dLCV is here to educate policy makers, and especially 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.
The 2021 session of the General Assembly is just two weeks old, but already the legislature is acting on some bills affecting persons with brain injuries.
HB 1873, from Delegate Coyner, and SB 1421, from Senator Edwards, eliminates the requirement that an injury occur before the age of 65 to constitute a brain injury. The House version was approved by the full House of Delegates and now awaits action in the Senate. The Senate version was approved by committee and has been read twice in the Senate. We expect final passage today. Because the bills are identical, we expect final approval to happen pretty quickly.
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 was approved by the Committee on Education on Monday and now goes to the full House for debate and vote.
SJ 276, from Senators Favola and Barker, and HJ 596, from Delegates Keam and Gooditis, will designate September as Brain Aneurysm Awareness month. The House version was approved by the Committee on Rules and now goes to the full House. Likewise, the Senate version was approved by the Committee on Rules and has been read once by the full Senate. We expect passage of both later this week.
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.