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, and shaken-baby syndrome.

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

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

BIA-MA urges you to actively support the following:

• Funding for programs and services - FY 09
• Seat belt legislation

Visit this section of our website for updates on developing and pending legislation, and please let your legislator know where you stand.

Class Action Suit: On May 17, 2007, five individuals and the Brain Injury Association of Massachusetts filed a class action lawsuit in the Western Division of the United States District Court for Massachusetts against the Governor and various executive officials. On June 18, 2007, in an amended complaint, an additional individual and another organization were added as plaintiffs to the lawsuit. The suit claimed that the Commonwealth was violating the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the Medicaid Act by failing to provide adequate community alternatives so persons with an acquired brain injury could leave these facilities and live in the community.

• 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.