Traumatic Brain Injury.

A traumatic brain injury is an injury to the brain caused by an external force.  The causes of a traumatic brain injury include falling, car accidents, and violence, among other things.  

Washington Traumatic Brain Injury Strategic Partnership Advisory Council.
The Washington traumatic brain injury strategic partnership advisory council (council) is responsible for coordinating with the Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS) on a comprehensive statewide plan to address the needs of individuals with traumatic brain injuries, providing recommendations to the DSHS on criteria used to select support group programs that receive support from the Traumatic Brain Injury Account, and reporting periodically to the Legislature and Governor. 

Council membership includes gubernatorial appointees and representatives of state and nonprofit agencies.

Traumatic Brain Injury Account.
The traumatic brain injury account is an appropriated account administered by the DSHS. This account is funded by a five dollar fee imposed on traffic infractions. Funds from this account may only be used:

• to support activities listed in the statewide traumatic brain injury comprehensive plan;
• to provide a public awareness campaign and services relating to traumatic brain injury including programs that facilitate support groups to individuals with traumatic brain injuries and their families) for information and referral services; and
• for costs of DSHS staff providing support for the council.

Washington Traumatic Brain Injury Strategic Partnership Council.

State employees are not allowed to serve as appointed council members on the Washington traumatic brain injury strategic partnership council (council), unless representing a state agency that is required to participate as a council member.  To the extent possible, appointed members of the council must reflect the racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic diversity of the state, including the different types of health insurance coverage that individuals may have.  

The required contents of the annual report provided by the council are expanded to include a summary of expenditures from, and deposits made into the traumatic brain injury account (account) during the previous two years.

The Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS) must provide public notice of each council meeting in advance and post the meeting agenda and materials on its website before the meeting.  The DSHS must also post on its website the meeting minutes, information about council membership, and reports developed by the council.

Council meetings are required to be open to the public and provide an opportunity for public comment.

Traumatic Brain Injury Support Groups.

The DSHS must provide funding to support at least one in-person traumatic brain injury support group in each region of the state served by an accountable community of health.

The council's recommendations to the DSHS on the criteria used in selecting support groups are modified to:

• reflect the diversity of individuals with traumatic brain injuries; and
• provide preference to programs that facilitate support groups led by individuals with direct lived experience with traumatic brain injuries or individuals certified as brain injury specialists.

Each support group funded by DSHS must ensure that the support groups meet at least quarterly and are free of charge.

The DSHS must approve at least one brain injury facilitation training curriculum to be used by the support groups.