December 2023  

Governor Signs Bill to Improve Traffic Safety

Governor Phil Murphy signed legislation sponsored by Senators Nilsa Cruz-Perez and Gordon Johnson to require holders of special learner's permits and examination permits under the age of 21 to complete at least 50 hours of practice driving, with at least 10 of those hours completed during hours of darkness.

"New Jersey is one of the only States that does not already mandate practice hours for new drivers, which puts our roads and our children at needless risk," said Senator Cruz-Perez. "This requirement will save lives and help reduce the increase in traffic accidents stemming from the COVID-19 Pandemic."

"Mandating practice hours is common sense," said Senator Johnson. "In 2019 alone, over 30,000 teen drivers in New Jersey were involved in crashes, including over 7,000 which resulted in an injury or fatality. This bill will reduce that, and save the lives of motorists across the State."

Under the law, parents, guardians, or other supervising adults would keep track of practice driving hours and certify with the Motor Vehicle Commission that the required number of practice hours were completed in order for permit holders under the age of 21 to obtain a probationary driver's license.

For more information on transportation safety for children, visit JerseyDrives.com. See an Instagram post on the passage of the bill into law HERE and students who testified in support of the bill HERE (which starts at the 32:30 mark).

Senate Passes Bill Supporting Home Health Care Services Under Medicaid

The Senate advanced legislation sponsored by Senator Joe Vitale and Senator Gordon Johnson that would help ease the regulatory and financial burdens on eligible residents who prefer to receive health care services and treatment in their own homes or community, as opposed to a hospital, or institutional setting.

"The ways we provide and deliver health care are constantly changing. Allowing individuals, especially our most vulnerable neighbors and friends, to receive the care, treatment and supports they need at home and in their own community is vital," said Senator Vitale, Chair of the Health, Human Services and Senior Citizens Committee. "This legislation will ensure these individuals don't have to wait for the care they need."

The bill, S-3495, would provide presumptive eligibility for home and community-based services under Medicaid, including those individuals awaiting an eligibility determination for Medicaid and any applicable Medicaid waiver program offering home and community-based services.

"Some of our most at-risk residents and seniors have difficulty getting from one place to another. What's more, many are more comfortable receiving care in a setting with which they are familiar and where those closest to them can monitor their care," said Senator Johnson. "This bill will make sure these individuals can continue to receive quality care in their own homes, or a facility near to them."

Legislative Corner

The Brain Injury Alliance of New Jersey monitors and addresses a broad range of legislation that relates to brain injury. Legislation listed below has advanced in either the New Jersey State Legislature or United States Congress. We also appreciate those elected officials who support our positions on certain legislation. We acknowledge such support when it occurs through this monthly electronic newsletter.

Please contact Tom Grady, Director of Advocacy and Public Affairs if you would like more information about these bills at tgrady@bianj.org and/or whether you would like to contact your elected representatives to express your views on these bills. 

Bills Advanced

In the New Jersey Legislature

• S1794 / A1255 - “Ensuring Transparency in Prior Authorization Act.”
• S2885 / A4296 - Establishes “New Jersey Vision Zero Task Force.”
• S3011 / A4800 - Concerns use of ignition interlock devices for drunk driving offenses.
• S4193 - Establishes minimum base NJ FamilyCare per diem reimbursement rate of $1,100 for special care nursing facility with neurologically impaired young adult unit.
• A4049 - Provides for presumptive eligibility for home and community-based services, nursing home services, and services provided through program of all-inclusive care for the elderly under Medicaid.
• S4033 - Establishes minimum Medicaid and NJ FamilyCare reimbursement rate for pediatric special care nursing facilities.
• S4132 - Requires low-speed electric bicycles and low-speed electric scooters to be registered with MVC and to be insured.
• A1112 - Requires DHS and other appropriate State agencies to disseminate information on transportation options for persons with developmental disabilities.
• A4049 - Provides for presumptive eligibility for home and community-based services, nursing home services, and services provided through program of all-inclusive care for the elderly under Medicaid.
• A5225 - Provides for coverage of community-based palliative care benefits under Medicaid.
• A5897 - Revises personal injury protection coverage for basic automobile insurance policies from $15,000 to $50,000 and requires $50,000 minimum personal injury protection coverage for standard automobile liability insurance policies.

Signed by the Governor

• S2057 - Requires certain documentation of needs of students with disabilities during school security drills and emergency situations and in school security plans; requires staff training on needs of students with disabilities in emergency planning.
• S2789 - Requires certain permit holders to complete practice driving hours to obtain probationary driver’s license.
• A5225 - Provides for coverage of community-based palliative care benefits under Medicaid.

Thank you!

S2057 - Requires certain documentation of needs of students with disabilities during school security drills and emergency situations and in school security plans; requires staff training on needs of students with disabilities in emergency planning.

• Assemblymembers William Sampson, Benjie Wimberly, Carol Murphy, DeAnne DeFuccio

S2789 - Requires certain permit holders to complete practice driving hours to obtain probationary driver’s license.

• Assemblywoman Gabriela Mosquera

S2885 - Establishes “New Jersey Vision Zero Task Force.”

• Senator Joe Cryan

S3011 - Extends expiration date of P.L.2019, c.248 and clarifies provisions of law that will expire.

• Assemblywoman Verlina Reynolds-Jackson

A5897 - Revises personal injury protection coverage for basic automobile insurance policies from $15,000 to $50,000 and requires $50,000 minimum personal injury protection coverage for standard automobile liability insurance policies.

• Assemblyman Raj Mukherji

The Brain Injury Alliance of New Jersey provides a broad range of programs and services. You may learn about these programs and services by clicking HERE.

Brain Injury Alliance of New Jersey Conducting Needs Assessment

The Brain Injury Alliance of New Jersey is conducting a statewide needs assessment on Traumatic Brain Injury and quality of life and access to services amongst survivors, caregivers, and service providers. This study is supported by the Administration for Community Living, Traumatic Brain Injury State Partnership Program Grant and approved by the Rowan University Institutional Review Board (Study # PRO-2022-310).

With this needs assessment, the aim is to better understand the current picture of TBI in the state and direct efforts to areas that are the most in need of attention. The first part of the study will consist of individual surveys conducted online, over the phone, and on paper. After this, there will be focus groups in South, Central, and North Jersey.

The hope is to get a well-represented screenshot of the gaps in TBI services in New Jersey. The direct link to the surveys is HERE.

If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Dr. Sakina Ladha, MD, MPH by email at sladha@bianj.org or by phone at 609-480-2271. 

Brain Injury Alliance of New Jersey Offers an Overview of the TBI Fund 

Thursday, January 18th, 2024

The Brain Injury Alliance of NJ offers a free webinar called Overview of the Traumatic Brain Injury Fund. The webinar will take place on January 18th at 12:00 PM and will be presented by Susannah Combs.

The Traumatic Brain Injury Fund is an important resource for TBI survivors in New Jersey. In this webinar, we will discuss:

• Eligibility
• What services are covered by the fund
• How the fund works 

Click HERE to register.