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HD 867

An Act to establish an acquired brain injury advisory board

194th Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Mike Brady and 18 co-sponsors

Massachusetts establishes an acquired brain injury advisory board to coordinate state policies and services for brain injury patients and improve care coordination across agencies.

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Bill Summary · HD 867

Legislative bill overview

HD 867 establishes an advisory board dedicated to acquired brain injury (ABI) issues in Massachusetts. The board would provide recommendations and guidance on policies, services, and support systems for individuals living with brain injuries acquired through trauma, stroke, anoxia, or other non-degenerative causes. This creates a formal mechanism for coordinating state resources and expertise around ABI care and prevention.

Why is this important

Acquired brain injuries affect hundreds of thousands of Americans annually and create complex, long-term needs for medical care, rehabilitation, employment support, and social services. Currently, ABI services in Massachusetts may be fragmented across multiple state agencies with no unified coordination. An advisory board could identify gaps in services, improve care pathways, and ensure that state policy reflects the needs of this population and their families.

Potential points of contention

  • Budget and staffing costs: Creating and maintaining an advisory board requires state funding for staff, meetings, and implementation of recommendations; fiscal impact details may not be fully specified
  • Scope and authority limitations: Advisory boards typically lack enforcement power, so recommendations may not translate into action without additional legislation or agency buy-in
  • Composition concerns: Who sits on the board (medical professionals, patients, advocacy groups, state officials) significantly affects whose perspectives shape recommendations; the bill's specificity on membership requirements is unclear

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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