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EXPLANATION: CAPITALS INDICATE MATTER ADDED TO EXISTING LAW.
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*hb0446*
HOUSE BILL 446
J1 6lr1479
CF SB 555
By: Delegates Martinez and Acevero, Acevero, Alston, Bagnall, Cullison, Guzzone,
Hill, Kaufman, Lopez, Rosenberg, Ross, White Holland, and Woorman
Introduced and read first time: January 23, 2026
Assigned to: Health
Committee Report: Favorable with amendments
House action: Adopted
Read second time: March 10, 2026
CHAPTER ______
AN ACT concerning 1
Health – Dementia Services and Brain Health Program and Clinical Provider 2
Resource Toolkit 3
FOR the purpose of altering the duties of the Virginia I. Jones Alzheimer’s Disease and 4
Related Dementias Council; establishing the Dementia Services and Brain Health 5
Program in the Maryland Department of Health to lead the State’s public health 6
efforts relating to brain health and dementia; requiring the Director of Dementia 7
Services and Brain Health to administer the Program; requiring the Program, rather 8
than the Director, to perform certain duties and staff the Council; requiring the 9
Program to oversee implementation of a certain State Plan and support and promote 10
the delivery of dementia –capable care; requiring the Maryland Department of 11
Health, in partnership with the Department of Aging, the Council, and other entities, 12
to develop a clinical provider resource toolkit for dementia care for health care 13
providers; and generally relating to Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias and 14
dementia services. 15
BY repealing and reenacting, without amendments, 16
Article – Health – General 17
Section 13–3201, 13–3202, 13–3207, 13–32A–03, and 13–32A–06 18
Annotated Code of Maryland 19
(2023 Replacement Volume and 2025 Supplement) 20
BY repealing and reenacting, with amendments, 21
Article – Health – General 22
2 HOUSE BILL 446
Section 13–3205, 13–3206, 13–32A–01, 13–32A–02, 13–32A–04, and 13–32A–05 1
Annotated Code of Maryland 2
(2023 Replacement Volume and 2025 Supplement) 3
BY adding to 4
Article – Health – General 5
Section 13–32A–07 6
Annotated Code of Maryland 7
(2023 Replacement Volume and 2025 Supplement) 8
SECTION 1. BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF MARYLAND, 9
That the Laws of Maryland read as follows: 10
Article – Health – General 11
13–3201. 12
(a) In this subtitle the following words have the meanings indicated. 13
(b) “Council” means the Virginia I. Jones Alzheimer’s Disease and Related 14
Dementias Council. 15
(c) “Director” means the Director of Dementia Services and Brain Health 16
established under Subtitle 32A of this title. 17
13–3202. 18
There is a Virginia I. Jones Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Dementias Council. 19
13–3205. 20
(a) The [Director] DEMENTIA SERVICES AND BRAIN HEALTH PROGRAM, 21
with assistance from the Department of Aging, shall provide staff support for the Council. 22
(b) The Director may request staffing assistance from public health entities with 23
an interest in the duties of the Council. 24
13–3206. 25
The Council shall: 26
(1) Update the State Plan on Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Dementias 27
and advocate for the State Plan; 28
(2) (i) Examine the needs of individuals with Alzheimer’s disease and 29
related dementias and their caregivers; and 30
HOUSE BILL 446 3
(ii) Identify methods through which the State can most effectively 1
and efficiently assist in meeting those needs; 2
(3) (I) EXAMINE THE READINESS AND CAPACITY OF HEALTH CARE 3
PROVIDERS TO DELIVER CARE TO INDIVIDUALS WITH OR AT RISK FOR ALZHEIMER’S 4
DISEASE AND RELATED DEMENTIAS; AND 5
(II) IDENTIFY METHODS THRO UGH WHICH THE STATE CAN 6
ASSIST HEALTH CARE P ROVIDERS IN DELIVERING CARE TO INDIVIDUA LS WITH OR 7
AT RISK FOR ALZHEIMER’S DISEASE AND RELATE D DEMENTIAS IN THE M OST 8
