SB 1210
Initials AG/GG Page 1 Health & Human Services
ARIZONA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Fifty-seventh Legislature
First Regular Session
Senate: APPROP DP 9-0-1-0 | 3rd Read 25-4-1-0
SB 1210: appropriation; dementia awareness
Sponsor: Senator Dunn, LD 25
Committee on Health & Human Services
Overview
Appropriates $750,000 from the state General Fund (GF) in fiscal year (FY) 2026 to the
Arizona Department of Health Services (DHS) to distribute to a nonprofit organization to
implement a public education campaign to increase awareness on Alzheimer's disease and
dementia in rural and underserved urban areas in Arizona.
History
DHS is required to advance research in Arizona regarding: 1) the causes, epidemiology and
diagnosis of diseases; 2) the formulation of cures for diseases; and 3) the development of
medially accepted treatment and prevention of diseases, including the discovery and
development of new drugs. DHS may enter into research and development agreements,
royalty agreements, licensing agreements and profit sharing agreements concerning new
products developed or to be developed through DHS-funded research (A.R.S. §§ 36-272 and
36-273).
The FY 2024 General Appropriations Act appropriated $750,000 from the state GF to DHS
for a dementia awareness campaign. The FY 2024 Health Care Budget Bill instructed DHS
to distribute the monies to a nonprofit organization that has expertise in dementia and
provides cares for individuals affected by Alzheimer's and other forms of dementia. The
recipient organization must also have experience in marketing and public awareness
campaigns and host a toll-free 24-hour hotline to provide dementia support and education.
DHS is required to report on the impact of the awareness campaign to the Governor, the
President of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives by June 30, 2025
(JLBC).
Dementia is a general term for loss of memory, language, problem-solving and other thinking
abilities that are severe enough to interfere with daily life. Alzheimer's is the most common
cause of dementia (Alzheimer's Association). Alzheimer's disease is a type of dementia that
affects memory, thinking and behavior (Alzheimer's Association).
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 Arizona.
(Sec. 1)
2. Requires DHS to distribute the monies to a nonprofit organization that does all the
following:
☐ Prop 105 (45 votes) ☐ Prop 108 (40 votes) ☐ Emergency (40 votes) ☐ Fiscal Note SB 1210
Initials AG/GG Page 2 Health & Human Services
a) demonstrates expertise in memory loss, dementia and Alzheimer's disease;
b) operates a 24-hour, 7 days a week toll-free hotline, with interpreter service 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 dementias; and
d) demonstrates experience in marketing and public awareness campaigns. (Sec. 1)
3. Requires DHS to submit a report on the impact of the public awareness campaign to the
Governor, President of the Senate and Speaker of the House of Representatives by
November 1, 2026. (Sec. 1)
4. Requires DHS to submit a copy of the report to the Secretary of State. (Sec. 1)