Voices Advancing the Brain Injury Community
BIANJ strives to fulfill the vision of a world where all individuals with brain injury and their caregivers maximize their quality of life, the consequences of all unavoidable brain injuries are minimized, and all preventable brain injuries are prevented.
The Voices Advancing the Brain Injury Community (formerly known as the Council for the Head Injury Community) champions and publicizes the advocacy, rights, and needs of people who have sustained a brain injury, and their families. Do you want your voice heard? Join today! Fill out our contact form or contact us directly at 732-745-0200 or tgrady@bianj.org.
By joining the Voices Advancing the Brain Injury Community you can:
- Make your voice heard
- Define your elected officials and their contact information
- Discuss your views on brain injury public policies
- Stay updated on brain injury bills and legislature
- Learn more about the legislative process
- Become a stronger brain injury advocate
Need an ID Card?
Download BIANJ’s Brain Injury ID Card to keep on hand in emergencies.
DOWNLOAD YOUR ID CARDHow can I get my voice heard?
Our Brain Injury Advocates Group meets monthly. Join Us!
All meetings are virtual at 10:00 AM unless otherwise noted.
For more information, please contact Tom Grady at 732-745-0200 or email tgrady@bianj.org.
Bill: A276
Sponsors: Umba (R8); Calabrese (D36); McKnight (D31) +1
Summary: Facilitates identification of municipal liens on residential property of certain seniors and disabled persons.
Subjects: Human Services-Disabled; Property; Senior Citizens
Bill: A351
Sponsors: Dunn (R25) +7
Summary: Requires Division of Developmental Disabilities, during public health emergency, to develop guidance for in‑person visitation at community‑based residential settings for individuals with developmental disabilities and require providers to allow such visit
Subjects: Human Services; Human Services-Developmental Disabilities
Bill: A357
Sponsors: Dunn (R25) +3
Summary: Requires Adjutant General of DMVA create program for veterans to receive evaluation and treatment for PTSD and total brain injury.
Subjects: Health; Human Services-Mental Health; Veterans And Military
Bill: A468
Sponsors: Murphy (D7); McKnight (D31) +9
Summary: Requires State agencies to make their websites accessible to people with disabilities and on mobile devices.
Subjects: Communications-Internet; Human Services-Disabled; State Government-Departments And Agencies
Bill: A479
Sponsors: Murphy (D7); Moen (D5); Umba (R8) +3
Summary: Allows corporation business tax and gross income tax credits to businesses employing certain persons with developmental disabilities.
Subjects: Corporations; Human Services-Developmental Disabilities; Taxation-Business Taxes; Taxation-Personal Income Tax
Bill: A517
Sponsors: Freiman (D16); Lopez (D19); Murphy (D7) +1
Summary: Authorizes use of disability benefits for transportation provided by transportation network companies.
Subjects: Labor-Temporary Disability; Transportation-Public Transit
Bill: A518 Aca (1R)
Sponsors: Freiman (D16); Conaway (D7); Benson (D14) +2
Summary: Expands purpose of Traumatic Brain Injury Fund to support transportation costs incurred by eligible individuals in accessing support group meetings.
Subjects: Human Services-Disabled; Transportation
Bill: A962
Sponsors: DiMaio (R23); Tucker (D28) +15
Summary: Exempts disabled veterans from certain fees at State parks and forests.
Subjects: Environment-Parks, Forests And Open Space; Human Services-Disabled; Veterans And Military
Bill: A1032
Sponsors: Webber (R26) +9
Summary: Allows gross income tax deduction for charitable contributions to certain New Jersey‑based charitable organizations.
Subjects: Charities And Non Profit Organizations; Taxation-Personal Income Tax
Bill: A1088
Sponsors: Calabrese (D36); Jasey (D27)
Summary: Requires police training for interactions with persons who may have behavioral health issues.
Subjects: Human Services; Public Safety-Police
Bill: A1162
Sponsors: Jasey (D27); Benson (D14); McKnight (D31) +2
Summary: Directs Commissioner of Education to appoint coordinator and regional consultants to coordinate the education of students with traumatic brain injury.
Subjects: Education-Health; Education-Teachers And School Employees; Human Services-Disabled
Bill: A1205
Sponsors: Clifton (R12)
Summary: Requires omnibus drivers to inspect bus at end of route for passengers with disabilities.
Subjects: Human Services-Disabled; Motor Vehicles-Commercial
Bill: A1252
Sponsors: Stanley (D18); Mosquera (D4); Benson (D14); Jasey (D27) +1
Summary: Establishes brain injury screening and education program in DCF.
Subjects: Children; Health
Bill: A1636
Sponsors: Catalano (R10); McGuckin (R10) +1
Summary: Requires school districts to provide instruction on the dangers of texting while driving as part of the Core Curriculum Content Standards in Comprehensive Health and Physical Education.
