In the near future, I will be introducing legislation that provides for the statutory creation of the Brain Injury Advisory Board within the Department of Health.
 
In 2001, the Secretary of Health formed the Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) Advisory Board as a requirement under the Federal TBI Act of 1996 and the Health Resources and Services Administration Federal TBI Planning Grant (now known as the Administration for Community Living TBI State Partnership Program Grant).  As awareness of non-TBI evolved and service needs increased for individuals with non-TBI, the advisory board changed its name to the Brain Injury Advisory Board in 2024.
 
During a recent House Human Services Committee informational meeting focused on treatment and support for individuals with traumatic brain injuries, I inquired about whether there were any veterans with TBI on the current advisory board.  Through this hearing and research that I conducted, I learned that there is no requirement that a veteran with a TBI or a non-TBI be represented on this advisory board.  It was through this research that I learned there is no statute that governs the structure of the board, its membership, or its core responsibilities.
 
While the current advisory board provides a valuable service to this Commonwealth, it has become apparent to me that the Commonwealth would be better served by having a statutory framework governing an advisory board that focuses on brain injuries.
 
My legislation will statutorily create the Brain Injury Advisory Board consisting of 25 voting members, including individuals with brain injuries, family members of brain injury survivors, veterans, and representatives from statewide and community-based organizations.  Non-voting ad hoc members will include representatives from various state agencies, including the Departments of Health, Human Services, Education, and Military and Veterans Affairs.  This advisory board will, among other things:

• Advise the Governor and state agencies in the determination of service and support needs of individuals with brain injuries and the implementation of services to those individuals and their families.
• Apply for grants made available for projects regarding brain injury.
• Issue an annual report, including information on brain injury data, funding for brain injury programs, and any required state matching funds needed to apply for and obtain non-state funded grants.

 
Please join me in sponsoring this important piece of legislation so that we can ensure continued services and support for individuals with brain injuries.