S2999 —

S2999 SHH Statement 12/6/21 SENATE HEALTH, HUMAN SERVICES AND SENIOR CITIZENS COMMITTEE   STATEMENT TO   SENATE, No.

2999  STATE OF NEW JERSEY 219th LEGISLATURE   INTRODUCEDDATED: OCTOBER 8, 2020     Sponsored by:

Senator  DECEMBER ANTHONY6, M.2021         The Senate Health, Human Services and Senior Citizens Committee reports favorably Senate Bill No.

BUCCO2999. District 25 (Morris and Somerset)   Co-Sponsored by:

Senators      CorradoThis andbill Schepisiexpands  the       SYNOPSIS      Expands purpose of the Traumatic Brain Injury Fund to support transportation costs incurred by an eligible individualsindividual in accessing support group meetings.meetings.  Under the bill, support group meetings mean any gathering of individuals with traumatic injuries who congregate in order to obtain information and perspective, relative to their injuries, and to improve their general well-being.  Pursuant to N.J.A.C.10:141-1.11, the Traumatic Brain Injury Fund currently provides payment to an eligible individual for transportation services related to accessing medical appointments, treatment facilities, or vocational programs.        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 related to traumatic brain injuries.

  CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT      As introduced.

   An Act concerning the Traumatic Brain Injury Fund and amending P.L.2001, c.332.

       Be It Enacted by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:

       1.    Section 6 of P.L.2001, c.332 (C.30:6F-6) is amended to read as follows:

     6.    a.  Monies in the Traumatic Brain Injury Fund shall be distributed by the Department of Human Services for the following purposes:

     (1)   as the payer of last resort, for the costs of post-acute care, services, and financial assistance, including the costs for transportation services to access support group meetings,  provided in this State to residents of this State who have survived neuro-trauma with a traumatic brain injury.  Under this paragraph, support group meetings shall mean any gathering of individuals with traumatic injuries who congregate in order to obtain information and perspective, relative to their injuries, and to improve their general well-being;

and      (2)   public information and prevention education coordinated by the Brain Injury Association of New Jersey.

      b.   The department, in consultation with the council, shall establish eligibility criteria for the post-acute care, services and financial assistance provided pursuant to this section.  Expenditures for traumatic brain injury care shall be made by the department.

     (1)   Total expenditures on behalf of any one eligible person shall not exceed $100,000, with no more than $15,000 to be expended for any 12-month period;

except that a person may apply to the department for a waiver of these expenditure limits.

     (2)   Expenditures shall be made only if comparable resources are not available or are not able to be delivered in a timely manner.

     (3)   To the extent of the assistance it has provided, the fund shall have first claim to any future monies received by the person with traumatic brain injury as the result of  a settlement or other payment made in connection with the traumatic brain injury.

     (4)   In the event the department is unable to provide funds to all eligible persons, the department, in consultation with the council,  may establish an order of selection.

      c.    The department shall accept applications for disbursements of available money from the fund and maintain records of all disbursements made from the fund and monies received as gifts and donations.  The department shall utilize existing State resources and staff of participating State agencies, businesses and nonprofit organizations whenever practicable.

(cf:

P.L.2001, c.332, s.6)      2.    This act shall take effect immediately.

    STATEMENT        This bill 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 bill, support group meetings mean any gathering of individuals with traumatic injuries who congregate in order to obtain information and perspective, relative to their injuries, and to improve their general well-being.  Pursuant to N.J.A.C.10:141-1.11, the Traumatic Brain Injury Fund currently provides payment to an eligible individual for transportation services related to accessing medical appointments, treatment facilities, or vocational programs.       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 related to traumatic brain injuries.