What's New
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Get Involved
Advocacy

BIA-MA works closely with the state legislature and government agencies to ensure that appropriate services are available to survivors and their families. BIA-MA is also actively involved in the creation of new legislation for improved services, and it advocates for legislation related to the prevention of brain injury, including bills regarding seat belts, helmets, housing, transportation and other issues.
For more information or to learn how you can get involved, please contact:
Inta Hall, Public Policy Consultant
Email: izhall@comcast.net
A Call to Action
Amendments have been filed to secure additional funds for brain injury services. Call your State Senator and ask him/her to support the following amendments to the FY 2011 budget.

Amendment #732 filed by Representative Koutoujian of Waltham
Amendments #722, 723, 724 filed by Representative Cantwell of Marshfield

The HITS Trust Fund language (Chapter 90, sections 20 and 24) will be changed by the above amendments to give the HITS Trust Fund 100% of funds collected on speeding, DUI and driving to endanger citations. At this time only 70% is deposited in the Trust Fund.

Amendment #698 filed by Representative Clark of Melrose

This bill adds $2.3 million to the SHIP line item 4120-6000 that would total $13,181,382. Failure to appropriate $13,181,382 to this line item will result in a termination of community residential services for people with traumatic brain injury. Many individuals will be forced out of their homes. More than 3000 Massachusetts residents are waiting for brain injury services.


Support Legislation on Cognitive Rehabilitation Benefits
Full Text of the bill here
Download Information about Seat Belt Safety
Seat Belt Fact Sheet

Legislative Successes
  • Hutchinson v. Patrick Class Action Settlement (2008);
  • Supported passage of Shaken Baby Syndrome Law;
  • Instrumental in passage of secondary Seat Belt Law;
  • Established HITS, the Head Injury Treatment Services Trust Fund, financed by surcharges on drunk driving and speeding;
  • Instrumental in the establishment of the Statewide Head Injury Program (SHIP), which funds community-based and other support services for persons with traumatic brain injury.


Brain Injury Help Line  ~  (800) 242-0030