Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session

Massachusetts Senate Bill S468 Compare Versions

Only one version of the bill is available at this time.

Old	New	Differences
1	1	1 of 1
2	2	SENATE DOCKET, NO. 2319 FILED ON: 1/17/2025
3	3	SENATE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . No. 468
4	4	The Commonwealth of Massachusetts
5	5	_________________
6	6	PRESENTED BY:
7	7	Adam Gomez
8	8	_________________
9	9	To the Honorable Senate and House of Representatives of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts in General
10	10	Court assembled:
11	11	The undersigned legislators and/or citizens respectfully petition for the adoption of the accompanying bill:
12	12	An Act to improve care and prepare for the new era of Alzheimer’s and dementia.
13	13	_______________
14	14	PETITION OF:
15	15	NAME:DISTRICT/ADDRESS :Adam GomezHampdenJason M. LewisFifth MiddlesexPaul W. MarkBerkshire, Hampden, Franklin and
16	16	Hampshire
17	17	2/1/2025John F. KeenanNorfolk and Plymouth2/1/2025James B. EldridgeMiddlesex and Worcester2/11/2025Angelo J. Puppolo, Jr.12th Hampden2/20/2025Jacob R. OliveiraHampden, Hampshire and Worcester2/20/2025Thomas M. Stanley9th Middlesex2/20/2025Sal N. DiDomenicoMiddlesex and Suffolk2/20/2025Paul K. Frost7th Worcester2/25/2025Bruce E. TarrFirst Essex and Middlesex2/27/2025Patricia D. JehlenSecond Middlesex2/27/2025Joanne M. ComerfordHampshire, Franklin and Worcester2/27/2025Brendan P. CrightonThird Essex3/5/2025Michael D. BradySecond Plymouth and Norfolk3/5/2025Michael O. MooreSecond Worcester3/5/2025Patrick M. O'ConnorFirst Plymouth and Norfolk3/5/2025 1 of 16
18	18	SENATE DOCKET, NO. 2319 FILED ON: 1/17/2025
19	19	SENATE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . No. 468
20	20	By Mr. Gomez, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 468) of Adam Gomez, Jason M.
21	21	Lewis, Paul W. Mark, John F. Keenan and other members of the General Court for legislation to
22	22	improve care and prepare for the new era of Alzheimer’s and dementia by developing a public
23	23	awareness campaign on brain health. Elder Affairs.
24	24	The Commonwealth of Massachusetts
25	25	_______________
26	26	In the One Hundred and Ninety-Fourth General Court
27	27	(2025-2026)
28	28	_______________
29	29	An Act to improve care and prepare for the new era of Alzheimer’s and dementia.
30	30	Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court assembled, and by the authority
31	31	of the same, as follows:
32	32	1 SECTION 1. Chapter 111 of the General Laws is hereby amended by inserting after
33	33	2section 244 the following section:
34	34	3 Section 245. Alzheimer’s Disease and Dementia Awareness and Data Collection
35	35	4 1. The Department of Public Health, in partnership with the Executive Office of Aging
36	36	5and Independence, the Massachusetts Advisory Council on Alzheimer’s Disease and All Other
37	37	6Dementias, and any additional community stakeholders as determined by the department, shall
38	38	7develop a public awareness campaign on brain health, Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias,
39	39	8and incorporate the campaign into its existing, relevant public health outreach programs on an
40	40	9ongoing basis. The public awareness campaign shall:
41	41	10 (a) educate health care providers on the importance of early detection and timely
42	42	11diagnosis of cognitive impairment, validated cognitive assessment tools, current and emerging 2 of 16
43	43	12treatment options, the value of a Medicare Annual Wellness visit for cognitive health, and the
44	44	13Medicare and Medicaid care planning billing codes for individuals with cognitive impairment;
45	45	14 (b) increase public understanding and awareness of early warning signs of Alzheimer's
46	46	15disease and other types of dementia, the value of early detection and diagnosis, and how to
47	47	16reduce the risk of cognitive decline, particularly among persons in diverse communities who are
48	48	17at greater risk of developing Alzheimer's disease and other types of dementia; and
49	49	18 (c) inform health care professionals and the general public of dementia care coordination
50	50	19services for those living with Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias and other resources and
51	51	20services available to individuals living with dementia and their families and caregivers.
