose of Traumatic Brain Injury Fund to support transportation costs incurred by eligible individuals in accessing support group meetings.
Senator Troy Singleton
S843: Requires Adjutant General of DMVA create program for veterans to receive evaluation and treatment for PTSD, total brain injury, or traumatic brain injury.
Senator Troy Singleton
S2535: Establishes minimum Medicaid reimbursement rate for structured day program services provided to beneficiary eligible for brain injury services.
Senator Troy Singleton
A1098: Exempts disabled veterans from certain fees at State parks and forests.
Assemblyman Al Barlas
A2952: Establishes “New Jersey Transit ADA Task Force.”
Assemblyman Clinton Calabrese
A3636: Requires State agencies to make their websites accessible to people with disabilities and on mobile devices.
Assemblymembers Linda Carter and Luanne Peterpaul
A3993: Require use of helmets when operating or riding upon electric bicycle or electric scooter.
Assemblyman Clinton Calabrese
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Voices Advancing the Brain Injury Community to Hold Monthly Meeting
Voices Advancing the Brain Injury Community (Voices) will be meeting 10:00, Wednesday, February 12, 2025. This meeting is to be virtual only. To attend, please register HERE.. Send any agenda items you want considered to Tom Grady, Director of Advocacy and Public Affairs by 3:00, Monday, February 10, 2025. Email address is tgrady@bianj.org. The mission of Voices is to champion and publicize the advocacy, rights, and needs of people who have sustained a brain injury and their significant others. Voices welcomes and encourages input on issues that need to be addressed in an effort to fulfill this mission and improve the lives of all people within the brain injury community.
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From the Brain Injury Alliance of New Jersey
Stay connected
Register HERE to receive our monthly newsletter.
Upcoming webinars (Learn more HERE.)
- February 19th, 2025 – “Brain Injury Caregiving: Navigating Challenges and Helpful Tips”
- March 4th, 2025 – “Navigating Dating & Relationships After Brain Injury”
- May 19th, 2025 – “Traumatic Brain Injury in Service Members and Veterans: Symptoms, Support, Advocacy, and Wellness”
Create Your Own Brain Injury Identification Card
There may be times in life when a person with brain injury needs to indicate to a first responder (police, emergency medical technician etc.) that (s)he has a brain injury. A brain injury identification card can be helpful. To develop your card, click HERE.
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From the New Jersey Government
Disability Information Hub: Intro Series, “Did You Know…?”
Did you know that on the Disability Information Hub (DIH) homepage you can click on the Resources by Life Stage tab and the first option in the dropdown menu will be Children with Disabilities. Parents and caregivers of children with disabilities face the challenge of not only caring for their child, but also making sure that they have the disability supports they need to thrive and develop. Luckily, New Jersey offers a number of programs that can help parents and caregivers connect with the resources they need to support their loved ones. These services include:
- Early Intervention and Special Child Health Services
- Child Care Assistance
- Emergency and Crisis Services
Learn more HERE
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BIANJ is funded in part through the New Jersey Department of Human Services, Division of Disability Services, and
New Jersey Department of Children and Families.
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Corporate Circle Partners
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