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 (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 Account is an appropriated account administered by the DSHS.  The Account is funded by a $5 fee imposed on traffic infractions.  Funds from the 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 and their families with traumatic brain injuries for information and referral services; and
• for costs of DSHS staff providing support for the Council.

The traffic infraction fee that is deposited in the  Traumatic Brain Injury Account (Account) is increased from $5 to $10 per infraction.

The public awareness campaign to persuade Washington residents of the issues facing individuals with traumatic brain injuries is expanded to include information on the availability and benefits of in-person peer support groups, community integration programs, and other services designed to assist individuals with traumatic brain injuries and their families.  

Statewide Annual Traumatic Brain Injury Conference.

The Washington Traumatic Brain Injury Strategic Partnership Advisory Council (Council) is required to sponsor an annual statewide traumatic brain injury conference.  This event must provide opportunities for education, networking, and collaboration among survivors, caregivers, medical professionals, and community organizations to improve knowledge of traumatic brain injury issues and available resources.

The  Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS) must allocate a portion of funding from the Account to support the planning and execution of an annual traumatic brain injury conference.  The Council must provide recommendations on the content, structures, and speakers to ensure a comprehensive approach that includes survivor experiences, professional training, and policy discussions. 

Traumatic Brain Injury Account.

At least 30 percent of the annual expenditures from the Account must be used exclusively for:

• establishing and maintaining peer led and community-based in-person support groups for individuals with a traumatic brain injury and their families;
• developing structured skills-building programs designed to promote social integration and functional recovery for individuals of all ages, including pediatric-focused initiatives;
• supporting initiatives that provide direct peer-to-peer mentoring and navigation assistance for newly injured individuals and their families, including hospital-to community initiatives; and
• ensuring equitable access to support groups and community-based programs across urban and rural regions.  

The Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS) must ensure that funds dedicated to in-person support groups, the expansion of structured programs that facilitate direct peer-to-peer connection for individuals and family members impacted by traumatic brain injuries, and community integration programs prioritize peer engagement and are not disproportionately allocated to virtual-only support structures. 

Federal Funding.

The DSHS must proactively seek, apply for, and secure federal funding opportunities.  These efforts shall be conducted in coordination with the Council. Federal funds obtained pursuant to this subsection must supplement the traffic infraction fee amounts collected and must be deposited into the Account.  The DSHS shall ensure that any federal funds received enhance, rather than supplant, existing state funding dedicated to in-person support groups, community integration activities, and peer-to-peer recovery initiatives. 

The DSHS must make every effort to disburse revenue that is the result of the traffic infraction fee or federal funds in a diverse manner to include rural areas of the state.