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2024 Regular Session
SENATE BILL NO. 46
BY SENATORS MCMATH AND CL OUD
HEALTH DEPARTMENT. Creates the Alzheimer's and Related Dementias Advisory
Council within the Louisiana Department of Health. (gov sig)
1 AN ACT
2 To enact R.S. 36:259(B)(20) and R.S. 40:2018.8, relative to the Alzheimer's and Related
3 Dementias Advisory Council; to create the Alzheimer's and Related Dementias
4 Advisory Council; to provide for composition of the council; to provide for duties
5 of the council; to provide for effectiveness; and to provide for related matters.
6 Be it enacted by the Legislature of Louisiana:
7 Section 1. R.S. 36:259(B)(20) is hereby enacted to read as follows:
8 §259. Transfer of agencies and functions to Louisiana Department of Health
9 * * *
10 B. The following agencies are placed within the Louisiana Department of
11 Health and shall exercise and perform their powers, duties, functions, and
12 responsibilities as otherwise provided by law:
13 * * *
14 (20) Alzheimer's and Related Dementias Advisory Council (R.S.
15 40:2018.8).
16 * * *
17 Section 2. R.S. 40:2018.8 is hereby enacted to read as follows:
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1 §2018.8. Alzheimer's and Related Dementias Advisory Council; composition;
2 purpose
3 A. There is hereby established within the Louisiana Department of
4 Health, the Louisiana Alzheimer's and Related Dementias Advisory Council,
5 referred to in this Section as the "council".
6 B. The council shall be governed by the following twenty-two members:
7 (1) A person with Alzheimer's disease or related dementia appointed by
8 the governor. If the governor is unable to identify a person with Alzheimer's
9 disease or related dementia, the governor shall appoint a second caregiver of a
10 person with Alzheimer's disease or related dementia.
11 (2) A caregiver of a person with Alzheimer's disease or related dementia
12 appointed by the governor.
13 (3) A representative of the nursing facility industry appointed by the
14 governor.
15 (4) A representative of the assisted living industry appointed by the
16 governor.
17 (5) A representative of the adult day services industry appointed by the
18 governor.
19 (6) A physician specializing in neurology or geriatic care appointed by
20 the governor.
21 (7) A representative from the rural health community appointed by the
22 governor.
23 (8) A representative from an organization representing senior citizens
24 appointed by the governor.
25 (9) A representative of the governor's office of elderly affairs Louisiana
26 Ombudsman Program appointed by the governor.
27 (10) The executive director of the Alzheimer's Association, Louisiana
28 Chapter or his designee.
29 (11) The assistant secretary of the office of behavioral health or his
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1 designee.
2 (12) The assistant secretary of the office of aging and adult services or
3 his designee.
4 (13) The assistant secretary of the office of public health or his designee.
5 (14) The assistant secretary of the office of citizens with developmental
6 disabilities or his designee.
7 (15) The Medicaid executive director or his designee.
8 (16) The executive director of the governor's office of elderly affairs or
9 his designee.
10 (17) The secretary of the Louisiana Department of Veterans Affairs or
11 his designee.
12 (18) The executive director of the Louisiana Commission on Law
13 Enforcement or his designee.
14 (19) The executive director of the Louisiana Workforce Commission or
15 his designee.
16 (20) A representative from the home health industry who has experience
17 with dementia.
18 (21) Two representatives from academic research institutions in
19 Louisiana that conduct dementia disease research appointed by the governor.
20 C. Members of the council shall serve four-year terms, concurrent with
21 the term of the governor. Members are eligible for reappointment. Any designee
22 shall serve at the pleasure of the designating authority.
23 D. Council members shall not receive compensation or a per diem for
24 their services or attendance at council meetings, except for those travel-related
25 expenses already provided for by their agency.
26 E. The chairman shall be elected by the council for a term to be
27 determined by the council. No member shall serve more than two consecutive
28 terms as chairman.
29 F. The council may establish subcommittees and appoint persons outside
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1 of the council to these bodies as it considers necessary and appropriate to carry
2 out its duties.
3 G. The council shall hold its initial meeting no later than November 1,
4 2024. The council shall meet at least quarterly each calendar year and at any
5 other times as it considers necessary.
6 H. The Louisiana Department of Health shall provide support for the
7 council, including staff, facilities, and resources to facilitate remote
8 participation in meetings to the extent authorized by law.
9 I. The council shall be responsible for the following:
10 (1) Conducting assessments of Alzheimer's and other forms of dementia
11 in Louisiana, including:
12 (a) Trends in the state's Alzheimer's population and needs, including the
13 changing population with dementia.
14 (b) Existing policies regarding dementia.
15 (c) Program utilization among people living with dementia.
16 (2) Developing and leading implementation of a five-year statewide plan
17 to address Alzheimer's and related dementias.
18 (a) The plan shall address gaps identified in the assessment and topics,
19 including but not limited to the following:
20 (i) Access to care, support, and treatment.
21 (ii) Quality of care for people living with dementia.
22 (iii) Risk reduction, early detection, and diagnosis.
23 (iv) Coordinated statewide response to Alzheimer's.
24 (b) The council shall submit the five-year statewide plan to the governor
25 and legislature no later than November 1, 2025, and every five years thereafter.
26 (c) The council shall submit an annual written report of the progress of
27 the plan to the governor's office and legislature no later than November first of
28 each year.
29 Section 3. This Act shall become effective upon signature by the governor or, if not
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1 signed by the governor, upon expiration of the time for bills to become law without signature
2 by the governor, as provided by Article III, Section 18 of the Constitution of Louisiana. If
3 vetoed by the governor and subsequently approved by the legislature, this Act shall become
4 effective on the day following such approval.
The original instrument and the following digest, which constitutes no part
of the legislative instrument, were prepared by Amanda Trapp.
DIGEST
SB 46 Engrossed 2024 Regular Session McMath
Proposed law establishes the Louisiana Alzheimer's and Related Dementias Advisory
Council within the Louisiana Department of Health.
Proposed law provides for a 22 member advisory council, terms of membership,
reappointment, and criteria for reimbursement.
Proposed law requires the council to conduct assessments of Alzheimer's and other forms
of dementia in Louisiana and to develop and lead implementation of a five-year statewide
plan to address Alzheimer's and related dementias.
Proposed law provides that the council shall hold its first meeting no later than Nov. 1, 2024,
and quarterly thereafter.
Proposed law requires the council to submit the five-year statewide plan to the governor and
legislature no later than Nov. 1, 2025, and every five years thereafter.
Proposed law further requires the council to submit an annual written report of the progress
of the plan to the governor's office and legislature no later than Nov. 1 of each year.
Effective upon signature of the governor or lapse of time for gubernatorial action.
(Adds R.S. 36:259(B)(20) and R.S. 40:2018.8)
Summary of Amendments Adopted by Senate
Committee Amendments Proposed by Senate Committee on Health and Welfare to
the original bill
1. Makes changes to the advisory council membership.
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