2019 -- H 5178

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LC000452

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2019

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A N   A C T

RELATING TO HEALTH AND SAFETY -- ESTABLISHING A PROGRAM WITHIN THE

DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH TO ADDRESS ALZHEIMER'S DISEASE

     Introduced By: Representatives Shekarchi, Noret, Ackerman, McNamara, and Jackson

     Date Introduced: January 24, 2019

     Referred To: House Health, Education & Welfare

     It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

     SECTION 1. Title 23 of the General Laws entitled "HEALTH AND SAFETY" is hereby

amended by adding thereto the following chapter:

CHAPTER 1.7

THE RHODE ISLAND PROGRAM TO ADDRESS ALZHEIMER'S DISEASE

     23-1.7-1. Purpose.

     (a) In view of the substantial negative impact Alzheimer's disease has on tens of

thousands of Rhode Island residents, the subsequent loss of employment and longevity, and the

consequential economic loss, there is hereby established a Rhode Island program to address

Alzheimer's disease.

     (b) The purpose of the program shall include, but not be limited to, the following:

     (1) Accelerating the development of treatments that would prevent, halt or reverse the

course of Alzheimer's disease;

     (2) Coordinating the health care and treatment of individuals with Alzheimer's disease;

     (3) Ensuring the inclusion of ethnic and racial populations who have a higher risk for

Alzheimer's disease or are less likely to receive care in clinical, research and service efforts, with

the goal of decreasing health disparities in the diagnosis and treatment of Alzheimer's disease;

     (4) Coordinating with Federal agencies and programs to integrate resources and

information in the treatment and prevention of Alzheimer's disease;

     (5) Providing information and coordination of Alzheimer's research and services across

state agencies and departments; and

     (6) Implement a strategy to increase the diagnostic rate for Alzheimer's disease.

     23-1.7-2. Duties -- Director of the department of health.

     The director of the department of health shall develop and carry out an assessment of all

state programs that address Alzheimer's disease and shall maintain and annually update the Rhode

Island state plan for Alzheimer's disease and related disorders, and promulgate rules and

regulations to implement the purpose of this chapter.

     23-1.7-3. Creation of advisory council.

     (a) There is hereby established a council to be called the "Advisory Council on

Alzheimer's Disease Research and Treatment." The advisory council shall consist of thirteen (13)

members to be composed as follows: the lieutenant governor, or designee; the director of the

department of health, or designee; the director of the division of elderly affairs, or designee; the

chairperson of the long-term care coordinating council; one member appointed by the speaker of

the house; one member appointed by the president of the senate; and seven (7) members

appointed by the governor. The members appointed by the governor shall include one member

who is an Alzheimer's disease patient advocate; one member who is an Alzheimer's disease

caregiver; one member who is a health care provider; one member who is a researcher with

Alzheimer's-related expertise in basic, translational, clinical or drug development science; one

member who is a representative from an Alzheimer's disease organization that funds research and

has demonstrated experience in care and patient services; one member from an Alzheimer's

advocacy organization that provides services to families and professionals, including information

and referrals, support groups, care consultation, education and safety services; and one member

who is a representative of a health care insurer. Advisory council members shall select their own

chairperson. Seven (7) members shall constitute a quorum.

     (b) The member appointed by the speaker of the house, the member appointed by the

president of the senate, and three (3) members appointed by the governor shall be initially

appointed for a term to expire July 1, 2020, and four (4) members to be appointed by the governor

shall be initially appointed for a term to expire July 1, 2021. After the initial term, the appointed

members shall serve two (2) year terms, until their successor is appointed.

     23-1.7-4. Advisory council responsibility.

     (a) The advisory council shall meet at least quarterly and shall advise the governor,

speaker of the house and president of the senate on developments and advances on the diagnosis,

treatment and prevention of Alzheimer's disease.

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     (b) In coordination with the department of health, the advisory council shall determine

the number of residents diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease to ascertain the number of residents

diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer's disease, regardless of age.

     (c) The advisory council shall identify available resources and services needed for the

treatment and care of residents diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease.

     (d) Annually, not later than March 1, the advisory council shall provide a report to the

director of the department of health with a copy to the governor, the speaker of the house and the

president of the senate which shall include:

     (1) Information and recommendations on Alzheimer's disease policy;

     (2) An evaluation of all state-funded efforts in Alzheimer's disease research, clinical care,

institutional, home-based and community-based programs; and

     (3) Recommended amendments, updates and changes to the state plan for Alzheimer's

disease and related disorders.

     23-1.7-5. Assessment protocol.

     (a) The director of the department of health shall establish and publish an Alzheimer's

disease assessment protocol specifically focused on recognizing the signs and symptoms of

cognitive impairments, including, but not limited to, Alzheimer's disease and appropriate resource

information for effective medical screening, investigation and service planning.

     (b) The director of the department of health shall make available upon request a copy of

the assessment protocol to protective services caseworkers, health care professionals and

members of the public.

     (c) Protective services caseworkers assigned to or employed by the department of elderly

affairs shall be familiar with the information contained in the assessment protocol.

     23-1.7-6. Medical professional training.

     (a) All physicians licensed pursuant to chapter 37 of title 5, and nurses licensed pursuant

to chapter 34 of title 5, shall, no later than October 1, 2021, complete a one-time course of

training consisting of a minimum of one hour of instruction on the diagnosis, treatment and care

of patients with cognitive impairments including, but not limited to, Alzheimer's disease and

dementia.

     (b) The department of health shall promulgate rules to implement the training

requirement of subsection (a) of this section.

     23-1.7-7. Health care facility plan.

     (a) Every health care facility as defined in § 23-7-2 shall, not later than October 1, 2021,

complete and implement an operational plan for the recognition and management of patients with

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Alzheimer's disease or dementia.

     (b) The department of health shall promulgate rules and regulations to implement the

operational plan requirements of subsection (a) of this section.

     SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.

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EXPLANATION

BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

OF

A N   A C T

RELATING TO HEALTH AND SAFETY -- ESTABLISHING A PROGRAM WITHIN THE

DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH TO ADDRESS ALZHEIMER'S DISEASE

***

     This act would establish the Rhode Island program to address Alzheimer's disease. It

would also create a thirteen (13) member advisory council. This act would also establish a

training requirement for medical professionals.

     This act would take effect upon passage.

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