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S5600119th CongressWALLET

Dennis John Benigno Traumatic Brain Injury Program Reauthorization Act of 2026

Sponsored By: Senator Armstrong, Alan [R-OK]

Passed Senate

Summary

Reauthorizes and expands the federal traumatic brain injury surveillance system and state grant programs. This bill would broaden what data is collected on traumatic brain injury, require public reporting, and extend federal grant authorizations through 2027–2031.

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  • Families and survivors: It would fund a focused study on long-term or chronic symptoms after TBI and require a public report and recommendations within 2 years, improving understanding of lasting effects for survivors and caregivers.
  • States, Tribal governments, and service providers: The bill updates state grant programs to include Tribal partners and populations at higher risk, and it moves the grant authorization window to 2027–2031 to continue funding outreach, education, and support services.
  • Public health agencies, researchers, and clinicians: The CDC must collect and publish aggregated data on incidence and prevalence, add occupation and risk factors, identify higher-risk populations, and share evidence-based practices for identifying and addressing concussion.

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

5 provisions identified: 4 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.

Stronger national tracking of brain injuries

The CDC would expand how it tracks traumatic brain injuries. It would count both new cases and how many people are living with TBI. It would collect causes, risk factors, and job details when relevant. It would report short- and long-term outcomes and related mental health issues. The CDC would post aggregated data and prevention tips on its website, including, when feasible, for higher-risk groups. Planning would extend through 2030.

Updated legal definition of brain injury

The bill would update what counts as a traumatic brain injury. It would include acquired brain injuries from trauma, lack of oxygen from trauma, infection, toxicity, surgery, and some vascular problems not tied to aging. It would exclude brain problems from birth, congenital conditions, or degenerative diseases. The HHS Secretary would be able to adjust this definition after consulting States and other groups.

More outreach to Tribal and high-risk groups

State grant outreach would need to include Tribal entities. It would also need to consider groups at higher risk for brain injury. These rules would apply to State outreach programs under the grant section. The goal would be better prevention, education, and access to services for these communities.

Study on long-term effects after TBI

The HHS Secretary would run or hire a nonprofit to study long-term effects after traumatic brain injury. The study would review how often long-term symptoms occur and links to conditions like dementia and mental health issues. It would assess current services and list research gaps. A report to Congress would be due within two years of enactment, and if HHS runs the study, it would be posted on the HHS website.

TBI programs authorized through 2031

The bill would extend the authorization for national TBI programs and related State and protection-and-advocacy grants. The new window would be fiscal years 2027 through 2031. It would not set dollar amounts. This would keep these programs eligible for future funding votes.

Sponsors & CoSponsors

Sponsor

Armstrong, Alan [R-OK]

OK • R

Cosponsors

  • Sen. Kim, Andy [D-NJ]

    NJ • D

    Sponsored 9/29/2026

  • Sen. Cornyn, John [R-TX]

    TX • R

    Sponsored 9/29/2026

  • Sen. Cortez Masto, Catherine [D-NV]

    NV • D

    Sponsored 9/29/2026

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

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