A Major Victory for Spinal Cord Injury Research: Roman Reed’s Advocacy Leads to New California Law

After years of advocacy, Roman Reed has achieved an important milestone for spinal cord injury research in California.

On September 15, Governor Gavin Newsom signed California Assembly Bill 611 (AB 611), Voluntary Tax Contribution Funds: Spinal Cord Injury Research, creating a new pathway for Californians to help support spinal cord injury research through voluntary contributions on their state income tax returns.

Governor Newsom even sent Roman a photo of his signature on the bill—something Roman tells us the governor does not normally do.

And there may be another meaningful recognition to come: it is our understanding that the legislation will be known as “Roman’s Law.” While this does not appear to be an official designation at this time, the name was referenced in communication from a legislative aide involved with the bill.

A Long History of Supporting Spinal Cord Injury Research

Longtime followers of the Reeve-Irvine Research Center will remember the original Roman Reed Spinal Cord Injury Research Act, which provided state funding for spinal cord injury research in California from 2001 through 2010.

During those years, the program helped fuel important scientific discoveries, including research involving stem cells and activity-based training that ultimately contributed to the advancement of clinical trials.

When the original program was not renewed, Roman did not give up. For years, he continued advocating for renewed state support for spinal cord injury research.

Now, that persistence has paid off.

A New Way to Support Spinal Cord Injury Research

AB 611 does not directly appropriate state funding for spinal cord injury research. Instead, it creates a permanent mechanism on the California state income tax return allowing individuals to voluntarily contribute $1 or more toward spinal cord injury research.

Funds collected through the program will go to the Regents of the University of California to distribute grants supporting research into treatments for spinal cord injuries.

For the spinal cord injury community, this creates an important new opportunity to support research at a time when continued funding is greatly needed.

Roman’s Persistence Made a Difference

This achievement represents years of determined advocacy by Roman Reed and those who have supported his efforts to keep spinal cord injury research moving forward in California.

And this is where the SCI community can help.

When tax time comes, tell your friends, family, and others in the SCI community. Look for the spinal cord injury research contribution option on your California state tax return, check the box, and give what you can.

When a community comes together, even small contributions can add up. This new opportunity could meaningfully boost spinal cord injury research and help support future discoveries and treatments.

And most importantly, congratulations—and thank you—to Roman Reed for his persistence, his advocacy, and for never giving up.