BIA-MA works closely with the state legislature and government agencies to ensure that appropriate services are available to survivors and their families. BIA-MA is also actively involved in the creation of new legislation for improved services, and it advocates for legislation related to the prevention of brain injury, including bills regarding seat belts, helmets, housing, transportation and other issues.

For more information or to learn how you can get involved, please contact:

Inta Hall, Public Policy Consultant
Email: izhall@comcast.net

Support Legislation on Cognitive Rehabilitation Benefits
Full Text of the bill here

Funding for Programs and Services FY 11
Legislative public hearings for the 2011 budget, which starts in July of 2010, will be held at the beginning of 2010.
For Fiscal year 2011, BIA-MA recommends that:

1. All amounts collected from speeding, DUI's and driving to endanger citations be deposited in the HITS Trust Fund. At this time only $35 out of $50 speeding collections and $150 out of $250 collections are given to the Trust Fund.
2. An increase of at least one million dollars for SHIP line item 4120-6000. More than 3000 people continue to wait for services.
3. Include Community First funding in the FY'11 budget to support community living for people with brain injuries.

Seat Belt Fact Sheet

Legislative Successes

• Hutchinson v. Patrick Class Action Settlement (2008);
• Supported passage of Shaken Baby Syndrome Law;
• Instrumental in passage of secondary Seat Belt Law;
• Established HITS, the Head Injury Treatment Services Trust Fund, financed by surcharges on drunk driving and speeding;
• Instrumental in the establishment of the Statewide Head Injury Program (SHIP), which funds community-based and other support services for persons with traumatic brain injury.