Legislative and Advocacy Round-up

October 2024

Bill to Increase Penalties for Failing to Properly Secure a Child in a Car Seat Advances

The Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee advanced legislation sponsored by Senator James Beach (pictured left) that would increase the penalties for motor vehicle operators who fail to secure a child in a child passenger restraint system or booster seat pursuant to law.

The bill would increase the penalty for a first offense to a fine of $100 and would provide that for a first offense, the court would waive the fine to be imposed if the defendant demonstrates that he or she is in possession of a child passenger restraint system. The fine for second and subsequent offenses would be between $250 and $500.

"A properly secured car seat is essential to the safety and well-being of a child in the event of a motor vehicle crash, as they have proven to be extremely effective at reducing the risk of severe or fatal injuries," said Senator Beach. "This bill serves as a better deterrent for repeat offenders and does more to make all parents aware of their responsibility to correctly secure the car seat in order to ensure that it is fully effective."

The bill, S-1220, would also establish a Child Passenger Restraint System Assistance Fund to be administered by the State Treasurer. From the monies collected from each fine, $25 would be deposited into the fund and used exclusively by the Division of Highway Traffic Safety to purchase child passenger restraint systems for distribution to persons and organizations that establish and maintain distribution programs.

Bill Creating Disabled Veterans Transportation Task Force Advances

The Senate Military and Veterans' Affairs Committee unanimously passed bipartisan legislation sponsored by Senator Kristin M. Corrado (pictured right) that would address the transportation needs of veterans with disabilities.

"Disabled veterans in New Jersey often face disconnected transportation services that make it difficult for them to travel to important medical appointments, veterans' centers, and employment appointments," said Sen. Corrado. "This legislation would create a task force specifically designed to fix this broken system so disabled veterans can receive the care they rightly deserve."

Corrado's bill, S-3410, would require the Department of Military and Veterans' Affairs to establish a Disabled Veterans Transportation Task Force with the purpose of identifying barriers and developing ways to improve transportation access for disabled veterans.

The State currently has a program in partnership with 21 counties to help veterans reach VA hospitals, but the program has faced persistent complaints about availability for years, leading veterans to miss their appointments.

"Transportation remains one of the biggest challenges facing New Jersey veterans, in some cases keeping disabled veterans from receiving much-needed medical care," added Corrado. "Fixing this excessive government bureaucracy is the least we can do for the men and women who served our nation."

Bill Supporting Specialized Nursing Care for Children Passes Committee

The Assembly Health Committee cleared a bill aimed at maintaining specialized nursing care for New Jersey children with medically complex conditions.

Sponsored by Assemblyman Robert Auth (pictured left), the bill establishes a minimum Medicaid and New Jersey Family Care reimbursement rate of $950 per day for pediatric special care nursing facilities.

Medicaid, which includes Family Care, currently pays hospitals some of the lowest rates in the nation. Nemours Children's Health cited the poor reimbursement rate as the driving factor in its decision to withdraw from the state's Medicaid network last August. It left 10,000 families scrambling to find appropriate care for their children.

"The few pediatric special care nursing facilities in our state have a massive responsibility to treat our state's most medically fragile children, and families have come to rely on their expertise and accessibility. New Jersey cannot undervalue their services and maintain access for families at the same time," Auth said. "Setting a minimum reimbursement rate supports the critical system of care for children with highly-specific needs and disabilities, and low-income families."

Currently, just four specialized nursing care facilities treat children up to 21 years of age and participate in Medicaid: Children's Specialized Hospital's two long-term care centers in northern and central New Jersey, Phoenix Center for Rehabilitation and Pediatrics in Haskell, and the Voorhees Pediatric Facility in Camden County.

Medicaid covers 2.1 million residents in the state, including half of all children.

"Coordinating care for sick children who need a dozen or more doctors and countless treatments is an overwhelming burden that falls on the shoulders of loving and tireless parents. Making sure hospitals are being paid fairly so more providers don't leave the state is the least we can do," Auth said.

The minimum reimbursement rate is tied to facilities' compliance with state and federal laws on licensing, patient safety, and care quality.

Legislation of Interests to Brain Injury Cause Advances

The Brain Injury Alliance of New Jersey monitors legislation that can 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 or wish to advocate a position for any of them, contact Tom Grady, Director of Advocacy and Public Affairs at tgrady@bianj.org.

S265: Requires owners of certain multiple dwellings of three or more floors to provide priority status to senior citizens and disabled residents moving to lower floors.

S1220: Increases penalties for failing to secure a child in a child passenger restraint system or booster seat while operating a motor vehicle.

