WHEREAS, the
Brain Injury Association of New Jersey has identified traumatic
brain injury as the leading cause of death and disability among
children and young adults in this country; and
WHEREAS, since
the late 1970's, advances in medical technology have enabled many
persons with severe brain injury to survive these injuries; and
WHEREAS, persons
with brain injury may need specialized rehabilitation programs geared
to the specific needs of these individuals to live their lives to
the maximum potential; and
WHEREAS, establishing
records and providing treatment methods and services to people with
brain injury must be a priority for the State;
NOW, THEREFORE,
I, CHRISTINE TODD WHITMAN, Governor of the State of New Jersey,
by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and
by the Statutes of this State, do hereby ORDER and DIRECT:
1. There
is hereby established in the Department of Human Services the
New Jersey Advisory Council on Traumatic Brain Injury.
2. The Council
shall be composed of 18 public members, all of whom shall be appointed
by the Governor, including 8 individuals who are survivors of
traumatic brain injury or the family members of such individuals,
and at least 1 individual representing each of the following groups:
public or private health-related organizations, disability advisory
or planning groups within the State, the Brain Injury Association
of New Jersey, injury control programs at the State or local level,
and the Center for Health Statistics for data research purposes.
Initial terms of the public members shall be staggered as follows:
6 members shall serve for a term of 1 year; 6 members shall serve
for a term of 2 years; and 6 members shall serve for a term of
3 years. Thereafter members shall serve for terms of 3 years.
Vacancies shall be filled for the unexpired term.
3. The Commissioners
of the Departments of Human Services, Education, Health and Senior
Services, Community Affairs, Labor, Banking and Insurance, Law
and Public Safety, and Treasury and/or their designees, shall
also serve on the Council.
4. The Commissioner
of the Department of Human Services or his or her designee shall
chair the Council.
5. The Council
shall:
a. Advise
and make recommendations to the Department of Human Services
and the other related State agencies on ways to improve services
regarding traumatic brain injury, including the coordination
of such services between public and private entities;
b. Encourage
citizen participation through the establishment of public hearings
and other types of community outreach and prevention activities;
c. Encourage
and stimulate research and prevention activities; and
d. Oversee
any programs created under federal Public Law 104-166 known
as the Traumatic Brain Injury Act and any successive amendments
to said Act, and report to the federal government regarding
such programs.
6. The Council
shall meet quarterly and members shall serve without compensation.
7. This
Order shall take effect immediately.
GIVEN,
under my hand and seal,
this 28th day of May in the Year
of Our Lord, One Thousand Nine
Hundred and Ninety-Eight, and of
the Independence of the United States,
the Two Hundred and Twenty-Second.
/s/
Christine Todd Whitman
Governor
Attest:
/s/ John J.
Farmer, Jr.
Chief Counsel to the Governor
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