RCW 74.31.060

(1) The traumatic brain injury account is created in the state treasury. The fee imposed under RCW 46.63.110(7)(c) must be deposited into the account. Except for the 2025-2027 fiscal biennium, when the treasurer shall transfer $1,111,000 to the general fund—state, moneys in the account may be spent only after appropriation, and may be used only to support the activities in the statewide traumatic brain injury comprehensive plan, to provide a public awareness campaign and services relating to traumatic brain injury under RCW 74.31.040 and 74.31.050, for information and referral services, and for costs of required department staff who are providing support for the council under RCW 74.31.020 and 74.31.030. Additionally, at least 30 percent of the annual expenditures from the account must be for in-person support groups and community integration activities that promote social connections between individuals impacted by traumatic brain injury. The secretary of the department of social and health services shall administer the funds in alignment with the priorities outlined in this section and ensure compliance with all allocation requirements. The department must make every effort to disburse the incremental revenue that is the result of the fee increased under RCW 46.63.110(7)(c) in a diverse manner to include rural areas of the state.

(2) The department shall proactively seek, apply for, and secure federal funding opportunities, including but not limited to grants available through the administration for community living and other federal programs. These efforts must be conducted in coordination with the council and in alignment with the council's mission and priorities. Federal funds obtained pursuant to this subsection must supplement the fee amounts collected pursuant to RCW 46.63.110(7)(c) and must be deposited into the traumatic brain injury account. The department shall ensure that any federal funds received enhance, rather than supplant, existing state funding dedicated to in-person support groups, community integration activities, and peer-to-peer recovery initiatives.

(3) A minimum of 30 percent of the annual fee revenue collected under RCW 46.63.110(7)(c) must be used exclusively for:

(a) Establishing and maintaining peer led and community-based in-person support groups for individuals with a traumatic brain injury and their families;

(b) Developing structured skills-building programs designed to promote social integration and functional recovery for individuals of all ages, including pediatric-focused initiatives;

(c) Supporting initiatives that provide direct peer-to-peer mentoring and navigation assistance for newly injured individuals and their families, including hospital-to-community transition support; and

(d) Ensuring equitable access to support groups and community-based programs across urban and rural regions.

Reviser's note: This section was amended by 2025 c 364 s 5 and by 2025 c 424 s 981, each without reference to the other. Both amendments are incorporated in the publication of this section under RCW 1.12.025(2). For rule of construction, see RCW 1.12.025(1).

Effective date—2025 c 424: See note following RCW 9.46.100.

Finding—2025 c 364: See note following RCW 46.63.110.

Effective date—2010 1st sp.s. c 37: See note following RCW 13.06.050.

Short title—2007 c 356: See note following RCW 74.31.005.