Read the full stored bill text
EXPLANATION: CAPITALS INDICATE MATTER ADDED TO EXISTING LAW.
[Brackets] indicate matter deleted from existing law.
Underlining indicates amendments to bill.
Strike out indicates matter stricken from the bill by amendment or deleted from the law by
amendment.
Italics indicate opposite chamber/conference committee amendments.
*sb0555*
SENATE BILL 555
J1 (6lr2791)
ENROLLED BILL
— Finance/Health —
Introduced by Senator Hayes
Read and Examined by Proofreaders:
_______________________________________________
Proofreader.
_______________________________________________
Proofreader.
Sealed with the Great Seal and presented to the Governor, for his approval this
_______ day of _______________ at _________________ _______ o’clock, ________M.
______________________________________________
President.
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
2 SENATE BILL 555
BY repealing and reenacting, without amendments, 1
Article – Health – General 2
Section 13–3201, 13–3202, 13–3207, 13–32A–03, and 13–32A–06 3
Annotated Code of Maryland 4
(2023 Replacement Volume and 2025 Supplement) 5
BY repealing and reenacting, with amendments, 6
Article – Health – General 7
Section 13–3205, 13–3206, 13–32A–01, 13–32A–02, 13–32A–04, and 13–32A–05 8
Annotated Code of Maryland 9
(2023 Replacement Volume and 2025 Supplement) 10
BY adding to 11
Article – Health – General 12
Section 13–32A–07 13
Annotated Code of Maryland 14
(2023 Replacement Volume and 2025 Supplement) 15
SECTION 1. BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF MARYLAND, 16
That the Laws of Maryland read as follows: 17
Article – Health – General 18
13–3201. 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
established under Subtitle 32A of this title. 24
13–3202. 25
There is a Virginia I. Jones Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Dementias Council. 26
13–3205. 27
(a) The [Director] DEMENTIA SERVICES AND BRAIN HEALTH PROGRAM, 28
with assistance from the Department of Aging, shall provide staff support for the Council. 29
(b) The Director may request staffing assistance from public health entities with 30
an interest in the duties of the Council. 31
13–3206. 32
SENATE BILL 555 3
The Council shall: 1
(1) Update the State Plan on Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Dementias 2
and advocate for the State Plan; 3
(2) (i) Examine the needs of individuals with Alzheimer’s disease and 4
related dementias and their caregivers; and 5
(ii) Identify methods through which the State can most effectively 6
and efficiently assist in meeting those needs; 7
(3) (I) EXAMINE THE READINESS AND CAPACITY OF HEALTH CARE 8
PROVIDERS TO DELIVER CARE TO INDIVIDUALS WITH OR AT RISK FOR ALZHEIMER’S 9
DISEASE AND RELATED DEMENTIAS; AND 10
(II) IDENTIFY METHODS THRO UGH WHICH THE STATE CAN 11
ASSIST HEALTH CARE P ROVIDERS IN DELIVERING CARE TO INDIVIDUA LS WITH OR 12
AT RISK FOR ALZHEIMER’S DISEASE AND RELATE D DEMENTIAS IN THE M OST 13
EFFECTIVE AND EFFICIENT MANNER; 14
[(3)] (4) Advise the Governor and the General Assembly on policy, 15
funding, regulatory, and other issues related to individuals with Alzheimer’s disease and 16
related dementias and their caregivers; and 17
[(4)] (5) Develop and promote strategies to enc ourage brain health and 18
reduce cognitive decline. 19
13–3207. 20
On or before September 1, 2022, and on or before September 1 every 5 years 21
thereafter, the Council shall issue and publish an update to the State Plan on Alzheimer’s 22