52	52	21 The department shall strive to provide uniform, consistent guidance on Alzheimer’s and
53	53	22other dementia in nonclinical terms, with an emphasis on cultural relevancy and health literacy,
54	54	23specifically targeting diverse populations who are at higher risk for developing dementia in its
55	55	24public awareness and educational outreach programs.
56	56	25 2. Not later than January 1, 2027, and biannually thereafter, the department shall report
57	57	26to the Joint Committee on Public Health as well as to the Massachusetts Advisory Council on
58	58	27Alzheimer’s Disease and All Other Dementias regarding the department's work on the Healthy
59	59	28Brain Initiative Road Map. As used in this section, "Healthy Brain Initiative Road Map" means
60	60	29the National Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's collaborative approach to fully
61	61	30integrate cognitive health into public health practice and reduce the risk and impact of
62	62	31Alzheimer's disease and other dementias.
63	63	32 3. The Department of Public Health shall include the National Centers for Disease
64	64	33Control and Prevention's Healthy Aging Program’s module on Subjective Cognitive Decline or 3 of 16
65	65	34module on Caregiving in the annual Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS)
66	66	35survey on a rotating annual basis to collect prevalence data on Alzheimer’s and other dementias,
67	67	36track trends over time and analyze data to direct public health programs and resources.
68	68	37 4. The Massachusetts State Health Assessment and any related data reports or tools shall
69	69	38include data on the racial and ethnic disparities for Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias
70	70	39where available, as well as data pertaining to cognitive decline and caregiving collected as part
71	71	40of the annual BRFSS survey. All resulting reports shall provide data in an aggregate and de-
72	72	41identified format.
73	73	42 SECTION 2. Chapter 6A of the General Laws is hereby amended by inserting after
74	74	43section 16FF the following section:
75	75	44 Section 16GG. Massachusetts Director of Dementia Care and Coordination
76	76	45 1. There shall be a position titled Director of Dementia Care and Coordination within the
77	77	46Executive Office of Health and Human Services. The Secretary of Health and Human Services
78	78	47shall hire the director who shall report to the secretary or their designee. The director may call
79	79	48upon appropriate agencies of the state government for assistance as is needed. Duties and
80	80	49responsibilities of the director shall include, but not be limited to, the following:
81	81	50 (a) Coordinate the successful implementation of the Alzheimer’s Disease State Plan.
82	82	51 (b) Coordinate with relevant departments and the Chair of the Massachusetts Advisory
83	83	52Council on Alzheimer’s Disease and All Other Dementias to support the council’s work and
84	84	53annual updates to the Alzheimer’s state plan. 4 of 16
85	85	54 (c) Coordinate with the Department of Public Health on awareness efforts as directed
86	86	55through section 245 of Chapter 111 of the Massachusetts General Laws; Facilitate and support
87	87	56coordination of outreach programs and services between agencies, area agencies on aging, aging
88	88	57services access points and other community organizations for the purpose of fostering public
89	89	58awareness and education regarding Alzheimer's disease and other forms of dementia.
90	90	59 (d) Coordinate with relevant state agencies and community organizations to ensure
91	91	60coordination of services, access to services and a high quality of care for individuals with
92	92	61dementia and their family caregivers to meet the needs of the affected population and prevent
93	93	62duplication of services.
94	94	63 (f) Assess dementia-related training requirements for any professionals required to
95	95	64receive dementia training including healthcare, long term care, first responders and home and
96	96	65community based services professionals on a biannual basis, including hours required, frequency
97	97	66of training required and content of training, to determine whether existing training requirements
98	98	67meet the needs of the dementia community in Massachusetts; the assessment shall also include
99	99	68whether trainings incorporate the latest recommendations from leading national voluntary or
100	100	69governmental health organizations in Alzheimer’s care, support and research to ensure trainings
101	101	70are based on expert opinion and include evidence-based curriculum that result in a high quality
102	102	71of care for people living with dementia. Upon completion of the assessment, provide
103	103	72recommendations to the Department of Public Health, the Executive Office of Aging and
104	104	73Independence, the Massachusetts Advisory Council on Alzheimer’s Disease and All Other
105	105	74Dementias, the Board of Registration in Nursing and the Board of Registration in Medicine and
106	106	75any other appropriate departments or boards for additional training necessary to adequately
107	107	76support the dementia community in Massachusetts. 5 of 16
108	108	77 (g) Work with the Commissioner of the Department of Public Health, the Secretary of the
109	109	78Executive Office of Aging and Independence, the Board of Registration in Nursing, the Board of
110	110	79Registration in Medicine and any other appropriate departments or boards to ensure all
111	111	80professionals required to complete dementia training are in compliance.
