Every day in North Carolina, people experience sudden changes in memory, mood, behavior, or personality. Too often, these symptoms are treated only as mental‑health issues — while the underlying cause is a brain injury or neurological disease that goes undetected.

This gap in our system cost Officer Brent Simpson his life.

Brent served as a police officer for nearly two decades. In the final years of his life, he told his wife every day, “Something is wrong with my brain.”  Despite multiple MRIs, imaging, extensive bloodwork, inpatient treatment, and evaluations by numerous specialists, no one screened him for brain injury and neuro degeneration. These conditions were only discovered after his death. Brent was diagnosed upon autopsy with Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE).

Brent’s story is not isolated. It reveals a statewide problem — and an opportunity to save lives.

The Brent Bill: Brain Health Screening and Safety Act will ensure that individuals who experience sudden behavioral, personality or cognitive changes receive timely, evidence‑based screening for brain injury and neurological disease, especially those in high‑risk populations:

• Athletes
• Law enforcement
• First responders
• Veterans
• Domestic‑violence survivors
• Abused children

Early detection prevents misdiagnosis and mistreatment. It protects individuals, families, and communities. It reduces crisis‑driven emergency responses. And it honors Brent’s legacy by ensuring no one else falls through the cracks.

We, the undersigned, urge North Carolina lawmakers to support and pass the Brent Bill. North Carolina can lead the nation in brain‑health policy. We can prevent avoidable tragedies. We can save lives.

Please add your name to support the Brent Bill.

You can learn more about the Brent Bill here.