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HF 893

A bill for an act relating to area agencies on aging, dementia service specialists, and a dementia services coordinator.

2025-2026 Regular Session

HF 893 creates a statewide dementia coordination structure, including a dementia services coordinator and specialists to improve screening, referrals, training, and dementia-capabl

Referred to Appropriations.
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Bill Summary · HF 893

Summary of HF 893 (Introduced March 7, 2025)

Status: Referred to Appropriations

Purpose: HF 893 seeks to establish a statewide governance and coordination structure for dementia-related activities within the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). The bill would create a dementia services coordinator role and designate dementia service specialists to improve coordination, screening, referrals, and dementia-friendly capacity across the state’s aging network.

Key Provisions

  • Dementia services coordinator

    • Requires HHS to establish and provide for the position of a dementia services coordinator.
    • The coordinator’s central mission is to provide statewide coordination of dementia initiatives and the specialist program, coordinate the state’s Alzheimer’s-related planning, evaluate dementia services, identify trainings, and perform other duties as required.

  • Dementia service specialists (minimum duties)

    • Provide support related to dementia initiatives.
    • Make referrals for dementia-related services.
    • Conduct cognitive screenings.
    • Build dementia-capable area agencies on aging (AAAs).
    • Promote dementia-capable communities.
    • Provide technical assistance as specified in the bill.

  • Coordination and broader state goals

    • The coordinator would oversee statewide dementia service coordination and the specialist program.
    • The coordinator would coordinate the Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias state plan.
    • The coordinator would evaluate state dementia services and identify trainings.
    • Additional duties may be assigned to meet program needs.

  • Relationship to aging network

    • The bill emphasizes building dementia-capable AAAs and communities, indicating alignment with the aging services network.

Affected entities

  • Department of Health and Human Services (HHS)
  • Area Agencies on Aging (AAAs) and their dementia-capable development
  • Dementia service specialists (as a program under HHS)
  • Individuals with dementia and their families, caregivers, and communities
  • Organizations involved in dementia education, screenings, and referrals
  • State Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias plan implementation

Funding and fiscal considerations

  • HF 893 is circulating in the Appropriations committee, signaling potential budget implications (staffing, program operations, trainings, and related activities).
  • The provided text does not include specific dollar amounts, timelines for hiring, or implementation milestones. Final funding levels and administrative rules would be determined during appropriations deliberations.

Implementation timeline and procedural notes

  • Introduced: March 7, 2025
  • Referred to: Appropriations (as of March 14, 2025)
  • No start date or phase-in schedule is specified in the bill text provided; implementation would depend on appropriations and any accompanying administrative rules.

Potential impact

  • Improved statewide coordination of dementia services and specialized staff.
  • More consistent cognitive screening, referrals, and technical assistance across aging networks.
  • Enhanced capacity to implement and monitor the Alzheimer’s and related dementias state plan.
  • Growth in dementia-capable communities and AAAs, with standardized training opportunities.

Notes for readers

  • The bill focuses on organizational structure and duties rather than immediate programmatic mandates. Funding decisions and any required rulemakings will influence how quickly and comprehensively the provisions are implemented.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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