112	112	81 (h) Work with the Commissioner of the Department of Public Health to ensure that
113	113	82hospitals are dementia capable and in compliance with Chapter 220 of the Acts of 2018.
114	114	83 (i) Identify and manage grants to assist Massachusetts in becoming dementia-capable.
115	115	84 (j) Ensure collection and reporting of data related to the impact of Alzheimer's disease in
116	116	85the commonwealth; work with the department's Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System
117	117	86Coordinator in identifying available funds to execute appropriate modules for critical data
118	118	87collection and research; coordinate with the Department of Public Health to improve public
119	119	88health outcomes utilizing relevant dementia data.
120	120	89 SECTION 3. Chapter 118E of the general laws is hereby amended by adding the
121	121	90following new section:
122	122	91 Section 83. Dementia Care Coordination Benefit for SCO & One Care Members
123	123	92 As used in this section the following words shall, unless the context clearly requires
124	124	93otherwise, have the following meanings:-
125	125	94 “Dementia Care Coordination”, a proactive care consultation service provided to
126	126	95individuals living with dementia and their caregiver.
127	127	96 (b) To ensure that members of Senior Care Options (SCO) plans and One Care plans
128	128	97receive cost effective, quality dementia care, to lower other health care costs and provide support 6 of 16
129	129	98to caregivers, MassHealth shall require that all Massachusetts SCO plans and One Care plans
130	130	99include Dementia Care Coordination (DCC) services as a benefit to SCO and One Care members
131	131	100that have been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias and their caregivers.
132	132	101 DCC shall be initiated by a referral from the member’s care team. Upon referral, a patient
133	133	102with dementia and their caregiver or family member will receive a call from a trained care
134	134	103consultant, who shall provide care consultation services to the family, resulting in an
135	135	104individualized family care plan. A summary of the individualized family care plan shall be
136	136	105provided to the referring care team for inclusion in the health record.
137	137	106 Individualized care plans may provide guidance on dementia caregiving strategies,
138	138	107including symptom management strategies, communication techniques, legal and financial
139	139	108issues, safety recommendations, and recommendations for appropriate community support
140	140	109services.
141	141	110 (c) In order to meet the requirements of this Section, SCO and One Care plans may
142	142	111contract with community partners, or directly provide DCC services to their members.
143	143	112 SECTION 4. Chapter 6 of the Massachusetts General Laws is hereby amended by
144	144	113inserting the following section after Section 116K:
145	145	114 Section 116L. Municipal police training committee; training program for appropriate
146	146	115interactions with persons living with Alzheimer’s or other dementias.
147	147	116 The municipal police training committee shall identify or develop and implement a
148	148	117dementia training program for law enforcement officers, in consultation with the Executive
149	149	118Office of Aging and Independence, the Alzheimer’s Association Massachusetts Chapter, the 7 of 16
150	150	119Massachusetts Coalition of Police, Massachusetts Chiefs of Police Association, and the
151	151	120Massachusetts Police Association. The committee may also consult with other appropriate
152	152	121organizations and agencies having an interest and expertise in Alzheimer’s and other dementias,
153	153	122or those representing or working with first responders. The program must include instruction on
154	154	123the identification of people with Alzheimer’s and other dementias, risks such as wandering and
155	155	124elder abuse, and the best practices for interacting with them.
156	156	125 All law enforcement officers shall complete at least two (2) hours of initial training
157	157	126within the recruit basic training curriculum. The program shall cover the following:
158	158	127 Dementia and symptoms associated with dementia;
159	159	128 Communication issues, including how to communicate respectfully and effectively with
160	160	129the individual who has dementia in order to determine the most appropriate response and
161	161	130effective communication techniques to enhance collaboration with caregivers;
162	162	131 Techniques for understanding and approaching behavioral symptoms and identifying
163	163	132alternatives to physical restraints;
164	164	133 Identifying and reporting incidents of abuse, neglect, and exploitation to the Executive
165	165	134Office of Aging and Independence Adult Protective Services;
166	166	135 Protocols for contacting caregivers when a person with dementia is found wandering, or
167	167	136during emergency or crisis situations; and
168	168	137 Local caregiving resources that are available for people living with dementia. 8 of 16
169	169	138 All law enforcement officers shall complete at least one (1) hour of biannual in-service
170	170	139education covering the subjects described in subsections (a) through (f). The biannual in-service
171	171	140training shall qualify towards the minimum credit hours required for in-service education.
