Legislative Action/Issues

The Brain Injury Association of Missouri strives for access to services and independent living for persons with brain injury as well as the prevention of brain injuries and public safety within the State of Missouri. We support Federal legislative issues in partnership with the Brain Injury Association of America (BIAA).

Missouri Legislative Action/Issues

The Missouri legislature will begin its sessions in January 2021. Be active with Brain Injury Association legislative issues.

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Brain Injury WaiverMissouri does not currently have a Brain Injury Waiver for children or adults with brain injury. When the brain injury happens at age 21 or younger, it is considered a developmental disability and the person may be eligible for Waiver services through the Missouri Department of Mental Health – Developmental Disabilities.

Not having a Brain Injury Waiver creates a huge gap in available services for individuals when traumatic brain injury happens between age 22 and 64 of the person. There is also a gap in services for individuals who sustain an acquired brain injury such as anoxic, aneurysm, stroke or other internal cause of damage to your brain.

Missouri Action on a Brain Injury Waiver

BIA-MO and other advocates have worked on a Missouri Brain Injury Waiver since about 2000. Progress was made. There is currently nearly $725,000 in the Missouri Budget for a Brain Injury Waiver. The Waiver application for this funding is currently being finalized by the Department of Health and Senior Services. When the public comment period of 30 days is open, a link will be provided on this website.

The Brain Injury Waiver would complement the Missouri DHSS Adult Brain Injury Program by providing rehabilitation and support services earlier in the recovery process for individuals who qualify for the Waiver. As of October 2018, there were 60 individuals waiting an average of 240 days for Adult Brain Injury Program Services.

Basically, the Brain Injury Waiver will provide access to services earlier for persons with brain injury.

What is a Brain Injury Waiver?

A “Waiver” is a funding source for service. There are various “waivers” throughout Departments of Missouri State Government. The State of Missouri allocates a specific amount for each Waiver which is then “matched” by Federal Medicaid dollars. The percentage allocated by the State and the percentage matched by Medicaid, differs for each Waiver. When funding is cut by Missouri or the Federal government, there is less money for the specific Waiver and less services for individuals served by the specific Waiver.

Each Waiver has separate eligibility criteria, which is modified often. To find out details about specific Waivers, Contact the coordinating Missouri Department:

Department of Mental Health (DMH) Waivers:

Division of Developmental Disabilities (DD)
Brain injury is considered a developmental disability when it occurred at age 21 or younger, regadless of the current age of the person.

Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS) Waivers for Senior Adults:

Motorcycle Helmet Law

Missouri no longer has an all-rider motorcycle helmet law that requires every motorcycle driver and passenger to wear a DOT safety certified motorcycle helmet when the motorcycle is in motion.

Missouri Action on Motorcycle Helmet Law

Governor Parson signed House Bill (HB) 1963. He repealed the Missouri all-rider motorcycle helmet law.

As of August 28, 2020 more people will die and will sustain brain injuries on Missouri roadways. It is unfortunate that Governor Mike Parson chose to ignore calls, emails and letters from organizations and individual advocates. Instead he decided to add to the Missouri Budget shortfall, allow higher costs to Missouri taxpayers and increase waiting lists for services for individuals with brain injury.

Governor Parson’s signing of HB 1963 contradicts his position on other current issues facing Missouri.

Regarding the COVID-19 crisis, Gov. Parson said that the State would not overstep its boundaries and that local officials would determine when the timing is right for local governments to re-open their communities.  However, HB 1963 takes away local control of motorcycle helmet laws by not allowing them to pass local motorcycle helmet laws. Recently he signed HB 600 as “safety” for our communities. Data has proven that motorcycle helmets are a safety feature for motorcyclists.

Signing HB 1963 is a disappointing decision by Gov. Parson and a setback for Missouri residents.

Thank you for all of your efforts as we tried to prevent brain injuries and save lives!

Maureen Cunningham
Brain Injury Association of Missouri
Executive Director

Map of Unhelmeted Motorcyclists Fatalities Rates by State.

Motorcycles in Missouri infographic.

Youth Sports Brain Injury Concussion Act (2011)

The Missouri Legislature enacted HB 300 The Youth Sports Brain Injury Concussion Act in August 2011.

Provisions of this law:

  • Youth athletes of school-sponsored sports teams in grades 7 – 12 suspected of a concussion shall be removed from play or practice for a minimum of 24 hours.
  • Annual education for parents and athletes about concussion signs and symptoms.
  • Clearance by a healthcare professional trained in the evaluation and management of concussions.

Who are my Representatives

To locate your State and Federal Representatives use the “Legislator Look Up” on the Missouri General Assembly website. By your address, including the zip code + 4 digits, your Representatives will be listed with links to their websites. You can also contact Courtney Stevens, BIA-MO Office Administrator, at Courtney@biamo.org or 1-800-444-6443.

