Current Issues

Support State Funding for Brain Injury Services and Contact Your Legislator

Line Item (4120-6002) HITS Trust Fund
Action: BIA-MA is asking you to contact your  Massachusetts Legislators and request that 100% of the collections received by the courts from speeding, DUI and DWI violations, go into Head Injury Treatment Services Trust Fund (HITs) to support community based brain injury services

Background Information

• The Trust Fund is projected to lose $761,000 due to a low collection rate from the courts
• If 100% of the trust fund is not supported there will be 100 to 150 people will lose brain injury services
• Brain Injury services at risk include case management, respite services etc. 

Line Item (4120-6000) Head Injury Treatment Services
Action: Contact your Legislator and ask him/her to increase funds for Head Injury Treatment Services

• Head Injury Treatment services have been level funded for the last four years around $11,215,519
• With increasing costs programs will not be able to provide the same level of care
• With an additional $5 million five regional Multi-service Centers could  be developed to provide, case management, skills training, clinical consultation, technical assistance and training
• Currently there are only two day programs in the state; With an additional $2.5 million (5) regional day programs could be developed

Line Item (4120-4010) Turning 22 Programs and Services
Action: Contact your Legislator and ask him/her to restore services for Turning 22

• Turning 22 has been cut by $371,920.
• Turning 22 funds individuals transitioning into adult services from Special Education
• This cut must be restored to ensure the state's commitment to young individuals

Primary Seat Belt Law

BIA-MA is currently working with legislators and other groups to pass a primary seat belt law in Massachusetts. Known as "Natalie's Bill," the legislation is named after Natalie De Leon who was killed on July 2, 2006, when she was ejected from a car. Natalie was not wearing a seat belt.

Currently, Massachusetts only has a secondary seat belt law which means law enforcement officers can only cite a driver or passenger for not wearing a seat belt if they are pulled over for another violation. With the passage of this proposed legislation, law enforcement will be authorized to pull over a vehicle exclusively for not buckling up.

It is estimated that increased seat belt usage would:

• Save 18 lives each year

• Prevent approximately 600 serious injuries.

• Save taxpayers approximately $171 million annually, of which $55 million are private medical insurance costs.

For more information about BIA-MA's Advocacy efforts, contact us at 508-475-0032 or advocacy@biama.org