S2815: Allows holder of disabled veteran or Purple Heart license plate or placard to park in parking spots for persons with disability.

S3410: Requires DMVA establish Disabled Veterans Transportation Task Force.

S3477: Establishes Special Education Transportation Task Force.

S3501: Requires certain public awareness campaigns to include information about duty of motorist to take certain action when approaching pedestrian, bicycle, or personal conveyance. 

S3752: Establishes certain governance and service standards for developmental disability service providers; appropriates $300,000.

S3754: Establishes “Disability Mortality and Abuse Prevention Advisory Committee” in DHS; makes appropriation.

S3755: Establishes framework for appointment of receiver for provider of services to individuals with developmental disabilities.

S3843: Requires continuation of health benefits dependent coverage for certain children with disabilities who are 26 years of age or older.

SJR71: Designates first week of May of each year as Wounded Warrior Appreciation Week.

A1476: Establishes “New Jersey Target Zero Commission.”

A2940: Establishes minimum Medicaid and NJ FamilyCare reimbursement rate for pediatric special care nursing facilities.

A4934: Requires continuation of health benefits dependent coverage for certain children with disabilities who are 26 years of age or older.

A4943: Mandates certain licensed mental health professional are qualified to provide behavioral health care supports through home and community-based services program administered by Division of Developmental Disabilities.

A4945: Requires access to certain assistive services for students with disabilities at public institutions of higher education.

A4985: Requires DOT to ensure electric vehicle charging stations are accessible to disabled drivers.

A5005: Requires DHS and other appropriate State agencies to disseminate information on transportation options for persons with developmental disabilities.

Approved by the governor

A2607: Modifies definition of “paratransit service” under various sections of law.

Thank You to our Legislative Supporters

The Brain Injury Alliance of New Jersey supports a broad range of legislation that speaks to its mission and vision. The Alliance would like to publicly thank the following legislators for sponsoring legislation that reflects our mission and vision. 

S361/A1476: Establishes “New Jersey Target Zero Commission.”

Senator Shirley Turner

* Assemblyman William Sampson

S804: “New Jersey Disability Savings Act.”

* Senator Owen Henry

S816: Expands purpose of Traumatic Brain Injury Fund to support transportation costs incurred by eligible individuals in accessing support group meetings.

* Senator Owen Henry

S843: Requires Adjutant General of DMVA create program for veterans to receive evaluation and treatment for PTSD, total brain injury, or traumatic brain injury.

* Senator Owen Henry

S3885: Upgrades assault on victims who are disabled.

* Senator Owen Henry

S3886: Creates crime of victimization of a senior citizen or a person with a disability.

* Senator Owen Henry

S1220: Increases penalties for failing to secure a child in a child passenger restraint system or booster seat while operating a motor vehicle.

Senator Paul Moriarty

S1534: Increases annual property tax deduction for senior citizens and disabled persons from $250 to $500.

* Senator Carmen Amato

A1582: Requires public school students with concussion to be evaluated by licensed health care professionals before return to school; requires school districts to provide restrictions or limitations to student as needed.

* Assemblywoman Dr. Margie Donlon

AJR109: 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.

* Assemblywoman Dr. Margie Donlon

S1649: Creates crime of fiscal victimization against senior citizens or disabled persons.

* Senator James Beach

S1960: Requires helmet while operating bicycle, scooter, or motorized scooter.

* Senator Angela McKnight

S2518: Increases annual income limitation to receive senior and disabled citizens’ property tax deduction to $15,000.

* Senator Carmen Amato

A3993: Require use of helmets when operating or riding upon electric bicycle or electric scooter.

* Assemblywoman Carmen Morales

Voices Advancing the Brain Injury Community to Hold Monthly Meeting

Voices will be meeting at 10:00 AM, Wednesday, November 13th, 2024. This meeting will be held hybrid If you would like to attend in-person, the location is: Opportunity Project, 60 East Willow Street, Millburn, NJ 07041. Whether you are interested in attending in-person or virtually, please register HERE. This will ensure that you will receive any important notices about the meeting. Send any agenda items you want to be considered to Tom Grady HERE, Director of Advocacy and Public Affairs by 3:00 PM, Monday, November 11th, 2024.

The Voices Advancing the Brain Injury Community champions and publicizes the advocacy, rights, and needs of people who have sustained a brain injury, and their families. Do you want your voice heard?

BIANJ is funded in part through the New Jersey Department of Human Services, Division of Disability Services, and

New Jersey Department of Children and Families.