Subjects: Education-Curricula; Education-School Boards And Districts; Motor Vehicles-Offenses
Bill: A1803
Sponsors: Lampitt (D6); Benson (D14); Jasey (D27); Mosquera (D4); Jimenez (D32); DiMaio (R23); Wimberly (D35) +14
Summary: Requires public school students with concussion to be evaluated by licensed health care professionals before return to school; requires school districts to provide restrictions or limitations to student as needed.
Subjects: Education-Health; Education-School Boards And Districts; Health-Professionals
Bill: A1826
Sponsors: Lampitt (D6); Benson (D14); Haider (D37) +1
Summary: Requires Division of Developmental Disabilities to make comprehensive list of its programs available to public.
Subjects: Communications-Internet; Human Services; Human Services-Developmental Disabilities
Bill: A2032
Sponsors: Benson (D14); Lopez (D19); Giblin (D34) +2
Summary: Establishes certain additional examination and special learner’s permit requirements.
Subjects: Motor Vehicles-Regulation
Bill: A2042
Sponsors: Benson (D14); Mukherji (D33)
Summary: Permits person with certain brain injuries to voluntarily make notation on driver’s license, identification card, and in MVC registry; establishes program to train law enforcement officers in interactions with persons with certain brain injuries.
Subjects: Motor Vehicles; Motor Vehicles-Regulation; Public Safety-Police
Bill: A2188
Sponsors: Munoz (R21) +2
Summary: Establishes public awareness campaign concerning Period of PURPLE Crying program and shaken baby syndrome.
Subjects: Children; Children-Child Abuse; Human Services
Bill: A2381
Sponsors: Wimberly (D35)
Summary: Restricts use of motorized skateboards.
Subjects: Motor Vehicles; Sports And Recreation
Bill: A2846
Sponsors: Benson (D14)
Summary: Establishes “New Jersey Transit ADA Task Force.”
Subjects: Human Services-Disabled; Transportation-Public Transit
Bill: A2935
Sponsors: Rumpf (R9); Gove (R9)
Summary: Criminalizes fifth or subsequent drunk driving offenses.
Subjects: Crimes And Penalties; Criminal Procedures; Motor Vehicles-DUI
Bill: A2944
Sponsors: Munoz (R21); Murphy (D7)
Summary: Creates Task Force on Driver Distractions.
Subjects: Motor Vehicles-Offenses; Motor Vehicles-Traffic Safety
Bill: A3121
Sponsors: Murphy (D7) +1
Summary: Requires DOE to develop registry of high school student‑athletes who sustain concussions or other head injuries.
Subjects: Education-Health; Sports And Recreation
Bill: A3250
Sponsors: Conaway (D7); Benson (D14); McKnight (D31) +3
Summary: Requires DHS to employ Transportation Planning Coordinator to oversee provision of transportation services.
Subjects: State Government-Departments And Agencies; Transportation-Planning, Finance And Economic Development
Bill: A3336
Sponsors: Simonsen (R1); Matsikoudis (R21) +1
Summary: Establishes “Task Force on Supportive Technology for Individuals with Developmental Disabilities.”
Subjects: Human Services-Developmental Disabilities; Science And Technology
Bill: A3370
Sponsors: Bergen (R25) +1
Summary: Increases annual property tax deduction for senior citizens and disabled persons from $250 to $500.
Subjects: Human Services-Disabled; Senior Citizens; Taxation-Property Tax
Bill: A3731
Sponsors: Haider (D37); Stanley (D18); Atkins (D20)
Summary: “Penny’s Law”; requires DEP to develop beach accessibility guidelines for persons with disabilities.
Subjects: Environment-Beaches And Shores; Human Services-Disabled
Bill: A4017 Aca (1R)
Sponsors: Benson (D14); McKnight (D31); Reynolds‑Jackson (D15) +4
Summary: 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.
Subjects: Health-Facilities; Human Services; Insurance-Health Insurance
Bill: A4296 Aca (1R)
Sponsors: Karabinchak (D18); Jasey (D27); Benson (D14) +3
Summary: Establishes “New Jersey Vision Zero Commission.”
Subjects: Motor Vehicles-Traffic Safety; Transportation
Bill: A4537
Sponsors: Jimenez (D32); McKnight (D31)
Summary: Establishes Disparity in Treatment of Persons with Disabilities in Underrepresented Communities Commission in DCA.
Subjects: Commissions; Human Services-Disabled
Bill: A4800
Sponsors: Murphy (D7); McKeon (D27); Mukherji (D33)
Summary: Extends expiration date of P.L.2019, c.248 and clarifies provisions of law that will expire.
