AB 873

This bill requires the Department of Health Services to establish a program to

award grants to persons in this state for research into spinal cord injuries. The

grants must support research into new and innovative treatments and rehabilitative

efforts for the functional improvement of people with spinal cord injuries. Research

topics may include pharmaceutical, medical device, brain stimulus, and

rehabilitative approaches and techniques. DHS must make annual reports to the

legislature about the grants. The bill also allows DHS to hold symposia every two

years for grant recipients to present their research findings. The bill appropriates

general purpose revenues not exceeding $3,000,000 every fiscal biennium for the

grants and symposia.

The bill also requires DHS to appoint a Spinal Cord Injury Council with one

member representing the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public

Health, one member representing the Medical College of Wisconsin, and the

following members: 1) a person with a spinal cord injury; 2) a family member of a

person with a spinal cord injury; 3) a veteran with a spinal cord injury; 4) a physician

specializing in the treatment of spinal cord injuries; 5) a neurosurgery researcher;

and 6) a researcher employed by the federal Veterans Health Administration of the

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. If DHS is unable to appoint any of the foregoing

members, the bill allows DHS to appoint, in lieu of that member, a member

representing the general public. Members of the council have two-year terms. The

bill requires the council to develop criteria for DHS to evaluate and award grants,

review and make recommendations on grant applications, and perform other duties

specified by DHS. Council members must make written disclosures of financial

interests in organizations that the council recommends for grants.