SB62 (2009) Detail

(New Title) establishing a commission to study creating a statewide plan for addressing Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias in New Hampshire.


SB 62 – AS AMENDED BY THE SENATE

02/18/09 0260s

2009 SESSION

09-1001

01/03

SENATE BILL 62

AN ACT establishing a commission to study creating a statewide plan for addressing Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias in New Hampshire.

SPONSORS: Sen. Hassan, Dist 23; Sen. Sgambati, Dist 4; Sen. Gilmour, Dist 12; Sen. Downing, Dist 22; Rep. Rosenwald, Hills 22; Rep. Schlachman, Rock 13; Rep. Lyons, Rock 8

COMMITTEE: Health and Human Services

AMENDED ANALYSIS

This bill establishes a commission to study creating a statewide plan for addressing Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias in New Hampshire.

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Explanation: Matter added to current law appears in bold italics.

Matter removed from current law appears [in brackets and struckthrough.]

Matter which is either (a) all new or (b) repealed and reenacted appears in regular type.

02/18/09 0260s

09-1001

01/03

STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE

In the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand Nine

AN ACT establishing a commission to study creating a statewide plan for addressing Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias in New Hampshire.

Be it Enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court convened:

1 Commission Established. There is established a commission to study creating a statewide plan for addressing Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias in New Hampshire.

2 Membership and Compensation.

I. The members of the commission shall be as follows:

(a) One member of the senate, who shall be the chairperson of the senate health and human services committee, appointed by the president of the senate.

(b) Two members of the house of representatives, one of whom shall be the chairperson of the house health, human services and elderly affairs committee, appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives.

(c) The commissioner of the department of health and human services, or designee.

(d) The attorney general, or designee.

(e) The commissioner of the department of labor, or designee.

(f) A representative of the Alzheimer’s Association, appointed by the association.

(g) A representative of the New Hampshire Medical Society, appointed by the society.

(h) The following persons appointed by the governor:

(1) A person who has Alzheimer’s disease.

(2) A caregiver of a person who has Alzheimer’s disease.

(3) A representative of the nursing facility industry.

(4) A representative of the assisted living industry.

(5) A representative of the adult day care services industry.

(6) An Alzheimer’s disease researcher.

(i) A representative of the New Hampshire Nurse Practitioner Association, appointed by the association.

II. Legislative members of the commission shall receive mileage at the legislative rate when attending to the duties of the commission.

3 Duties.

I. The commission shall assess the current and future impact of Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias on the residents of New Hampshire, examine the existing industries, services, and resources addressing the needs of persons with Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias, their families, and caregivers, and develop a statewide plan to address Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias in New Hampshire. The commission’s study shall include an examination of the trends in the state’s Alzheimer’s population and needs, including the changing population with dementia, including, but not limited to, the state’s role in long-term care, family caregiver support and assistance to persons with early-stage and early onset of Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias, and the state’s policy regarding persons with Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias and developmental disabilities.

II. The commission’s study shall also include:

(a) Survey of persons with Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias for purposes of having proper estimates of the number of persons in the state with such disease.

(b) Existing services, resources, and capacity, including but not limited to the:

(1) Type, cost, and availability of dementia services.

(2) Dementia-specific training requirements for long-term care staff.

(3) Quality care measures for residential care facilities.

(4) Capacity of public safety and law enforcement to respond to persons with Alzheimer’s disease.

(5) Availability of home and community-based resources for persons with Alzheimer’s disease and respite care to assist families.

(6) Inventory of long-term care dementia care units.

(7) Adequacy and appropriateness of geriatric-psychiatric units for persons with behavior disorders associated with Alzheimer’s disease and related dementia.

(8) Assisted living residential options for persons with dementia.

(9) State support of Alzheimer’s disease research through New Hampshire universities and other resources.

(c) State policies or responses that are necessary, including, but not limited to, directions to provide clear and coordinated services and supports to persons and families living with Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias and strategies to address any identified gaps in services.

4 Chairperson; Quorum. The members of the commission shall elect a chairperson from among the members. The first meeting of the commission shall be called by the first-named senate member. The first meeting of the commission shall be held within 45 days of the effective date of this section. Seven members of the commission shall constitute a quorum.

5 Report. The commission shall report its findings and any recommendations for proposed legislation to the president of the senate, the speaker of the house of representatives, the senate clerk, the house clerk, the governor, and the state library on or before November 1, 2009.

6 Effective Date. This act shall take effect upon its passage.