State of New Jersey
Executive Order #84

Governor Christine Todd Whitman

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