Transcript Becoming a BIA

Kelly Buttiglieri, J.D.
Ambassador Program Coordinator
[email protected]
(508) 475-0032
Presentation by: Sarah Duchesne
Joanne Susi
Maria Kidd
Michael Gray
Sean Rowell
Ambassador Program
 Opportunity for TBI survivors and family members
to share their stories.
 Portion of speech conveys the same message about
our organizations, TBIs/ABIs, Stats and Prevention.
 We have questions to ask self when writing your
portion.
 Audiences include Rotary Clubs, Lions Clubs,
Kiwanis Clubs and more….
 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L3KHBczTYxA
The Process of Becoming a Law in
Massachusetts
 1. Bill is Filed
 2. Committee
Hearings, Decision,
and Further Review:
The committee holds a public
hearing on each bill. Anyone can
attend, testify, or submit written
information
 3. House and Senate
Consider the Bill: The
House and Senate must each
pass the bill twice in order for it
to move onto the next step.
 4. Conference
Committee: If the House
and Senate pass different
versions of the bill, then 6
members from each body meet
to work out an agreed version.
 5.Bill Sent to
Governor: The governor
has 10 days to approve the bill
and sign it into law. If he rejects
the bill, the it is sent back with
amendments. If the governor
does nothing, the bill becomes
law after 10 days.
Purpose of Advocacy
 Speaking with state
legislators and government
agencies to ensure
appropriate services are
available to survivors and
their families
 Pushing for new legislation
for improved services
 Brain injury prevention
and services become law.
Past Success Stories
 Hutchinson v. Patrick Class
Action Settlement (2008)
 Statewide Head Injury
Program (SHIP)
 Secondary Seat Belt Law
Services Needed
 Services level-funded
 Programs to keep families together
 Promoting self-sufficiency
 Only 2 day programs in the state
 Strengthening residential services
Current BIA-MA
Advocacy Efforts
#BrainInjuryAffects
Committee Hearings
Budget FY’15-Line
Item (4120-6000)
Line Item (4120-6000)
Head Injury Treatment Services
Line Item (4120-6000)
Head Injury Treatment Services
Line Item (4120-6000)
Head Injury Treatment Services
2013 Advocacy Campaign
 HITS fund supports community based services, case
management, respite services, etc under the
Massachusetts Rehabilitation Commission.
 HITS Fund was increased to 75% for 2013 and 100%
this year.
 Funding for the HITS fund comes from fines collected
in the courts for speeding, DUI and DWI offenses.
 Our office spent 832 hours advocating for HITS.
How Can You Help?
#BrainInjuryAffects
 Are you a brain injury survivor, mother, father or
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caregiver?
BIA-MA is looking to put a “face” to brain injury by
sharing how they’re affected by brain injury through
anecdotes and personal stories.
Go to www.biama.org/braininjuryaffects.html to
download the forms.
Submit your story and a picture of yourself holding up
the #BrainInjuryAffects sign.
Your story may be used to talk to your representative
about the services you need.
#BrainInjuryAffects
Contact Information
 For more information about becoming an advocate
you can visit our website:
 www.biama.org/advocacy
 You can also contact our office for more information.
Kelly Buttiglieri, J.D.
Ambassador Program Coordinator
[email protected]
30 Lyman Street, Suite 10
Westborough, MA 01581
(508) 475-0032 (P)
(508) 475-0040 (F)