Governor Signs Legislation to Establish a TBI Account to fund a Public Awareness Campaign and Community Based Services to Benefit TBI Survivors and their Families

Historic Legislation Supported and Welcomed by BIA-WA Members Statewide

Washington State Capital, Olympia

Governor Chris Gregoire Signs the Legislation with BIA-WA Supporters and our community partners from Washington Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS), Washington Advocacy Protection Services (WPAS), the Brain Injury Resource Center, North West Chapter of Paralyzed Veterans of America, and the Tacoma Brain Injury Support Group advocates. The bill creates a traumatic brain injury (TBI) account in the state treasury. A two dollar penalty per traffic infraction funds the TBI account. The bill also establishes a TBI strategic partnership advisory council. The Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS) must designate a staff member to coordinate policies, programs, and services for individuals with TBI and also assist the advisory council on identifying service needs and gaps. DSHS must provide an annual report summarizing the actions of both the advisory council and the department in meeting the needs of individuals with TBI. The TBI strategic partnership advisory council will meet monthly from August 2007 through December 2008, and ongoing meetings will occur quarterly from January 2009 through June 2013. The bill requires the department to institute a public awareness campaign.

Governor Chris Gregoire signs legislation known as SSHB 2055 to establish the TBI Account with BIA-WA and Tacoma Brain Injury Support Group advocates. Standing to just to the right of the Governor is Rep. Dennis Flannigan (27th District) – the primary sponsor of the Legislation. Standing second to the right of the Governor is Tommy Manning – a survivor and Tacoma’s persistent advocate who served as the inspiration for this legislation. Standing at the far right is Seattle’s Dave Stevens – a pharmacist, an attorney, and a survivor – Seattle’s persistent advocate and a primary inspiration for the Senate’s companion bill sponsored by Senator Ken Jacobsen (District 46) during this past session. To the left of the Governor is Senator Debbie Regala (District 27) – another one of our “champions” and a key supporter of this bill as it made its way through the process.

One of the primary inspirations for the Legislation - Tacoma Support Group’s Tommy Manning with Governor Chris Gregoire

BIA-WA President Richard Adler and BIA-WA Executive Director Gene van den Bosch express their appreciation to Governor Chris Gregoire for signing the Legislation.

BIA-WA President Richard Adler and Tacoma Brain Injury Support Group advocate Tommy Manning – the survivor who so strongly advocated for this legislation and the survivor who represented thousands of other survivors across Washington as the inspiration for this Legislation.

Washington State Senator Rosa Franklin (29th District) – one of the sponsors for the Legislation - and BIA-WA Executive Director enjoy the celebration surrounding the signing of the Legislation.