Disease and Related Dementias. 23
13–32A–01. 24
(a) In this subtitle the following words have the meanings indicated. 25
(b) “Council” means the Virginia I. Jones Alzheimer’s Disease and Related 26
Dementias Council. 27
(c) “Director” means the Director of Dementia Services and Brain Health. 28
(D) “PROGRAM” MEANS THE DEMENTIA SERVICES AND BRAIN HEALTH 29
PROGRAM. 30
4 SENATE BILL 555
13–32A–02. 1
[(a)] There is a Director of Dementia Services and Brain Health in the Department. 2
[(b) The Director shall report to the Secretary.] 3
13–32A–03. 4
The position of Director shall be a full–time and permanent position. 5
13–32A–04. 6
[(a) The purpose of the position of Director is to coordinate and facilitate 7
communication relating to dementia services in the State.] 8
(A) THERE IS A DEMENTIA SERVICES AND BRAIN HEALTH PROGRAM IN 9
THE DEPARTMENT. 10
(B) THE DIRECTOR SHALL ADMINISTER THE PROGRAM. 11
(C) THE PURPOSE OF THE PROGRAM IS TO LEAD TH E STATE’S PUBLIC 12
HEALTH EFFORTS RELATING TO BRAIN HEALTH AND DEMENTIA. 13
[(b)] (D) The [Director] PROGRAM shall: 14
(1) Coordinate the Department’s approach to addressing Alzheimer’s 15
disease and other forms of dementia and brain health, including through public awareness, 16
prevention, and early detection and diagnosis; 17
(2) Staff the Council and [oversee implementation of the State Plan on 18
Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Dementias] UPDATE THE COUNCIL EACH QUARTER ON 19
THE PROGRAM’S ACTIVITIES; 20
(3) OVERSEE IMPLEMENTATIO N OF THE STATE PLAN ON 21
ALZHEIMER’S DISEASE AND RELATED DEMENTIAS; 22
[(3)] (4) Assess, analyze, and conduct outreach to share cognitive health 23
and dementia–related data; 24
[(4)] (5) Develop and monitor implementation milestones and 25
measurable outcomes to assess progress in achieving the goals laid out in the State Plan 26
on Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Dementias; 27
SENATE BILL 555 5
[(5)] (6) Identify efficiencies across State agencies that aid individuals 1
with dementia and their caregivers, and coordinate public and private stakeholder 2
partnerships; 3
(7) SUPPORT AND PROMOTE THE DELIVERY OF DEMENTIA–CAPABLE 4
CARE ACROSS HEALTH CARE SETTINGS THROUGH VARIOUS METHODS, INCLUDING: 5
(I) ESTABLISHING AND MAIN TAINING A CLINICAL PROVIDER 6
RESOURCE TOOLKIT FOR DEMENTIA CARE, AS DEFINED IN § 13–32A–07 OF THIS 7
SUBTITLE, TO SUPPORT HEALTH CA RE PROVIDERS IN DELI VERING 8
EVIDENCE–BASED, PERSON–CENTERED CARE; 9
(II) COORDINATING WITH ACA DEMIC INSTITUTIONS , HEALTH 10
OCCUPATIONS BOARDS , AND CONTINUING EDUCA TION PROVIDERS TO PR OMOTE 11
PARTICIPATION IN DEM ENTIA–SPECIFIC EDUCATION , TRAINING, AND 12
CERTIFICATION FOR HEALTH CARE PROFESSIONALS; AND 13
(III) COLLABORATING WITH STATE–LED CARE 14
TRANSFORMATION INITI ATIVES TO IDENTIFY O PPORTUNITIES TO INCO RPORATE 15
DEMENTIA–CAPABLE CARE PRACTICES INTO HEALTH CARE MODELS; 16
[(6)] (8) Apply for grants to enable the implementation of the State Plan 17
on Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Dementias goals to reduce the risk of dementia, and to 18
improve the quality of care for individuals with dementia and their caregivers; and 19
[(7)] (9) Carry out other duties relevant to the support of individuals with 20
dementia as may be assigned by the Department. 21
13–32A–05. 22
On or before September 1, 2023, and on or before September 1 every 5 years 23
thereafter, the Director shall report to the Governor and, in accordance with § 2 –1257 of 24
