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Bill

HSB 284

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

2025-2026 Regular Session

Creates a statewide dementia services coordinator in HHS and dementia service specialists to boost referrals, screenings, and support for dementia-capable AAAs and families.

Committee report approving bill, renumbered as HF 893.
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Bill Summary · HSB 284

Summary of Bill: HSB 284 (Renumbered as HF 893)

Overview

  • Bill: HSB 284, introduced March 4, 2025; status: committee report approving bill, renumbered as HF 893.
  • Topic: area agencies on aging (AAAs), dementia service specialists, and a statewide dementia services coordinator.
  • Purpose: to establish a dedicated dementia services coordinator within the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and to authorize, support, and coordinate dementia-related activities through dementia service specialists and AAAs.

Purpose and Intent

  • Create statewide coordination of dementia initiatives and specialists to improve services for people with dementia and their families.
  • Strengthen alignment with the state plan for Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias.
  • Build capacity of dementia-capable AAAs and promote dementia-friendly communities across the state.
  • Establish formal roles and responsibilities to ensure consistent referrals, screenings, and technical support.

Key Provisions

Dementia Services Coordinator

  • Requires HHS to provide for the position of a dementia services coordinator.
  • Duties (coordinator):
    • Coordinate dementia services throughout the state.
    • Coordinate the specialist program.
    • Coordinate the Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias state plan.
    • Evaluate state dementia services.
    • Identify trainings and professional development opportunities.
    • Perform other duties as may be required to advance dementia-related initiatives.

Dementia Service Specialists

  • Duties (minimum, as detailed in the bill):
    • Provide support to dementia-related programs and professionals.
    • Provide referrals to appropriate services.
    • Conduct cognitive screenings.
    • Assist in building dementia-capable AAAs.
    • Promote dementia-capable communities.
    • Provide technical assistance as needed.

Affected Entities and Impacts

  • Department of Health and Human Services (HHS): Responsible for establishing the coordinator position and overseeing the statewide dementia program.
  • Area Agencies on Aging (AAAs): Beneficiaries of increased technical support and capacity-building to become dementia-capable; expected to implement best practices and participate in statewide coordination.
  • Dementia Service Specialists: Created or designated role to deliver direct services, screenings, referrals, and support at the local level.
  • Dementia Services Coordinator: Central coordinating role ensuring consistency across the state, alignment with the state plan, and evaluation of outcomes.
  • Individuals with dementia and families: Potentially improved access to coordinated services, earlier detection through screenings, and streamlined referrals.

Procedural History and Timeline

  • 2025-03-04: Introduced; referred to Health and Human Services.
  • 2025-03-04: Subcommittee held (Moore, T.; Bradley; Matson).
  • 2025-03-05: Subcommittee recommended passage.
  • 2025-03-05: Committee reported favorably; vote 20 Yeas, 0 Nays, 1 Excused.
  • 2025-03-05: Committee report issued recommending passage.
  • 2025-03-07: Committee report approving bill; renumbered as HF 893.

Fiscal and Implementation Considerations

  • The bill text provided does not include specific funding or appropriation details.
  • Implementation would require HHS to establish the coordinator position and support the dementia specialists, with potential ongoing personnel, training, and program costs.
  • Precise budget, timelines for staffing, and performance metrics would likely be defined in subsequent amendments or appropriation discussions.

Summary

HSB 284 proposes a structured, statewide approach to dementia services by creating a dementia services coordinator within HHS and empowering dementia service specialists to support AAAs and communities. The framework emphasizes coordination of services, adherence to the Alzheimer’s and related dementias state plan, routine screenings, referrals, capacity-building for dementia-capable communities, and ongoing evaluation of dementia services. If enacted, the bill would advance standardized practices across the state and aim to improve outcomes for individuals with dementia and their caregivers.

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

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