Tag: Brain Injury Legislation

A recent article in USA Today entitled, “For Brain Injuries, a Treatment Gap,” accurately reports the need for individuals who sustain brain injuries to access medically-necessary rehabilitation of sufficient scope, intensity and duration from licensed professionals in accredited settings to regain the physical abilities and cognitive skills needed to live healthy, independent and satisfying lives. Many brain injury professional are recommending everyone to check their health insurance plan to make sure they’re adequately covered in case of a serious injury.

The New Jersey Assembly has approved legislation which would make New Jersey the first state in the nation to require helmets for minors while skiing or snowboarding. The bill was sponsored by Assembly Republicans Anthony Bucco, Scott T. Rumana and Nancy F. Muñoz. The Assembly Tourism and Arts Committee unanimously approved the legislation on January 20, 2011 during the National Ski Areas Association’s National Safety Awareness Week.

Aaron Steiner, a minor plaintiff, sustained personal injuries and filed a Complaint against the New Fairfield Board of Education. Defendants requested a neuropsychological examination. Plaintiff objected asserting the right to have the neuropsychological testing observed and videotaped. Defendants opposed that request.

I have previously reported on efforts by many states to enact legislation to protect student athletes who sustained traumatic brain injuries. Most recently I wrote regarding New Jersey’s passage of a student athlete concussion safety legislation and as well as Pennsylvania’s efforts in that regard.

On Monday, the General Assembly passed A2743, a bill designed to create an awareness program on the prevention, risk and treatment of sports-related brain injuries. The Bill, sponsored by Assembly Democrats Patrick J. Diegnan, Jr., Craig J. Coughlin, Thomas P. Giblin and Mila M. Jasey passed by a vote of 78-0.

The General Assembly is scheduled to vote on A-2743 (the concussion in sports bill) today, Monday, October 25, 2010. The Assembly already passed a version of this bill on June 28th of this year. However, after that passage, the Senate passed an amended version of the bill on October 18th, and now the Assembly needs to approve the version that passed the Senate.

The House Energy and Commerce Committee held hearings on a bill known as the “Concussion Treatment and Care Tools Act.” This bill would require the Secretary of Health and Human Services to convene experts to recommend nationwide guidelines for managing concussions in athletes in all sports for ages 5 to 18. The legislation would also include guidelines as to when an injured athlete would be permitted to return to play. The legislation also provides federal money to the states for enacting the legislation. It is anticipated that this bill will reach the House floor for a vote.

The Sarah Jane Brain Project has written a letter to Congressman Frank Pallone, Jr., expressing concern over the manner in which H. Con. Res. 198 has been handled by Pallone and his staff on the Energy and Commerce Committee.