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Bill would create Ohio TBI treatment accelerator, request $10 million every two years
Summary
Sponsors of HB 91 told the committee the Traumatic Brain Injury Treatment Acceleration Program would create the Brain Injury Research Foundation (BIRF) as a coordination hub, require matching funds from research institutions and dedicate $10 million biannually to accelerate drug development and clinical testing in Ohio.
Representatives Deters and Odioso presented House Bill 91 to establish a Traumatic Brain Injury Treatment Acceleration Program aimed at speeding clinical research and treatment development for TBIs. Sponsors said the program would dedicate $10,000,000 every two years from the General Revenue Fund to launch the effort and require research institutions to match state grants with federal or institutional funding.
Why it matters: Sponsors emphasized Ohio’s veteran population and the public health burden of TBI — citing figures that include thousands of TBI‑related deaths and hospitalizations in recent years — and argued the state can become a hub for neurotrauma research by coordinating institutions and leveraging matching funds.
Program elements and oversight: The bill would create or empower the Brain Injury Research Foundation (BIRF) as a scientific clearinghouse to coordinate data, analytics and testing between universities, hospitals and private industry. Sponsors said an oversight board, mandatory reviews and audits would provide accountability; they also described a matching‑grant requirement so funds are deployed only when non‑state funds are paired with the award.
Questions from committee members focused on BIRF’s makeup and administrative caps. Ranking Member Piccolantonio asked about BIRF’s leadership and the experts it employs; sponsors said BIRF founder Chad Cole will testify at a later hearing and pledged to provide more details. Representative Miller asked whether the bill sets limits on administrative overhead or reimbursements for board members; sponsors said they would provide follow‑up information to avoid misstatements.
What happens next: Sponsors will bring BIRF representatives and additional witnesses to testify; committee members asked for more detail on oversight structure and how awarded funds will be prioritized and administered.