Federal Legislative Issues

The Brain Injury Association of America (BIAA) is a leader in brain injury related advocacy in Washington DC.

Program and Service Partnerships

The Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS) Adult Brain Injury Program is one of the few state programs that provides rehabilitation and transitional support services for adults with brain injury. They serve individuals between the ages of 21 and 64 who sustained a traumatic brain injury. Stroke and other acquired brain injuries are excluded from Adult Brain Injury Services.

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The Emergency Nurse Association of Missouri’s mission is to advocate for patient safety and excellence in emergency nursing practice. They strive to be the global emergency nursing resource and advocate for Safe Practice and Safe Care.

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The Governor´s Council on Disability (GCD) promotes full participation and inclusion of the nearly 1 million Missourians with disabilities in all aspects of community life by educating citizens, businesses, schools, universities and others of their rights and responsibilities under the Americans with Disabilities Act.

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The purpose of the AgrAbility Project is to help increase the likelihood that farmers, ranchers, farm workers, and farm family members who are limited by any type of disability or chronic health condition employed in production agriculture or agriculture-related occupations become more successful.

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This association is an organization of school administrators, board members, teachers, parents, institutions of higher education, businessmen and women — all who are interested in serving rural community school districts in Missouri.  The purpose of this association is to focus on the needs and concerns unique to rural education, to provide a forum for the discussion and resolution of those needs and concerns, and to present a unified voice to promote rural education in Missouri.

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The mission of Missouri Association of School Nurses is to provide leadership, promote professional growth and to advance the practice of school nursing for the benefit of children.

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The Missouri Athletic Trainers’ Association (MoATA) is the professional organization for athletic trainers in the state of Missouri. The MoATA directly serves its members by promoting the profession through communication, education, and advocacy. The MoATA indirectly serves the people of Missouri via its commitment to advancing the health care provided by athletic trainers.

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Missouri Beginning Farmer Rancher Development Program aims to reach individuals who are just getting started as well as those who come to farming with very distinctive and specific needs such as language barriers, cultural differences, and military service disabilities.

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The Missouri Brain Injury Advisory Council (MBIAC), makes recommendations to the Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS) Director for developing and administering a state plan to provide services for brain injured persons. The Brain Injury Advisory Council is also a core component/requirement of the Federal Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) Implementation Partnership grant and serves in an advisory capacity related to the grant activities.

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Missouri Budget Project improves the quality of life for all Missourians by informing public policy decisions through objective research and analysis of state budget, tax and economic issues.

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The Missouri Coalition for Community Behavioral Healthcare (formerly Missouri Coalition of Community Mental Health Centers), founded in 1978, represents Missouri’s not-for-profit community mental health centers, as well as alcohol and addiction treatment agencies, affiliated community psychiatric rehabilitation service providers, and a clinical call center.

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The purpose of the Missouri Injury and Violence Prevention Advisory Committee (MIVPAC) is to provide advice, expertise, and guidance to the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services, Injury and Violence Prevention Program and to establish injury prevention as a state priority.

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The Missouri School Boards’ Association (MSBA) is a private, not-for profit organization that exists to help local school boards succeed. MSBA serves as the unified voice of school board members throughout the state and provides board member training, comprehensive policy support, legal assistance, superintendent search guidance, and other services designed to allow school boards to put maximum resources in the classroom.

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The MSHSAA promotes the value of participation, sportsmanship, team play, and personal excellence to develop citizens who make positive contributions to their community and support the democratic principles of our state and nation.

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How To Help
  • Click on the online donation link.

  • Mail a check to:

    Donation Mailing Address
    Brain Injury Association of Missouri
    2265 Schuetz Rd
    Saint Louis, MO  63146-3409

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This is the only conference in Missouri established to specifically address issues relating to brain injury. Thursday, October 19 and Friday, October 20 is for professionals who work with survivors of Brain Injury on a periodic or full time basis. Saturday, October 21 is applicable to survivors and [...]
Survivors of brain injury and family members will come together for an in-person event in Saint Louis on Saturday, October
The Brain Injury Association of Missouri (BIA-MO) One Day Regional Camps were held in Columbia, Kansas City, Springfield and St. Louis in Spring and Fall 2023. Camp activities included arts and crafts, games and music as well as enjoying nature and spending time with

BIA-MO UPCOMING EVENTS

Event Series Kirksville Support Group

Kirksville Support Group

Rural Advocates for Independent Living (RAIL) 1100 S. Jamison, Kirksville,, MO

Kirksville – First Monday of Month at 6:00 pm.  Rural Advocates for Independent Living (RAIL), 1100 S. Jamison, Kirksville, MO 63501 Contact: Don Bindner (660) 988-1923