To reauthorize and make improvements to Federal programs relating to the prevention, detection, and treatment of traumatic brain injuries, and for other purposes.

Bill Number: H.R. 1493
Origin Chamber: House
Congress: 119th Congress, Session 1
Policy Area: Health
Status: Introduced
Latest Action: 2026-07-02: Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 625.
Last Updated: 2026-07-10T14:50:40Z

AI-Generated Summary

Purpose This legislation reauthorizes and updates federal programs under the Public Health Service Act focused on preventing, detecting, and treating traumatic brain injuries (TBI). It extends funding through 2030, expands data collection on at-risk groups, and requires new studies and reports to improve services.

Key Provisions

Surveillance and Registries: Renames the national TBI program after Bill Pascrell, Jr.; adds collection of data on prevalence, causes, risk factors, occupations, and short- and long-term outcomes; requires public availability of aggregated data on the CDC website, including tailored prevention strategies for higher-risk populations.
Prevention Activities: Updates goals to include injury and fatality reduction; extends planning to 2030; adds focus on higher-risk groups (e.g., due to occupational or circumstantial factors) and related conditions like mental health issues.
State Grant Programs: Requires states and American Indian consortia to consider higher-risk populations in outreach; adds a maintenance-of-effort requirement and allows waivers of up to 50% of matching funds; updates the definition of TBI to include acquired brain injuries from trauma, anoxia, infection, or toxicity (excluding congenital or degenerative conditions); allows the Secretary to revise the definition after consultation.
Protection and Advocacy: Reauthorizes grants for these services.
Report to Congress: Requires HHS to submit a report within two years covering higher-risk populations (e.g., domestic violence or sexual assault victims and public safety officers), data gaps, outreach efforts, and challenges.
Long-Term Study: Directs HHS to conduct or contract for a study on chronic TBI symptoms, research evidence, links to conditions like dementia, available services, and research gaps; results must be reported to Congress and made public if conducted by HHS.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

Extends authorizations of appropriations for TBI programs from 2020–2024 to 2026–2030.
Broadens data requirements to include prevalence, risk factors, and higher-risk populations.
Introduces maintenance-of-effort rules and matching-fund waivers for state grants.
Updates the TBI definition and adds public data dissemination requirements.
Mandates new federal reporting and research on long-term effects and vulnerable groups.

Potential Impacts

Government Agencies: Increases responsibilities for CDC and HHS in data collection, public reporting, and coordination with other federal entities; may require updates to surveys and websites.
Citizens: Improves access to prevention information and services for individuals with TBI, particularly those in higher-risk groups; supports better identification and treatment of long-term effects.
States and Tribes: Provides more flexible grant options but adds reporting and effort requirements; enhances support for American Indian consortia.
No direct international relations effects noted.

Main Stakeholders Affected

Individuals who have experienced TBI, including those with long-term symptoms.
Higher-risk populations such as public safety officers, victims of domestic violence or sexual assault, and those in certain occupations.
State governments, American Indian consortia, and community providers.
Federal agencies including HHS and CDC.
Advocacy organizations and third-party payers involved in TBI services.

Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications The bill operates within existing public health authorities and does not introduce new regulatory mandates on private entities. It emphasizes equity in data collection for vulnerable groups without altering constitutional powers or creating new legal liabilities. The focus on maintenance of effort and waivers may affect state-federal funding dynamics but remains administrative in nature.

This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.

Sponsor

Rep. Pallone, Frank [D-NJ-6]

Cosponsors (6)

Rep. Bacon, Don [R-NE-2], Rep. Menendez, Robert [D-NJ-8], Rep. Crenshaw, Dan [R-TX-2], Rep. Deluzio, Christopher R. [D-PA-17], Rep. Rutherford, John H. [R-FL-5], Rep. Vindman, Eugene Simon [D-VA-7]

Recent Actions

2026-07-02: Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 625.
2026-07-02: Reported by the Committee on Energy and Commerce. H. Rept. 119-720.
2026-07-02: Reported by the Committee on Energy and Commerce. H. Rept. 119-720.
2026-05-21: Ordered to be Reported by the Yeas and Nays: 43 - 0.
2026-05-21: Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
2025-02-21: Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
2025-02-21: Introduced in House
2025-02-21: Introduced in House

Bill Versions

To reauthorize and make improvements to Federal programs relating to the prevention, detection, and treatment of traumatic brain injuries, and for other purposes. — issued 2025-02-21 — PDF (11 pages)
To reauthorize and make improvements to Federal programs relating to the prevention, detection, and treatment of traumatic brain injuries, and for other purposes. — issued 2026-07-02 — PDF (14 pages)