2025 -- S 0481
========
LC001532
========
S T A T E O F R H O D E I S L A N D
IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY
JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2025
____________
A N A C T
RELATING TO HEALTH AND SAFETY -- RHODE ISLAND PROGRAM TO AD DRESS
ALZHEIMER’S DISEASE
Introduced By: Senators Lauria, Valverde, Kallman, Lawson, Tikoian, Murray,
Sosnowski, Felag, DiMario, and Dimitri
Date Introduced: February 26, 2025
Referred To: Senate Health & Human Services
It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:
SECTION 1. Chapter 23-1.7 of the General Laws entitled "Rhode Island Program to 1
Address Alzheimer’s Disease" is hereby amended by adding thereto the following section: 2
23-1.7-7. Education and outreach regarding brain health and dementia. 3
(a) The department of health, in consultation with the advisory council created pursuant to 4
§ 23-1.7-2, shall incorporate information about brain health, dementia risk factors and risk 5
reduction, Alzheimer’s disease, and other dementias into existing public health outreach programs 6
to: 7
(1) Increase public understanding and awareness of: 8
(i) Brain health and dementia risk reduction; 9
(ii) Early warning signs of Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias; 10
(iii) The value of early detection and timely diagnosis; and 11
(iv) The relationship between Alzheimer’s disease, dementia, and other chronic health 12
conditions. 13
(2) Ensure public awareness and outreach programs: 14
(i) Provide clear, uniform guidance in nonclinical terms; and 15
(ii) Prioritize populations at greater risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease and other 16
dementias. 17
(b) The department of health, in consultation with the advisory council created pursuant to 18
LC001532 - Page 2 of 3
§ 23-1.7-2, shall incorporate information about brain health, dementia risk factors and risk 1
reduction, Alzheimer’s disease, and other dementias into existing healthcare provider education 2
and outreach programs to educate providers regarding: 3
(1) The importance of risk reduction, early detection, and timely diagnosis of cognitive 4
impairment and dementia; 5
(2) Validated assessment tools for the detection and diagnosis of cognitive impairment; 6
(3) The value of validated cognitive assessment tools during Medicare annual wellness 7
visits; and 8
(4) Medicare care planning billing codes for individuals with cognitive impairment, 9
provision of effective care planning, and available treatments. 10
SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage. 11
========
LC001532
========
LC001532 - Page 3 of 3
EXPLANATION
BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL
OF
A N A C T
RELATING TO HEALTH AND SAFETY -- RHODE ISLAND PROGRAM TO ADD RESS
ALZHEIMER’S DISEASE
***
This act would require the department of health to incorporate information about dementia 1
risk factors and reduction into public education and healthcare provider education materials. 2
This act would take effect upon passage. 3
========
LC001532
========