Subjects: Crimes And Penalties; Motor Vehicles-DUI
Bill: A4894
Sponsors: Atkins (D20); Spearman (D5); Chaparro (D33) +4
Summary: Requires helmet while operating bicycle, scooter, or motorized scooter.
Subjects: Public Safety
Bill: A5397
Sponsors: Jasey (D27); Benson (D14); Reynolds‑Jackson (D15) +3
Summary: Establishes minimum Medicaid reimbursement rate for structured day program services provided to beneficiary eligible for brain injury services.
Subjects: Health; Human Services-Medicaid And Medicare
Bill: AJR43
Sponsors: Wimberly (D35); Swain (D38)
Summary: Establishes “Persons with Disabilities and Senior Citizen Transportation Services Task Force” to study and make recommendations concerning ways to improve transportation services for persons with disabilities and senior citizens.
Subjects: Human Services-Disabled; Senior Citizens; Transportation-Planning, Finance And Economic Development
Bill: AJR127
Sponsors: Timberlake (D34); Matsikoudis (R21) +1
Summary: Designates October of each year as “Domestic Violence Awareness Month.”
Subjects: Commemorations; Domestic Violence
Bill: AR22
Sponsors: Dunn (R25); Verrelli (D15) +2
Summary: Urges New Jersey members of Congress to join Congressional Brain Injury Task Force.
Subjects: Federal Relations-Memorializations; Health; Human Services-Disabled
Bill: S53
Sponsors: Corrado (R40); Bucco (R25)
Summary: Establishes “Task Force on Supportive Technology for Individuals with Developmental Disabilities.”
Subjects: Human Services-Developmental Disabilities; Science And Technology
Bill: S123
Sponsors: Holzapfel (R10)
Summary: Requires school districts to provide instruction on the dangers of texting while driving as part of the New Jersey Student Learning Standards in Comprehensive Health and Physical Education.
Subjects: Education-Curricula; Education-School Boards And Districts; Motor Vehicles-Offenses
Bill: S380
Sponsors: Rice (D28); Pou (D35)
Summary: Establishes Disparity in Treatment of Persons with Disabilities in Underrepresented Communities Commission in DCA.
Subjects: Commissions; Human Services-Disabled
Bill: S466
Sponsors: Scutari (D22)
Summary: Repeals no‑fault automobile insurance law and requires mandatory liability insurance law for motor vehicles.
Subjects: Insurance-Automobile Insurance
Bill: S470
Sponsors: Scutari (D22)
Summary: Increases certain minimum limits for motor vehicle and automobile insurance coverages.
Subjects: Insurance-Automobile Insurance
Bill: S471
Sponsors: Scutari (D22); Bramnick (R21)
Summary: Eliminates certain personal injury protection options available under standard automobile insurance policies; requires $250,000 of medical expense benefits under standard and basic automobile insurance policies.
Subjects: Insurance; Insurance-Automobile Insurance
Bill: S626
Sponsors: O’Scanlon (R13); Greenstein (D14); Bucco (R25) +2
Summary: Creates crime of fiscal victimization against senior citizens or disabled persons.
Subjects: Banking And Finance-Consumer Finance; Crimes And Penalties; Criminal Procedures; Human Services-Disabled; Senior Citizens
Bill: S695
Sponsors: Beach (D6); Ruiz (D29) +9
Summary: Requires public school student with concussion to be evaluated by physician or other licensed health care provider before return to school and return to physical activity at school.
Subjects: Education-Health; Education-School Boards And Districts; Health-Professionals
Bill: S974
Sponsors: Connors (R9)
Summary: Criminalizes fifth or subsequent drunk driving offenses.
Subjects: Crimes And Penalties; Criminal Procedures; Motor Vehicles-DUI
Bill: S1026
Sponsors: Singleton (D7)
Summary: Requires DHS to employ Transportation Planning Coordinator to manage and oversee transportation services provided to DHS clients.
Subjects: State Government-Departments And Agencies; Transportation-Planning, Finance And Economic Development
Bill: S1203
Sponsors: Corrado (R40)
Summary: Establishes “New Jersey Transit ADA Task Force.”
Subjects: Human Services-Disabled; Transportation-Public Transit
Bill: S1254
Sponsors: Bramnick (R21) +1
Summary: Creates new motor vehicle offense of engaging in a pattern of aggressive driving.
Subjects: Crimes And Penalties; Criminal Procedures; Motor Vehicles-Offenses
Bill: S1305
Sponsors: Beach (D6)
Summary: Requires Division of Developmental Disabilities to make comprehensive list of its programs available to public.
Subjects: Communications-Internet; Human Services; Human Services-Developmental Disabilities
Bill: S1333
Sponsors: Beach (D6)
Summary: Increases penalties for failing to secure a child in a child passenger restraint system or booster seat while operating a motor vehicle.
