Relates to allowing telephone calls prior to an incarcerated individual's transfer

2025 Regular Session Introduced by George Alvarez and 10 co-sponsors

Expands the Traumatic Brain Injury Fund to cover transportation costs for eligible individuals to attend support group meetings in New Jersey.

REFERRED TO CORRECTION

Summary of Assembly Bill A 3780

Overview

A 3780, introduced February 22, 2024 and referred to the Correction Committee, would amend New Jersey’s Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) Fund (P.L.2001, c.332) to broaden eligible transportation-related assistance. Specifically, it adds transportation costs incurred to access support group meetings for adults and minors with traumatic brain injuries. The bill is currently in the “referred to Correction” stage as of the latest action.

What the bill would do

Expand the purposes of the Traumatic Brain Injury Fund to include payment of transportation costs for eligible individuals to attend support group meetings in New Jersey.

Clarify that “support group meetings” are gatherings of individuals with TBIs seeking information, perspective, and improvements in well-being.

Maintain existing fund uses for transportation to medical appointments, treatment facilities, and vocational programs, but add support group transportation to those covered by the fund.

The fund continues to support post-acute care, services, and financial assistance for eligible residents with TBIs, and public information/prevention education coordinated by the Brain Injury Association of New Jersey.

Key provisions and limits

Eligibility and administration: The Department of Human Services, in consultation with the appropriate council, would establish eligibility criteria for the new post-acute supports and financial assistance, with the department handling expenditures.

Expenditure caps (per eligible person):

Total expenditures not to exceed $100,000.
No more than $15,000 may be expended in any 12-month period.
Waivers may be available to exceed these limits, subject to approval.

Resource-based limitation: Funds are provided only when comparable resources are not available or cannot be delivered in a timely manner.

Priority and recovery: The fund has first claim on future monies (e.g., settlements) received by the person related to the TBI, to the extent of the assistance provided.

If funds are insufficient: The department, with council input, may establish an order of selection to determine funding priority among eligible individuals.

Administration: The department would accept applications for disbursements, maintain records of disbursements and donations, and coordinate with existing state resources and organizations when practicable.

Affected parties

Primary: New Jersey residents who have survived traumatic brain injuries and qualify for TBI Fund assistance.

Administrative and partner entities: Department of Human Services, the relevant council, the Brain Injury Association of New Jersey, and participating state agencies/nonprofit organizations involved in administering the fund.

Administrative and timeline notes

Effective date: Immediate upon enactment.

Related actions: Companion bills exist (e.g., S 816; S 1050) indicating parallel consideration in the Senate.

Legislative history: Introduced in the Assembly on February 22, 2024; as of January 30, 2025, the bill is listed as REFERRED TO CORRECTION.

Revenue context

The TBI Fund is supported in part by a $0.50 surcharge on motor vehicle registration fees, and currently funds transportation for medical-related access among other uses; the bill would increase the scope of covered transportation expenditures in line with improved access to support groups.