172	172	141 SECTION 5. Chapter 22C of the Massachusetts General Laws is hereby amended by
173	173	142inserting the following section after Section 20:
174	174	143 Section 20A. State Police training program for appropriate interactions with persons
175	175	144living with Alzheimer’s or other dementias.
176	176	145 The Department of State Police shall identify or develop and implement a dementia
177	177	146training program for state police officers, in consultation with the Executive Office of Aging and
178	178	147Independence, the Alzheimer’s Association Massachusetts Chapter, and the State Police
179	179	148Association of Massachusetts. The department may also consult with other appropriate
180	180	149organizations and agencies having an interest and expertise in Alzheimer’s and other dementias,
181	181	150or those representing or working with first responders. The program must include instruction on
182	182	151the identification of people with Alzheimer’s and other dementias, risks such as wandering and
183	183	152elder abuse, and the best practices for interacting with them.
184	184	153 All state police officers shall complete at least two (2) hours of initial training within the
185	185	154recruit basic training curriculum. The program shall cover the following:
186	186	155 Dementia and symptoms associated with dementia;
187	187	156 Communication issues, including how to communicate respectfully and effectively with
188	188	157the individual who has dementia in order to determine the most appropriate response and
189	189	158effective communication techniques to enhance collaboration with caregivers; 9 of 16
190	190	159 Techniques for understanding and approaching behavioral symptoms and identifying
191	191	160alternatives to physical restraints;
192	192	161 Identifying and reporting incidents of abuse, neglect, and exploitation to the Executive
193	193	162Office of Aging and Independence Adult Protective Services;
194	194	163 Protocols for contacting caregivers when a person with dementia is found wandering, or
195	195	164during emergency or crisis situations; and
196	196	165 Local caregiving resources that are available for people living with dementia.
197	197	166 2. All state police officers shall complete at least one (1) hour of biannual in-service
198	198	167education covering the subjects described in subsections (a) through (f). The biannual in-service
199	199	168training shall qualify towards the minimum credit hours required for in-service education.
200	200	169 SECTION 6. Chapter 6 of the Massachusetts General Laws is hereby amended by
201	201	170inserting the following section after Section 164:
202	202	171 Section 164A. Massachusetts fire training council; training program for appropriate
203	203	172interactions with persons living with Alzheimer’s or other dementias.
204	204	173 The Massachusetts fire training council will identify or develop and implement a
205	205	174dementia training program for firefighters, in consultation with the Massachusetts fire service
206	206	175commission, the Executive Office of Aging and Independence, the Alzheimer's Association
207	207	176Massachusetts Chapter, the Professional Firefighters of Massachusetts and the Massachusetts
208	208	177Fire Chiefs Association. The council may also consult with other appropriate organizations and
209	209	178agencies having an interest and expertise in Alzheimer’s and other dementias, or those
210	210	179representing or working with first responders. The program must include instruction on the 10 of 16
211	211	180identification of people with Alzheimer’s and other dementias, risks such as wandering and elder
212	212	181abuse, and the best practices for interacting with them.
213	213	182 All firefighters shall complete at least two (2) hours of initial training within the recruit
214	214	183basic training curriculum. The program shall cover the following:
215	215	184 Dementia and symptoms associated with dementia;
216	216	185 Communication issues, including how to communicate respectfully and effectively with
217	217	186the individual who has dementia in order to determine the most appropriate response and
218	218	187effective communication techniques to enhance collaboration with caregivers;
219	219	188 Techniques for understanding and approaching behavioral symptoms and identifying
220	220	189alternatives to physical restraints;
221	221	190 Identifying and reporting incidents of abuse, neglect, and exploitation to the Executive
222	222	191Office of Aging and Independence Adult Protective Services;
223	223	192 Protocols for contacting caregivers when a person with dementia is found wandering, or
224	224	193during emergency or crisis situations; and
225	225	194 Local caregiving resources that are available for people living with dementia.
226	226	195 All firefighters shall complete at least one (1) hour of biannual in-service education
227	227	196covering the subjects described in subsections (a) through (f). The biannual in-service training
228	228	197shall qualify towards the minimum credit hours required for in-service education.
