HLS 19RS-710 ORIGINAL
2019 Regular Session
HOUSE BILL NO. 296
BY REPRESENTATIVE HOFFMANN
Prefiled pursuant to Article III, Section 2(A)(4)(b)(i) of the Constitution of Louisiana.
LAW ENFORCE/OFFICERS: Provides relative to training for law enforcement officers
and first responders with regard to Alzheimer's and other dementia-related conditions
1 AN ACT
2To amend and reenact R.S. 40:2405.8(G) and to enact R.S. 40:1133.1(D) and 2405.8(H),
3 relative to peace officer training; to provide for emergency medical personnel
4 training; to create a dementia training program; to require the reporting of neglect
5 and abuse; and to provide for related matters.
6Be it enacted by the Legislature of Louisiana:
7 Section 1. R.S. 40:2405.8(G) is hereby amended and reenacted and R.S.
840:1133.1(D) and 40:2405.8(H) are hereby enacted to read as follows:
9 §1133.1. Emergency medical personnel training; licensure
10 * * *
11 D. The bureau shall create a dementia training program in cooperation with
12 the Department of Health. Each emergency medical personnel shall complete the
13 dementia training program. This training shall include instructions on identifying
14 and interacting with people with Alzheimer's or other dementia, best practices on
15 emergency medical care for them, and identifying signs of elder abuse as part of the
16 basic training and continuing education.
17 (1) The initial training and continuing education classes shall cover all of the
18 following:
19 (a) Dementia, psychiatric, and behavioral symptoms, and common medical
20 emergencies experienced by people living with dementia.
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HB NO. 296
1 (b) Communication issues, including how to communicate respectfully and
2 effectively with the individual who has dementia in order to determine the most
3 appropriate response and effective communication techniques to enhance
4 collaboration with caregivers.
5 (c) How to address behavioral symptoms during the administration of
6 emergency medical treatment.
7 (d) Identifying and reporting incidents of abuse, neglect, and exploitation.
8 (e) Protocols for contacting caregivers when a person with dementia is found
9 wandering, or during emergency or crisis situations.
10 (f) Local caregiving resources that are available for people living with
11 dementia.
12 (2) First responders shall complete the initial dementia training within six
13 months from their hiring date.
14 (3) The bureau shall ensure that the dementia training program remains up
15 to date with current law practices.
16 (4) The bureau shall develop a process for reporting neglect, criminal abuse,
17 sexual abuse, physical abuse and financial exploitation to law enforcement agencies.
18 * * *
19 §2405.8. Additional peace officer training requirements
20 * * *
21 G. The council shall create a dementia training program in cooperation with
22 the Department of Health. Each peace officer shall complete the dementia training
23 program. The training shall include instruction on the identification of people with
24 Alzheimer's and other dementia, risks such as wandering and elder abuse, and the
25 best practices for interacting with them.
26 (1) The initial training and continuing education classes shall cover all of the
27 following:
28 (a) Dementia, psychiatric and behavioral symptoms.
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CODING: Words in struck through type are deletions from existing law; words underscored
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HB NO. 296
1 (b) Communication issues, including how to communicate respectfully and
2 effectively with the individual who has dementia in order to determine the most
3 appropriate response and effective communication techniques to enhance
4 collaboration with caregivers.
5 (c) Techniques for understanding and approaching behavioral symptoms and
6 identifying alternatives to physical restraints.
7 (d) Identifying and reporting incidents of abuse, neglect, and exploitation to
8 the appropriate law enforcement agency.
9 (e) Protocols for contacting caregivers when a person with dementia is found
10 wandering, or during an emergency or crisis situations.
11 (f) Local caregiving resources that are available for people living with
12 dementia.
13 (2) Peace officers shall complete the initial dementia training within six
14 months from their hiring date.
15 (3) The council shall ensure that the dementia training program remains up
16 to date with current law practices and provisions.
17 (4) The council shall develop a process for reporting neglect, criminal abuse,
18 sexual abuse, physical abuse, and financial exploitation to law enforcement agencies.
19 H.(1) The council shall promulgate rules and regulations in accordance with
20 the Administrative Procedure Act, subject to the oversight of the House Committee
21 on the Administration of Criminal Justice and the Senate Committee on Judiciary B,
22 for the implementation of a homicide investigator training program no later than July
23 1, 2016.
24 * * *
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HB NO. 296
DIGEST
The digest printed below was prepared by House Legislative Services. It constitutes no part
of the legislative instrument. The keyword, one-liner, abstract, and digest do not constitute
part of the law or proof or indicia of legislative intent. [R.S. 1:13(B) and 24:177(E)]
HB 296 Original 2019 Regular Session Hoffmann
Abstract: Provides for the training of peace officers and first responders with respect to
interacting with Alzheimer's and dementia patients.
Proposed law requires the bureau of emergency medical services and the Council on Peace
Officer Standards and Training to create a dementia training program in cooperation with
the Department of Health. Provides for the creation of an initial training program and
updates to the continuing education program.
Proposed law provides for instructions on how to identify and interact with people who have
been diagnosed with Alzheimer's or dementia.
Proposed law requires newly hired emergency medical service professionals to complete the
initial training program within six months and requires all emergency medical service
professionals to report any and all abuse or neglect.
(Amends R.S. 40:2405.8(G); Adds R.S. 40:1133.1(D) and 2405.8(H))
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CODING: Words in struck through type are deletions from existing law; words underscored
are additions.