Subjects: Children; Criminal Procedures; Motor Vehicles-Offenses
Bill: S1395
Sponsors: Turner (D15)
Summary: Increases annual income limitation to receive senior and disabled citizens’ property tax deduction to $15,000.
Subjects: Human Services-Disabled; Senior Citizens; Taxation-Property Tax
Bill: S1492
Sponsors: Gopal (D11); Ruiz (D29)
Summary: “Penny’s Law”; requires DEP to develop beach accessibility guidelines for persons with disabilities.
Subjects: Environment-Beaches And Shores; Human Services-Disabled
Bill: S1543
Sponsors: Greenstein (D14); Corrado (R40)
Summary: Allows corporation business tax and gross income tax credits to businesses employing certain persons with developmental disabilities.
Subjects: Corporations; Human Services-Developmental Disabilities; Taxation-Business Taxes; Taxation-Personal Income Tax
Bill: S1547
Sponsors: Greenstein (D14); Gill (D34)
Summary: Facilitates identification of municipal liens on residential property of certain seniors and disabled persons.
Subjects: Human Services-Disabled; Property; Senior Citizens
Bill: S1621
Sponsors: Greenstein (D14); Beach (D6)
Summary: Requires State agencies to make their websites accessible to people with disabilities and on mobile devices.
Subjects: Communications-Internet; Human Services-Disabled; State Government-Departments And Agencies
Bill: S2013
Sponsors: Oroho (R24); Singleton (D7) +4
Summary: Allows gross income tax deduction for charitable contributions to certain New Jersey‑based charitable organizations.
Subjects: Charities And Non Profit Organizations; Taxation-Personal Income Tax
Bill: S2092
Sponsors: Greenstein (D14)
Summary: Provides gross income tax credit to certain totally and permanently disabled veterans for rent constituting property taxes.
Subjects: Human Services-Disabled; Taxation-Personal Income Tax; Taxation-Property Tax; Veterans And Military
Bill: S2247
Sponsors: Beach (D6)
Summary: Requires use of protective headgear when horseback riding on State‑owned lands.
Subjects: Sports And Recreation
Bill: S2369 Sca (1R)
Sponsors: Singer (R30); Madden (D4) +2
Summary: 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.
Subjects: Health-Facilities; Human Services; Insurance-Health Insurance
Bill: S2885
Sponsors: Diegnan (D18); Gill (D34)
Summary: Establishes “New Jersey Vision Zero Task Force.”
Subjects: Motor Vehicles-Traffic Safety; Transportation
Bill: S3011 Sca (1R)
Sponsors: Scutari (D22)
Summary: Concerns use of ignition interlock devices for drunk driving offenses.
Subjects: Crimes And Penalties; Motor Vehicles-DUI
Bill: S3266
Sponsors: Lagana (D38)
Summary: Revises personal injury protection coverage for basic automobile insurance policies from $15,000 to $50,000 and requires $50,000 minimum personal injury protection coverage for standard automobile liability insurance policies.
Subjects: Insurance-Automobile Insurance
Bill: S3494
Sponsors: Vitale (D19)
Summary: Requires helmet while operating bicycle, scooter, or motorized scooter.
Subjects: Public Safety
Bill: S3767
Sponsors: Codey (D27) +7
Summary: Establishes minimum Medicaid reimbursement rate for structured day program services provided to beneficiary eligible for brain injury services.
Subjects: Health; Human Services-Medicaid And Medicare
Bill: SCR62
Sponsors: Turner (D15)
Summary: Proposes constitutional amendment to increase annual income limitation for eligibility to receive property tax deduction for senior and disabled citizens.
Subjects: Constitutional Amendments; Human Services-Disabled; Senior Citizens; Taxation-Property Tax
Bill: SJR20
Sponsors: Madden (D4); Pou (D35) +4
Summary: Establishes “Persons with Disabilities and Senior Citizen Transportation Services Task Force” to examine ways to improve transportation services for persons with disabilities and senior citizens.
Subjects: Human Services-Disabled; Senior Citizens; Transportation-Planning, Finance And Economic Development
Bill: SJR64
Sponsors: Bucco (R25)
Summary: Designates May of each year as “Stroke Awareness Month.”
Subjects: Commemorations; Health; Health-Disease
Bill: SR60
Sponsors: Bucco (R25)
Summary: Urges New Jersey members of Congress to join Congressional Brain Injury Task Force.
Subjects: Federal Relations-Memorializations; Health; Human Services
Acquired Brain Injury Fund Petition
We need your voice to support people with acquired brain injury (ABI). Please sign the petition to encourage your elected officials to support the creation of an ABI fund. This fund will serve and support people who have sustained ABI as a result of arteriovenous malformation, stroke, aneurysm, and tumor.
Legislative and Advocacy Round Ups