EFFECTIVE AND EFFICIENT MANNER; 9
[(3)] (4) Advise the Governor and the General Assembly on policy, 10
funding, regulatory, and other issues related to individuals with Alzheimer’s disease and 11
related dementias and their caregivers; and 12
[(4)] (5) Develop and promote strategies to enc ourage brain health and 13
reduce cognitive decline. 14
13–3207. 15
On or before September 1, 2022, and on or before September 1 every 5 years 16
thereafter, the Council shall issue and publish an update to the State Plan on Alzheimer’s 17
Disease and Related Dementias. 18
13–32A–01. 19
(a) In this subtitle the following words have the meanings indicated. 20
(b) “Council” means the Virginia I. Jones Alzheimer’s Disease and Related 21
Dementias Council. 22
(c) “Director” means the Director of Dementia Services and Brain Health. 23
(D) “PROGRAM” MEANS THE DEMENTIA SERVICES AND BRAIN HEALTH 24
PROGRAM. 25
13–32A–02. 26
[(a)] There is a Director of Dementia Services and Brain Health in the Department. 27
[(b) The Director shall report to the Secretary.] 28
13–32A–03. 29
The position of Director shall be a full–time and permanent position. 30
4 HOUSE BILL 446
13–32A–04. 1
[(a) The purpose of the position of Director is to coordinate and facilitate 2
communication relating to dementia services in the State.] 3
(A) THERE IS A DEMENTIA SERVICES AND BRAIN HEALTH PROGRAM IN 4
THE DEPARTMENT. 5
(B) THE DIRECTOR SHALL ADMINISTER THE PROGRAM. 6
(C) THE PURPOSE OF THE PROGRAM IS TO LEAD TH E STATE’S PUBLIC 7
HEALTH EFFORTS RELATING TO BRAIN HEALTH AND DEMENTIA. 8
[(b)] (D) The [Director] PROGRAM shall: 9
(1) Coordinate the Department’s approach to addressing Alzheimer’s 10
disease and other forms of dementia and brain health, including through public awareness, 11
prevention, and early detection and diagnosis; 12
(2) Staff the Council and [oversee implementation of the State Plan on 13
Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Dementias] UPDATE THE COUNCIL EACH QUARTER ON 14
THE PROGRAM’S ACTIVITIES; 15
(3) OVERSEE IMPLEMENTATIO N OF THE STATE PLAN ON 16
ALZHEIMER’S DISEASE AND RELATED DEMENTIAS; 17
[(3)] (4) Assess, analyze, and conduct outreach to share cognitive health 18
and dementia–related data; 19
[(4)] (5) Develop and monitor implementation milestones and 20
measurable outcomes to assess progress in achieving the goals laid out in the State Plan 21
on Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Dementias; 22
[(5)] (6) Identify efficiencies across State agencies that aid individuals 23
with dementia and their caregivers, and coordinate public and private stakeholder 24
partnerships; 25
(7) SUPPORT AND PROMOTE THE DELIVERY OF DEMENTIA–CAPABLE 26
CARE ACROSS HEALTH CARE SETTINGS THROUGH VARIOUS METHODS, INCLUDING: 27
(I) ESTABLISHING AND MAIN TAINING A CLINICAL PROVIDER 28
RESOURCE TOOLKIT FOR DEMENTIA CARE, AS DEFINED IN § 13–32A–07 OF THIS 29
SUBTITLE, TO SUPPORT HEALTH CA RE PROVIDERS IN DELI VERING 30
EVIDENCE–BASED, PERSON–CENTERED CARE; 31
HOUSE BILL 446 5
(II) COORDINATING WITH ACA DEMIC INSTITUTIONS , HEALTH 1
OCCUPATIONS BOARDS , AND CONTINUING EDUCA TION PROVIDERS TO PR OMOTE 2
PARTICIPATION IN DEM ENTIA–SPECIFIC EDUCATION , TRAINING, AND 3
CERTIFICATION FOR HEALTH CARE PROFESSIONALS; AND 4
(III) COLLABORATING WITH STATE–LED CARE 5
TRANSFORMATION INITI ATIVES TO IDENTIFY O PPORTUNITIES TO INCO RPORATE 6
DEMENTIA–CAPABLE CARE PRACTICES INTO HEALTH CARE MODELS; 7
[(6)] (8) Apply for grants to enable the implementation of the State Plan 8
on Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Dementias goals to reduce the risk of dementia, and to 9
improve the quality of care for individuals with dementia and their caregivers; and 10
[(7)] (9) Carry out other duties relevant to the support of individuals with 11
dementia as may be assigned by the Department. 12
13–32A–05. 13
On or before September 1, 2023, and on or before September 1 every 5 years 14
