An Act To Establish The Alzheimer'S Disease And Related Dementias Prevention And Support Program

132nd Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Kristen Cloutier and 6 co-sponsors

Establishes an ADRD Prevention and Support Program within DHHS to coordinate prevention, education, and support, with a Healthy Brain Initiatives Council to advise activities.

Became Law without Governor's Signature

#administration #alzheimersanddementiaprevention #healthandhumanservicesdept

Purpose

LD 1677 would establish an Alzheimer's Disease and Related Dementias (ADRD) Prevention and Support Program within the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS). The intent is to coordinate prevention, education and support activities related to Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias and to create a Healthy Brain Initiatives Council to advise and support those activities.

Key provisions

Establishes an ADRD Prevention and Support Program housed in DHHS.

Creates/authorizes a Healthy Brain Initiatives Council to advise on program activities and accept receipts from other funding sources.

Provides for a program coordinator role: one Health Program Manager position in DHHS to serve as the program coordinator (included in original/committee versions).

Legislative amendments: Committee Amendment A (H‑442) and House Amendment A (H‑512) were adopted; a subsequent amendment removed the General Fund appropriations for the coordinator position (see fiscal section).

Fiscal impact

There are three fiscal-note scenarios documented:
- Original bill and committee-amended versions: General Fund appropriations of $122,308 (FY2025‑26) and $127,855 (FY2026‑27) for one Health Program Manager; projected GF costs rising to $136,264 by FY2028‑29. Additionally, ongoing Other Special Revenue Fund allocations of $500 annually beginning FY2025‑26 to establish the Healthy Brain Initiatives Council and accommodate receipts/expenditures.
- A later House amendment removed the General Fund appropriations for the coordinator position. That amendment shows a net General Fund “savings” equal to the removed amounts; however DHHS has indicated the Health Program Manager would be needed to implement the program. Because the adopted amendment provided no funding for the position, the potential effects on other DHHS programs and overall program implementation are described as undetermined.

Who is affected

DHHS: responsible for program implementation (and would house the program coordinator if funded).

People living with Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias, caregivers, families, and health/social service providers who would be served or engaged by prevention and support initiatives.

State budget/appropriations: potential small ongoing SRF activity ($500) and—if funded—moderate GF personnel costs.

Legislative timeline & current status

Referred to Health and Human Services: 04/17/2025

Committee work and amendments: May–June 2025 (OTP‑AM recommended; Committee Amendment A and House Amendment adopted)

Passed to be enacted by the Legislature in June 2025

Placed on Special Appropriations Table and later passed to be enacted in concurrence (06/25/2025)

As of 07/08/2025: Held by the Governor (awaiting signature, veto, or other executive action).

Notes / Considerations

The Legislature adopted amendments that altered the bill’s funding stance: while the bill contemplates a coordinator position, an adopted amendment removed the General Fund appropriation for that position. DHHS has indicated the position is necessary for implementation, and the absence of funding leaves the practical ability to stand up the program uncertain.

Bill