Assembly Bill 92 establishes a program within the Department of Health Services (DHS) to award grants for research into spinal cord injuries, focusing on innovative treatments and rehabilitation methods. The bill mandates that grant recipients present their findings at symposia organized by DHS, which can occur no more than once every two years. Additionally, it requires DHS to submit annual reports to the legislature detailing grant recipients and their purposes. Importantly, the bill stipulates that no more than 8 percent of any grant award may be allocated for administrative costs.

To oversee the grant program, the bill creates a Spinal Cord Injury Council composed of various stakeholders, including researchers from prominent universities, individuals with spinal cord injuries, and medical professionals. The council is tasked with developing evaluation criteria for grant applications, reviewing submissions, and ensuring transparency through financial disclosures from its members. Initial appointments to the council will have staggered terms, with some members serving until July 1, 2027, and others until July 1, 2028.