thereafter, the Director shall report to the Governor and, in accordance with § 2 –1257 of 15
the State Government Article, the Senate Finance Committee and the House Health and 16
Government Operations Committee on the activities and recommendations of the 17
[Director] PROGRAM. 18
13–32A–06. 19
The Governor shall include in the annual budget bill an appropriation to fund the 20
position of Director and the Council, as follows: 21
(1) For fiscal year 2023, at least $71,400; 22
(2) For fiscal year 2024, at least $83,000; 23
(3) For fiscal year 2025, at least $85,300; 24
(4) For fiscal year 2026, at least $87,600; and 25
(5) For fiscal year 2027 and each fiscal year thereafter, at least $89,900. 26
13–32A–07. 27
(A) IN THIS SECTION , “TOOLKIT” MEANS THE CLINICAL PROVIDER 28
RESOURCE TOOLKIT FOR DEMENTIA CARE FOR HEALTH CARE PROVIDERS 29
DEVELOPED UNDER SUBSECTION (B) OF THIS SECTION. 30
6 HOUSE BILL 446
(B) ON OR BEFORE JANUARY OCTOBER 1, 2027, THE DEPARTMENT, IN 1
PARTNERSHIP WITH THE DEPARTMENT OF AGING, THE COUNCIL, AND OTHER 2
PUBLIC OR PRIVATE ORGANIZATIONS WITH EXPERTISE IN ALZHEIMER’S DISEASE OR 3
RELATED DEMENTIAS SH ALL ESTABLISH AND MA INTAIN A CLINICAL PROVIDER 4
RESOURCE TOOLKIT FOR DEMENTIA CARE FOR HEALTH CARE PROVIDERS. 5
(C) THE PURPOSE OF THE TO OLKIT IS TO PROVIDE A CENTRALIZED , 6
UP–TO–DATE RESOURCE TO SUP PORT HEALTH CARE PRO VIDERS IN CARING FOR 7
PATIENTS WHO ARE AT RISK FOR OR WHO MAY HAVE DEMENTIA. 8
(D) THE TOOLKIT DEVELOPED UNDER SUBSECTION (B) OF THIS SECTION 9
SHALL INCLUDE: 10
(1) BE COMPOSED OF MATERI ALS THAT CAN BE DEVE LOPED USING 11
EXISTING RESOURCES A ND EXPERTISE WITHIN THE DEPARTMENT OR OBTAINE D 12
THROUGH PARTNERSHIPS WITH PUBLIC OR PRIVA TE ENTITIES AS DETER MINED 13
NECESSARY BY THE DEPARTMENT; AND 14
(2) INCLUDE INFORMATION ON: 15
(1) (I) RISK FACTORS FOR ALZHEIMER’S DISEASE AND RELATE D 16
DEMENTIAS, INCLUDING CHRONIC DISEASES AND THE CO –OCCURRENCE OF DOWN 17
SYNDROME (TRISOMY–21); 18
(2) (II) RISK REDUCTION STRATE GIES, INCLUDING INFORMATION 19
ON LIFESTYLE INTERVENTIONS TO REDUCE DEMENTIA RISK; 20
(3) (III) THE IMPORTANCE OF EAR LY DETECTION AND DIA GNOSIS 21
OF ALZHEIMER’S DISEASE AND RELATED DEMENTIAS; 22
(4) (IV) VALIDATED ASSESSMENT TOOLS FOR THE DETECTION AND 23
DIAGNOSIS OF COGNITIVE IMPAIRMENT; 24
(5) (V) THE RACIAL AND ETHNIC DISPARITIES I N DETECTING , 25
DIAGNOSING, AND ACCESSING TREATMENT AND SERVICES; 26
(6) (VI) PERSON–CENTERED CARE DELIVE RY AND RELEVANT 27
SOURCES OF CLINICAL PRACTICE GUIDELINES AND TOOLS; 28
(7) (VII) EFFECTIVE CARE PLANNING TOOLS, INCLUDING: 29
HOUSE BILL 446 7
(I) 1. AVAILABLE REIMBURSEME NT TOOLS , INCLUDING 1
RELEVANT BILLING CODES, FOR INDIVIDUALS WITH COGNITIVE IMPAIRMENT; 2
(II) 2. REFERRAL PATHWAYS TO COMMUNITY–BASED 3
SERVICES AND CARE PLANNING RESOURCES; AND 4
(III) 3. INFORMATION ON TREATM ENT OPTIONS AND 5
RELEVANT SOURCES FOR GUIDELINES; AND 6
(8) (VIII) CONTINUING EDUCATION OPPORTUNITIES RELATE D TO 7
DEMENTIA CARE BEST PRACTICES. 8
(E) THE DEPARTMENT SHALL PROMOTE THE USE OF THE TOOLKIT ACROSS 9
HEALTH CARE SECTORS, INCLUDING: 10
(1) MANAGED CARE PROGRAMS; 11
(2) ACADEMIC RESEARCH INSTITUTIONS; 12
(3) HOSPITALS AND HEALTH SYSTEMS; 13
(4) FEDERALLY QUALIFIED HEALTH CENTERS; 14
(5) HOSPITAL AND HEALTH SYSTEM ASSOCIATIONS; 15
(6) PHYSICIAN AND MEDICAL STUDENT ORGANIZATIONS; 16
(7) ORGANIZATIONS REPRESENTING THE ADVANCEMENT OF NURSES, 17
HEALTH CARE PROFESSIONALS, AND HEALTH CARE ORGANIZATIONS; AND 18
(8) ANY OTHER PUBLIC OR P RIVATE ORGANIZATION , ENTITY, OR 19
PART OF AN ORGANIZATION OR ENTITY THE DEPARTMENT DEEMS NECESSARY. 20
(F) ON OR BEFORE JANUARY 1 EACH YEAR , BEGINNING I N 2028, THE 21
DEPARTMENT SHALL REVIEW AND UPDATE THE INFORMATION IN THE TOOLKIT TO 22
REFLECT THE MOST RECENT AND ACCURATE AVAILABLE INFORMATION. 23
SECTION 2. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That this Act shall take effect 24
October 1, 2026. 25