Welcome to the June 2026 Edition of Legislative and Advocacy Round-up

LEGISLATIVE & ADVOCACY ROUND-UP

June 2026

GOVERNOR SHERRILL SIGNS FIRST BUDGET BILL INTO LAW

Contains funding for brain injury services

Governor Mikie Sherrill (pictured left) approved a budget bill on June 30, 2026 which contains $280,000 for BIANJ to administer community-based services.

BIANJ's Community Services covers the broad areas of advocacy, education, information/resources, outreach and support services; all programs designed to empower people impacted by brain injury to maximize their quality of life while living in their respective communities.

Some of the specific services included within Community Services include: BIANJ's Helpline; support groups; education events including webinars, regional trainings, and BIANJ's annual seminar; the advocacy committee, Voices Advancing the Brain Injury Community; distribution of monthly electronic newsletters and more.

BIANJ appreciates Governor Sherrill's support in including this critical funding in the state budget.

BILL PROTECTING STIUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES WHILE ON SCHOOL BUSES ADVANCES IN COMMITTEE

The Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee advanced a bill sponsored by Senator Anthony M. Bucco (pictured right) that strengthens school bus safety requirements and emergency response protocols for students with disabilities.

"Parents deserve peace of mind knowing their children are safe while traveling to and from school but unfortunately, we have seen heartbreaking incidents in New Jersey where too many families have suffered because warning signs were missed or not handled correctly," said Senator Bucco.

"This legislation makes it clear that emergencies on school buses must be treated seriously and that the adults responsible for students are prepared to respond when something goes wrong." The bill, S-2456, would require school bus drivers and aides to call 911 in the event of a potential life-threatening emergency on a school bus and report the incident to the Department of Education. The bill also expands safety and disability interaction training requirements for student safety and requires certain buses to be equipped with interior cameras, real-time GPS tracking, and two-way communication equipment.

COMMITTEE ADVANCES BILL TO IMPROVE QUALITY OF LIFE FOR ELDERLY & DISABLED RESIDENTS

The Senate Transportation Committee advanced bipartisan legislation co-sponsored by Senator Kristin Corrado (pictured left) that would establish a task force to review ways to improve transportation services for elderly and disabled residents.

"Depending on where you live in New Jersey, access to viable public transit options can be limited, restricting the mobility of elderly and disabled residents," said Senator Corrado. "This task force will focus on identifying targeted improvements to transportation services for these populations, including infrastructure upgrades and better coordination of technology and public communications. The goal is simply to ensure elderly and disabled residents have reliable transportation options that protect their independence and improve their quality of life."

The bill, SJR-95, would establish the "Persons with Disabilities and Senior Citizen Transportation Task Force" to review transportation obstacles and make recommendations on how to improve transportation services, infrastructure, and transit technology to enhance access for seniors and disabled residents.

BILL TO IMPROVE PARATRANSIT ACCESSIBILITY ADVANCES IN COMMITTEE

The New Jersey Senate Transportation Committee advanced legislation sponsored by Senator Kristin Corrado to improve accessibility and communication for paratransit riders across the state.

"Ensuring that individuals who rely on paratransit services receive clear, consistent information about their travel is a basic matter of accessibility and respect," said Senator Corrado. "This legislation helps ensure that riders with disabilities are not left uncertain or disadvantaged simply because of how a transportation service is structured."

The bill, S-3786, requires paratransit operators to announce each scheduled stop, either in person or through a recorded announcement system. By extending this requirement to paratransit providers, the legislation seeks to ensure that riders receive consistent stop information regardless of the type of transit service they use.

GOVERNOR SHERRILL APPOINTS LISA MONTALBANO AS OMBUDSMAN FOR INDIVIDUALS WITH INTELLECTUAL AND DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES

Governor Mikie Sherrill announced the appointment of Lisa Montalbano to serve as Ombudsman for Individuals with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities and their families. Montalbano will lead the Office of the IDDO which is dedicated to helping individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families navigate New Jersey's systems of care and access state resources that facilitate independence and dignity.

“I am thrilled to appoint Lisa Montalbano to serve as Ombudsman for Individuals with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities. Lisa brings more than two decades of experience connecting individuals with disabilities and their families with opportunities. I am confident that under her leadership, this office will serve as an invaluable resource in ensuring New Jersey residents can connect with the state’s diverse array of supports and services," said Governor Sherrill.

"I am honored to be appointed to serve as New Jersey's Ombudsman for Individuals with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities," said Lisa Montalbano. “I look forward to partnering with the governor to ensure New Jerseyans with intellectual and developmental disabilities can access the tools and resources to thrive.”

Pursuant to P.L. 2017, c. 269, the ombudsperson’s roles include serving as a source of information for individuals with intellectual or developmental disabilities and their families; supporting navigation of the process for obtaining services and supports from the Department of Human Services and the Department of Children and Families; educating and acting neutrally and objectively to support dispute resolutions; and identifying patterns of complaints and relevant improvement strategies.

BILLS ADVANCED

BIANJ monitors legislation that may be of interest to the brain injury cause. The following legislation has advanced through the legislative process. If you have questions about any of these bills, contact Tom Grady, Director of Advocacy and Public Affairs at tgrady@bianj.org.

New Jersey

S3811: Requires DHS to promote and support volunteerism in connection to compliance with certain eligibility requirements for NJ FamilyCare and SNAP recipients.
S4335: Prohibits surcharge on transportation network company riders for certain paratransit service.
S4337: Prohibits certain actions while driving.
S4348: Requires creation of central registry of residents with special needs for use during emergencies.
S2456: Requires school bus personnel members to call 911 emergency line in potential life-threatening emergencies; requires certain school buses transporting students with disabilities to be equipped with certain safety features; makes appropriation.
S4524: Requires all operators of low-speed electric bicycles to wear helmets.
SJR95: Establishes “Persons with Disabilities and Senior Citizen Transportation Services Task Force” to study and make recommendations concerning ways to improve transportation services for persons with disabilities and senior citizens.
A2130: Creates certain public meeting requirements for passenger advisory committees.
A2132: Requires Access Link paratransit vehicle operators to announce stops for passengers.
A3883: Requires DHS to promote and support volunteerism in connection to compliance with certain eligibility requirements for NJ FamilyCare and SNAP recipients; appropriates $125,000 to DHS and Office of Volunteerism.
A5135: Establishes certain protections for drivers and holders of non-driver identification cards diagnosed with certain disabilities.
A5151: Prohibits surcharge on transportation network company riders for certain paratransit service.
AJR150: Designates September 21 of each year as “New Jersey Pedestrian Crosswalk Safety Day.”

THANK YOU TO OUR LEGISLATIVE SUPPORTERS

BIANJ would like to publicly thank the following legislators listed below for sponsoring legislation that reflects our mission and vision. Please click on their names below and thank them for supporting legislation that benefits the brain injury community.

Senator Holly Schepisi for registering as a co-sponsor for S-192 Scs (SCS) which establishes certain protections for drivers and holders of non-driver identification cards diagnosed with certain disabilities.

Senator James Holzapfel for registering as a co-sponsor for S-438 which establishes minimum Medicaid reimbursement rate for structured day program services provided to beneficiary eligible for brain injury services.

Senators Owen Henry and Angela McKnight for registering as co-sponsors of S-4112 which establishes brain injury screening and education program in DCF.

Assemblywomen Verlina Reynolds Jackson and Linda Carter for sponsoring AJR188 which establishes “Persons with Disabilities and Senior Citizen Transportation Services Task Force” to study and make recommendations concerning ways to improve transportation services for persons with disabilities and senior citizens.