Our View of the Legislature – Brain Injury

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January 22, 2024January 22, 2024
by Colleen Millerin 2024 Legislative Highlights, Legislative Highlightstags , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

The disAbility Law Center of Virginia is available to educate policymakers about the impact of the decisions they are making on the disability community. We are watching with interest several bills that affect the brain injury community. These bills also have a budgetary impact, so if these are of interest to you, it is important to follow budget discussions as well.

  • HB 593 (Sickles) directs the Department of Medical Assistance Services to amend the state Medicaid plan to add neurobehavioral and neurorehabilitation facilities for individuals with traumatic brain injuries and neurocognitive disorders. The bill requires the creation of a Medicaid waiver to support home and community-based services for individuals with traumatic brain injuries or neurocognitive disorders. The bill has been assigned to the House Committee on Health and Human Resources, but expect it to be re-referred to the Committee on Appropriations.
  • HB 888 (Watts) and SB 176 (Favola) prohibit mental health facilities from admitting anyone whose behavior is solely connected to a neurobehavioral disability. This is a recommendation of a recent JLARC study. The House bill is assigned to the House Committee on Rules, but will probably be re-referred. The Senate bill is in the Senate Education and Health.
  • HB 1064 (Willett) requires the Department of Medical Assistance Services to create a neurobehavioral science unit. The bill is assigned to the House Committee on Health and Human Services.

Budget Issues — The brain injury community is also promoting budget amendments relating to workforce retention and improved salaries.

Our mission is to advance independence, choice, and self-determination; protect legal, human, and civil rights; and eliminate abuse, neglect, and discrimination of people with disabilities through zealous and uncompromising legal advocacy and representation.

Please let us know of any legislative proposals or budget issues that you think we should be following. Contact us at ga@dlcv.org or info@dlcv.org or by calling 1-800-552-3962 or 1-804-225-2042.