“Something is wrong with my brain.”

Officer Brent Simpson served as a Police Officer for nearly two decades. He was known for his generosity, his humor, his work ethic and his unwavering dedication to his community. In early 2023, everything changed. Brent began experiencing sudden, profound shifts in memory, sleep, mood, and behavior. He told his wife, Gina, every day: “Something is wrong with my brain.”

He sought help. He followed medical advice. He underwent multiple MRIs, imaging, blood tests, months of inpatient treatment and evaluations by nearly every type of specialist. Yet no one screened him for brain injury. This condition was only discovered after his death. Brent is the first publicly known law enforcement officer diagnosed with Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE). His story reveals a critical gap in our system — one this bill is designed to close.

Brent’s legacy will save lives. His story will protect others. His name will change North Carolina.

A Hidden Crisis

Sudden behavioral change is often treated as a mental health issue — but many times, the root cause is neurological due to a physical injury to the brain.

The Data Is Clear

• Up to 75% of domestic violence survivors have sustained a brain injury.

• 20% of high school athletes in contact sports sustain a concussion annually.

• Over 450,000 U.S. service members have been diagnosed with traumatic brain injury (TBI) since 2000.

• 40–60% of incarcerated individuals have a history of TBI.

• Law enforcement and first responders experience repeated head impacts during training and duty.

The Consequences of Missed Diagnosis

When brain injuries go undetected, individuals may experience:

• Sleep disruption

• Impaired judgment

• Memory loss

• Emotional dysregulation

• Cognitive decline

• Behavioral instability

• Suicidal ideation

These symptoms are often misdiagnosed as psychiatric disorders — leading to ineffective treatment, worsening symptoms, and preventable crises.

Brain Health Screening & Safety Act

The Brent Bill creates a tiered, medically responsible screening framework for individuals who present with sudden behavioral or cognitive changes.

Tier 1: Screening with low cost, validated tools.

Tier 2: Clinical Evaluation when Tier 1 indicates risk including Neurology, Neuropsychology, Physiatry and Behavioral health integration.

Tier 3: Diagnostics when medically necessary

Pilot Programs implemented in law enforcement agencies, veterans’ clinics, domestic violence service centers, school athletic programs and treatment centers. 

Training for medical providers, first responders, DV advocates and school personnel.

WHO THIS BILL HELPS

• Law Enforcement & First Responders: High exposure to head impacts, blast forces, and trauma.

• Veterans & Military Families: Hundreds of thousands affected by TBI and blast exposure.

• Domestic Violence Survivors: Up to 75% have sustained brain injuries.

• Abused Children: Head trauma is common and often undetected.

• Athletes: Youth, collegiate, and professional athletes face repeated impacts.

• Individuals in the Criminal Justice System: High rates of undiagnosed TBI and cognitive impairment.

• Families & Communities: Early detection reduces crises and improves safety.

Early Detection Prevents Crises

Untreated brain injury can contribute to impaired impulse control and behavioral dysregulation. The Brent Bill strengthens public safety by ensuring that sudden behavioral changes are evaluated for brain trauma and neurological causes that might otherwise go undetected. This reduces behavioral emergencies, crisis‑driven law enforcement encounters and emergency room utilization. It supports law enforcement, first responders, families and communities.

FAQ

1. Does this bill mandate imaging? No. Imaging is only used when medically necessary.

2. Does this stigmatize people with brain injuries? No. The bill focuses on early detection and support, not labels or predictions.

3. Does this increase insurance costs? No. Early detection reduces long term costs.

4. Who pays for screening? Insurance and Medicaid cover medically necessary care.

5. Is this a mental health bill or a public safety bill? Both. It strengthens public safety through medical accuracy and early intervention.

6. Why is this needed? Because brain injuries are often misdiagnosed as mental illness — with devastating consequences.

7. This will be too expensive. The bill uses a tiered model that prevents unnecessary imaging. Tier 1 screenings cost very little. Tier 2 and Tier 3 occur only when clinically indicated. Early detection reduces ER visits, hospitalizations, and crisis driven law enforcement encounters.

8. This will overwhelm neurologists. The bill includes pilot programs and training to build capacity. Most Tier 1 screens will not require neurology referral. Tele neurology can be integrated into pilot sites.

9. This medicalizes behavioral issues. The bill does not replace psychiatric care — it complements it. It ensures brain trauma is ruled out before psychiatric labels are applied.

10. This will increase insurance costs. Insurers already pay for crisis care, ER visits, and psychiatric hospitalization. Early detection reduces long term cost. The bill requires medical necessity for advanced diagnostics.