
Bill helping individuals with traumatic brain injuries clears committee
NEW JERSEY – Individuals with traumatic brain injuries may soon be able to receive help in covering transportation costs to support group meetings thanks to legislation sponsored by Senator Anthony Bucco and advanced Monday by the Senate Health, Human Services and Senior Citizens Committee.
“The Traumatic Brain Injury Fund is an incredibly beneficial program that has provided support and services to New Jerseyans of all ages who have survived a serious brain injury,” said Bucco (R-25). “It is important that our society do everything it can to care for these individuals during their time of need. My legislation will make sure that transportation costs incurred while traveling to vital support group meetings are covered by the Traumatic Brain Injury Fund. No person who has survived such a life changing event should be concerned about these expenses.”
The bill, S-2999, expands the purpose of the Traumatic Brain Injury Fund to support transportation costs incurred by an eligible individual in accessing support group meetings. Under the legislation, support group meetings are defined as any gathering of individuals with traumatic injuries who meet in order to improve their general well-being.
The Traumatic Brain Injury Fund purchases supports and services for eligible New Jersey residents of any age, who have survived a traumatic brain injury, to foster independence and maximize quality of life when insurance, personal resources, or public programs are unavailable to meet those needs. A portion of the fund also is used to support public education, outreach, and prevention activities.