229	229	198 SECTION 7. Chapter 111C of the Massachusetts General Laws is hereby amended by
230	230	199inserting the following section after Section 9A: 11 of 16
231	231	200 Section 9B. EMS training program for appropriate interactions with persons living with
232	232	201Alzheimer’s or other dementias.
233	233	202 The Department of Public Health will identify or develop and implement a dementia
234	234	203training program for EMS personnel, in consultation with the Executive Office of Aging and
235	235	204Independence, the Alzheimer's Association Massachusetts Chapter and the Massachusetts
236	236	205Ambulance Association. The department may also consult with other appropriate organizations
237	237	206and agencies having an interest and expertise in Alzheimer’s and other dementias, or those
238	238	207representing or working with first responders. The program must include instruction on the
239	239	208identification of people with Alzheimer’s and other dementias, risks such as wandering and elder
240	240	209abuse, and the best practices for interacting with them.
241	241	210 1. All EMS personnel shall complete at least two (2) hours of initial training within the
242	242	211recruit basic training curriculum. The program shall cover the following:
243	243	212 Dementia and symptoms associated with dementia;
244	244	213 Communication issues, including how to communicate respectfully and effectively with
245	245	214the individual who has dementia in order to determine the most appropriate response and
246	246	215effective communication techniques to enhance collaboration with caregivers;
247	247	216 Techniques for understanding and approaching behavioral symptoms and identify
248	248	217alternatives to physical restraints;
249	249	218 Identifying and reporting incidents of abuse, neglect, and exploitation to the Executive
250	250	219Office of Aging and Independence Adult Protective Services; 12 of 16
251	251	220 Protocols for contacting caregivers when a person with dementia is found wandering, or
252	252	221during emergency or crisis situations; and
253	253	222 Local caregiving resources that are available for people living with dementia.
254	254	223 2. All EMS personnel shall complete at least one (1) hour of biannual in-service
255	255	224education covering the subjects described in subsections (a) through (f). The biannual in-service
256	256	225training shall qualify towards the minimum credit hours required for in-service education.
257	257	226 SECTION 8. Chapter 111 of the General Laws is hereby amended in Section 25N (a) (2)
258	258	227by inserting after the words “obstetrics/gynecology”, the following words:
259	259	228 “, geriatrics, geriatric psychiatry,”
260	260	229 SECTION 9. Chapter 112 of the Massachusetts General Laws is hereby amended in
261	261	230Section 12G ½ by inserting the words “or other dementias” after each occurrence of the words
262	262	231“Alzheimer’s disease".
263	263	232 SECTION 10. Section 8 of Chapter 220 of the Acts of 2018 is hereby amended by
264	264	233striking out the words “not later than October 1, 2021” and inserting in place thereof the
265	265	234following: “not later than July 1, 2027 and every 5 years thereafter”.
266	266	235 Said section of Chapter 220 of the Acts of 2018 is further amended by striking out
267	267	236subsections (i) through (iii) and inserting in place thereof the following:
268	268	237 (i) Complete an operational plan for the recognition and management of patients with
269	269	238dementia or delirium in acute-care settings. Upon completion of the operational plan, the plan
270	270	239shall be submitted to the Department of Public Health for approval. The department shall
271	271	240evaluate the plan and approve or offer amendments to the plan within 90 days of receipt. Once a 13 of 16
272	272	241final plan is approved by the Department of Public Health, the plan shall be implemented by the
273	273	242hospital.
274	274	243 (ii) The operational plan shall include provisions on the following: (a) education and
275	275	244training of clinical and non-clinical staff; (b) providing a dementia and/or delirium appropriate
276	276	245environment; (c) recognition of dementia and/or delirium; (d) patient management and treatment,
277	277	246including how to manage symptoms, treatment protocols and side effect management; (e)
278	278	247transition planning to improve and provide safe admissions, transfers and discharges, including
279	279	248protocols to ensure that patients living with dementia are safe and have a staff member or
280	280	249caregiver present during discharge or transfer; (f) advance care planning information; (g)
281	281	250caregiver communication and coordination, including protocols to ensure that a contact to a
282	282	251caregiver has been attempted upon arrival and prior to discharge if patient agrees; and (h)
283	283	252address additional applicable recommendations made by the Alzheimer’s and related dementias
284	284	253acute care advisory committee established pursuant to chapter 228 of the acts of 2014 and any
285	285	254additional guidance issued by the Massachusetts Health & Hospital Association or the
286	286	255Department of Public Health;
287	287	256 (ii) Each hospital’s operational plan shall be updated at least every five years, with the
288	288	257option to update the plan more frequently as needed;
289	289	258 (iii) A copy of each hospital’s plan shall be provided to the Massachusetts Advisory
290	290	259Council on Alzheimer’s Disease and All Other Dementias upon approval;
291	291	260 (v) An electronic copy of each hospital’s operational plan shall be provided to each
292	292	261employee upon approval and a written copy of the plan shall be provided to any of its employees
293	293	262upon request; and 14 of 16
294	294	263 (vi) Each hospital shall keep a copy of the plan on file and make available for review by
295	295	264the public.
