The legislature now has less than two weeks left in the session. However, they have already taken action on several bills before the legislature that will impact the rights of people with traumatic brain injury.
HB 1873, from Delegate Coyner, and SB 1421, from Senator Edwards, will eliminate the requirement that an injury occur before the age of 65 to constitute a brain injury. The house bill has passed in both the House and the Senate, while we expect final passage of the Senate bill sometime this week. The bills are identical.
HB 2182, offered by Delegate Wilt, requires the Board of Education to amend the definition of “traumatic brain injury” to include an acquired injury to the brain caused by a medical condition. The current regulatory definition of “traumatic brain injury” includes only an injury caused by an external physical force. The bill has passed in both the House and the Senate.
SJ 276, from Senator Favola will designate September as Brain Aneurysm Awareness month. The resolution was approved by the Senate and will be heard in the House Committee on Rules, probably this week. A similar resolution in the House, HJ 596, from Delegate Gooditis, was approved in the House and will be heard in the Senate Committee on Rules, probably this week. We expect passage of both resolutions.
dLCV’s 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. We are available to educate policy makers about the potential impact of legislative proposals.
Please let us know of any legislative proposals or budget issues that you think we should be following. Contact us at info@dlcv.org or by calling 1-800-552-3962 or 804-225-2042. Please continue to check back here for regular updates on developments in the legislature.