08 LC 33
2237
Senate
Bill 546
By:
Senators Orrock of the 36th, Fort of the 39th and Douglas of the 17th
A
BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
AN ACT
To
amend Chapter 4 of Title 1 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating
to holidays and observances, so as to designate "Alzheimer´s Awareness
Day"; to amend Chapter 6 of Title 49 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated,
relating to services for the aging, so as to provide for minimum
dementia-specific training requirements for employees and independent
contractors who are involved in the delivery of care to persons with
Alzheimer´s disease or Alzheimer´s related dementia; to establish the
State Alzheimer´s Disease Commission; to provide for its membership and
duties; to provide for an annual report; to provide for related matters; to
repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.
BE
IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF GEORGIA:
SECTION
1.
Chapter
4 of Title 1 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to holidays and
observances, is amended by adding a new Code section to read as
follows:
"1-4-17.
The
first Tuesday in March of each year is designated and shall be observed as
'Alzheimer´s Awareness Day.'"
SECTION
2.
Chapter
6 of Title 49 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to services
for the aging, is amended by adding a new Code section to Article 1 to read as
follows:
"49-6-5.l.
(a)
As used in this Code section, 'Alzheimer´s disease' or 'Alzheimer´s
related dementia' means a progressive, degenerative disease or condition that
attacks the brain and results in impaired memory, thinking, and behavior.
(b)
The department, through the Office of Aging Section, shall establish minimum
dementia-specific training requirements for persons who are employed by skilled
nursing facilities, intermediate care facilities, personal care homes, home
health agencies, adult day centers, or hospice programs in this state which are
involved in the delivery of care to persons with Alzheimer´s disease or
Alzheimer´s related dementia or who are independent contractors who provide
direct care to persons with Alzheimer´s disease or Alzheimer´s related
dementia in this state. Such training requirements shall be incorporated into
new employee orientation and ongoing in-service curricula for all such persons
and shall include, at a minimum:
(1)
For employees or independent contractors providing direct care to persons with
Alzheimer´s disease or Alzheimer´s related dementia, an overview of
Alzheimer´s disease and Alzheimer´s related dementia, appropriate
methods of communicating with persons with such disease or dementia, behavior
management, promotion of independence in activities of daily living, and
understanding and dealing with family issues; and
(2)
For employees or independent contractors who do not provide direct care for, but
may have contact with, persons with Alzheimer´s disease or Alzheimer´s
related dementia, an overview of Alzheimer´s disease and Alzheimer´s
related dementia and appropriate methods of communicating with persons with
Alzheimer´s disease or Alzheimer´s related
dementia."
SECTION
3.
Said
chapter is further amended by adding a new article to read as
follows:
"ARTICLE
2A
49-6-30.
As
used in this article, the term 'Alzheimer´s disease' or 'Alzheimer´s
related dementia' means a progressive, degenerative disease or condition that
attacks the brain and results in impaired memory, thinking, and behavior.
49-6-31.
(a)
There is created the State Alzheimer´s Disease Commission. The commission
shall be composed of 16 members, as follows:
(1)
The chairperson of the House Committee on Health and Human
Services;
(2)
The chairperson of the Senate Health and Human Services Committee;
(3)
The director of the Division of Mental Health, Developmental Disabilities, and
Addictive Diseases of the department or his or her designee;
(4)
The director of the Office of Aging Section of the department or his or her
designee;
(5)
The commissioner of community health or his or her designee;
(6)
The director of the Division of Medical Assistance of the Department of
Community Health or his or her designee;
(7)
The Commissioner of Labor or his or her designee; and
(8)
The following members appointed by the Governor:
(A)
One consumer member with a family member with Alzheimer´s
disease;
(B)
One caregiver of a person with Alzheimer´s disease;
(C)
One member representing skilled nursing facilities;
(D)
One member representing personal care homes;
(E)
One member representing adult day centers;
(F)
One member representing the health care provider community;
(G)
One member representing the Alzheimer´s disease research
community;
(H)
One member representing an Alzheimer´s advocacy organization;
and
(I)
One member representing the law enforcement community.
(b)
Each member´s term shall be for two years and until his or her successor is
appointed and qualified. The members of the commission shall be eligible to
succeed themselves. The commission shall elect its own chairperson and such
other officers as it deems necessary. The commission may adopt rules and
procedures. The commission shall meet upon the call of the
chairperson.
(c)
A member of the commission is not entitled to compensation or expenses, except
that any member of the commission who is a member of the General Assembly shall
receive the same expenses and allowances for each day of service on the
commission as is authorized for members of interim legislative study committees
of the General Assembly.
(d)
The Office of Aging Section of the department shall provide necessary staffing
and administrative support for the commission.
49-6-32.
(a)
The State Alzheimer´s Disease Commission is authorized and directed
to:
(1)
Assess the current and future impact of Alzheimer´s disease and
Alzheimer´s related dementia on the residents of this state;
(2)
Examine the existing industries, services, and resources addressing the needs of
persons in this state with Alzheimer´s disease or Alzheimer´s related
dementia and their families and care givers;
(3)
Examine trends in state Alzheimer´s disease population and needs, including
the changing population with Alzheimer´s related dementia, including but
not limited to:
(A)
The state´s role in long-term care, family caregiver support, and
assistance to persons with early stage and early onset of Alzheimer´s
disease; and
(B)
State policy regarding persons with Alzheimer´s disease;
(4)
Develop a strategy to mobilize a state response to the public health crisis of
Alzheimer´s disease and Alzheimer´s related dementia;
(5)
Monitor state and federal policy and legislation that may affect the areas of
Alzheimer´s disease and Alzheimer´s related dementia; and
(6)
Recommend assistance, services, and policy changes that will further the goals
of the commission.
(b)
The commission shall submit a report of its findings and recommendations under
this article to the Governor, the President of the Senate, and the Speaker of
the House of Representatives not later than October 1 of each
year."
SECTION
4.
All
laws and parts of laws in conflict with this Act are repealed.