296	296	265 SECTION 11. Chapter 111 of the Massachusetts General Laws is hereby amended by
297	297	266inserting the following section after Section 53H:
298	298	267 Section 53I. Alzheimer’s and Dementia Patient and Caregiver Rights in Acute Care
299	299	268Settings; Safe Discharge for Alzheimer’s and Dementia Patients
300	300	269 The department shall require acute care hospitals to allow a family member or other
301	301	270caregiver for patients with Alzheimer’s or other dementias, or for patients exhibiting symptoms
302	302	271of dementia or cognitive impairment, to remain with the patient at all times that are medically
303	303	272appropriate, including, but not limited to, while in the emergency department and while admitted
304	304	273as an inpatient. Caregivers for patients living with Alzheimer’s or other dementias shall not be
305	305	274required to adhere to restricted hospital visiting hours, unless it has been deemed unsafe for the
306	306	275patient, family member or caregiver.
307	307	276 The department shall require acute care hospitals to create policies and protocols to
308	308	277ensure that a family member, a caregiver, or the personal legal representative responsible for a
309	309	278patient with Alzheimer’s or other dementia is contacted as soon as possible following admission
310	310	279to the emergency department or hospital if the patient presents to the hospital without a family
311	311	280member, a caregiver, or a personal legal representative; provided, however, that the hospital shall
312	312	281only contact a family member, a caregiver, or the personal legal representative if (i) the hospital
313	313	282has received consent from the patient if possible to do so; and (ii) to the extent consistent with
314	314	283federal and state law or regulation, and in the reasonable judgment of the hospital. If the patient
315	315	284is incapacitated or not able to provide consent, a health care provider may share the patient’s 15 of 16
316	316	285information with a family member, a caregiver, or the personal legal representative responsible
317	317	286for a patient with Alzheimer’s or other dementia as long as the health care provider determines,
318	318	287based on professional judgment, that it is in the best interest of the patient.
319	319	288 The department shall require acute care hospitals to create policies and protocols to
320	320	289ensure that a family member, a caregiver, or the personal legal representative responsible for a
321	321	290patient living with Alzheimer’s or other dementia is contacted prior to the patient’s discharge to
322	322	291ensure a safe discharge, including suitable transport from the hospital, and review the discharge
323	323	292plan; provided, however, that the hospital shall only contact a family member, a caregiver, or the
324	324	293personal legal representative if (i) the hospital has received consent from the patient if possible to
325	325	294do so; and (ii) to the extent consistent with federal and state law or regulation, and in the
326	326	295reasonable judgment of the hospital. If the patient is incapacitated or not able to provide consent,
327	327	296a health care provider may contact a family member, a caregiver, or the personal legal
328	328	297representative responsible for the patient with Alzheimer’s or other dementia as long as the
329	329	298health care provider determines, based on professional judgment, that it is in the best interest of
330	330	299the patient. If a family member, caregiver or personal legal representative is not able to be
331	331	300contacted or if the patient declines contact, the patient living with Alzheimer’s or other dementia
332	332	301shall meet with a hospital social worker or other professional who can assess for discharge safety
333	333	302and other supports needed prior to discharge.
334	334	303 Subsections (a) through (c) shall also apply to a patient who presents with symptoms of
335	335	304dementia or cognitive impairment based on the assessment of the physician overseeing their care
336	336	305in the hospital. 16 of 16
337	337	306 Subsections (a) through (d) shall be exempted during a declared public health state of
338	338	307emergency.
339	339	308 The department shall promulgate regulations consistent with the provisions of
340	340	309subsections (a) through (e). The department shall also ensure that subsections (a) through (d)
341	341	310comply with all state and federal privacy requirements, including those imposed by 45 C.F.R. §
342	342	311164.510(b).