Assigned to APPROP FOR COMMITTEE
ARIZONA STATE SENATE
Fifty-Seventh Legislature, First Regular Session
FACT SHEET FOR S.B. 1210
appropriation; dementia awareness
Purpose
Appropriates $750,000 from the state General Fund (state GF) in FY 2026 to the
Department of Health Services (DHS) to implement a public education campaign to increase
awareness of Alzheimer's disease and dementia.
Background
DHS is established to promote and protect the health of residents and provide and
coordinate public health services and programs for Arizona. Responsibilities of DHS include but
are not limited to: 1) promoting the development, maintenance, efficiency and effectiveness of
local health departments or districts; 2) collecting and tabulating all information required in
reference to births; 3) conducting a statewide health education program; 4) coordinating local
programs concerning control of preventable diseases, maternal and child health, nutrition and
dental health; 5) establishing and maintaining laboratories; 6) conducting continual evaluations of
state, local and district public health programs; and 7) licensing and regulating health care
institutions (A.R.S. ยง 36-132).
Dementia is a general term that covers a wide range of specific medical conditions,
including Alzheimer's disease. Disorders grouped under dementia are caused by abnormal brain
changes that can trigger a decline in cognitive ability that may be severe enough to impair daily
life, independent function and affect behavior, feelings and relationships (Alzheimer's
Association).
Alzheimer's disease is a specific type of dementia that affects memory, thinking and
behavior and accounts for 60 to 80 percent of all dementia cases. It is a progressive disease, where
symptoms gradually worsen over several years. In its early stages, memory loss is mild, but with
late-stage Alzheimer's, individuals lose the ability to carry on a conversation and respond to their
environment. On average, a person with Alzheimer's lives 4 to 8 years after diagnosis but can live
as long as 20 years, depending on other factors (Alzheimer's Association).
S.B. 1210 appropriates $750,000 from the state GF in FY 2026 to DHS.
Provisions
1. Appropriates $750,000 from the state GF in FY 2026 to DHS to distribute to a nonprofit
organization to implement a public education campaign to increase awareness of Alzheimer's
disease and dementia in rural and underserved urban areas in the state. FACT SHEET
S.B. 1210
Page 2
2. Requires DHS to distribute the appropriated monies to a nonprofit organization that does all
of the following:
a) demonstrates expertise in memory loss, dementia and Alzheimer's disease;
b) hosts a 24 hours a day, 7 days a week toll-free hotline, with interpreter services if needed,
staffed by master's level consultants to provide education on Alzheimer's signs and
symptoms, decision-making support, dementia crisis assistance, treatment options and
referrals to local community resources;
c) provides care and support for those affected by Alzheimer's and other types of dementia;
and
d) demonstrates experience in marketing and public awareness campaigns.
3. Requires DHS, by November 1, 2026, to submit a report on the impact of the public awareness
campaign to the Governor, President of the Senate, Speaker of the House of Representatives
and provide a copy to the Secretary of State.
4. Becomes effective on the general effective date.
Prepared by Senate Research
January 30, 2025
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