the State Government Article, the Senate Finance Committee and the House Health and 25
Government Operations Committee on the activities and recommendations of the 26
[Director] PROGRAM. 27
13–32A–06. 28
The Governor shall include in the annual budget bill an appropriation to fund the 29
position of Director and the Council, as follows: 30
(1) For fiscal year 2023, at least $71,400; 31
(2) For fiscal year 2024, at least $83,000; 32
6 SENATE BILL 555
(3) For fiscal year 2025, at least $85,300; 1
(4) For fiscal year 2026, at least $87,600; and 2
(5) For fiscal year 2027 and each fiscal year thereafter, at least $89,900. 3
13–32A–07. 4
(A) IN THIS SECTION , “TOOLKIT” MEANS THE CLINICAL PROVIDER 5
RESOURCE TOOLKIT FOR DEMENTIA CARE FOR HEALTH CARE PROVIDERS 6
DEVELOPED UNDER SUBSECTION (B) OF THIS SECTION. 7
(B) ON OR BEFORE JANUARY OCTOBER 1, 2027, THE DEPARTMENT, IN 8
PARTNERSHIP WITH THE DEPARTMENT OF AGING, THE COUNCIL, AND OTHER 9
PUBLIC OR PRIVATE ORGANIZATIONS WITH EXPERTISE IN ALZHEIMER’S DISEASE OR 10
RELATED DEMENTIAS SH ALL ESTABLISH AND MA INTAIN A CLINICAL PROVIDER 11
RESOURCE TOOLKIT FOR DEMENTIA CARE FOR HEALTH CARE PROVIDERS. 12
(C) THE PURPOSE OF THE TO OLKIT IS TO PROVIDE A CENTRALIZED , 13
UP–TO–DATE RESOURCE TO SUP PORT HEALTH CARE PRO VIDERS IN CARING FOR 14
PATIENTS WHO ARE AT RISK FOR OR WHO MAY HAVE DEMENTIA. 15
(D) THE TOOLKIT DEVELOPED UNDER SUBSECTION (B) OF THIS SECTION 16
SHALL INCLUDE INFORMATION ON: 17
(1) BE COMPOSED OF MATERI ALS THAT CAN BE DEVE LOPED USING 18
EXISTING RESOURCES A ND EXPERTISE WITHIN THE DEPARTMENT OR OBTAINE D 19
THROUGH PARTNERSHIPS WITH ANY OTHER PUBLIC OR PRIVATE ORGANIZATION OR 20
ENTITY ENTITIES AS DETERMINED NECESSARY BY THE DEPARTMENT; AND 21
(2) INCLUDE INFORMATION ON: 22
(1) (I) RISK FACTORS FOR ALZHEIMER’S DISEASE AND RELATE D 23
DEMENTIAS, INCLUDING CHRONIC DISEASES AND THE CO –OCCURRENCE OF DOWN 24
SYNDROME (TRISOMY–21); 25
(2) (II) RISK REDUCTION STRATE GIES, INCLUDING INFORMATION 26
ON LIFESTYLE INTERVENTIONS TO REDUCE DEMENTIA RISK; 27
(3) (III) THE IMPORTANCE OF EAR LY DETECTION AND DIA GNOSIS 28
OF ALZHEIMER’S DISEASE AND RELATED DEMENTIAS; 29
(4) (IV) VALIDATED ASSESSMENT TOOLS FOR THE DETECTION AND 30
DIAGNOSIS OF COGNITIVE IMPAIRMENT; 31
SENATE BILL 555 7
(5) (V) THE RACIAL AND ETHNIC DISPARITIES IN DETEC TING, 1
DIAGNOSING, AND ACCESSING TREATMENT AND SERVICES; 2
(6) (VI) PERSON–CENTERED CARE DELIVE RY AND RELEVANT 3
SOURCES OF CLINICAL PRACTICE GUIDELINES AND TOOLS; 4
(7) (VII) EFFECTIVE CARE PLANNING TOOLS, INCLUDING: 5
(I) 1. AVAILABLE REIMBURSEME NT TOOLS , INCLUDING 6
RELEVANT BILLING CODES, FOR INDIVIDUALS WITH COGNITIVE IMPAIRMENT; 7
(II) 2. REFERRAL PATHWAYS TO COMMUNITY–BASED 8
SERVICES AND CARE PLANNING RESOURCES; AND 9
(III) 3. INFORMATION ON TREATM ENT OPTIONS AND 10
RELEVANT SOURCES FOR GUIDELINES; AND 11
(8) (VIII) CONTINUING EDUCATION OPPORTUNITIES RELATE D TO 12
DEMENTIA CARE BEST PRACTICES. 13
(E) THE DEPARTMENT SHALL PROMOTE THE USE OF THE TOOLKIT ACROSS 14
HEALTH CARE SECTORS, INCLUDING: 15
(1) MANAGED CARE PROGRAMS; 16
(2) ACADEMIC RESEARCH INSTITUTIONS; 17
(3) HOSPITALS AND HEALTH SYSTEMS; 18
(4) FEDERALLY QUALIFIED HEALTH CENTERS; 19
(5) HOSPITAL AND HEALTH SYSTEM ASSOCIATIONS; 20
(6) PHYSICIAN AND MEDICAL STUDENT ORGANIZATIONS; 21
(7) ORGANIZATIONS REPRESENTING THE ADVANCEMENT OF NURSES, 22
HEALTH CARE PROFESSIONALS, AND HEALTH CARE ORGANIZATIONS; AND 23
(8) ANY OTHER PUBLIC OR P RIVATE ORGANIZATION , ENTITY, OR 24
PART OF AN ORGANIZATION OR ENTITY THE DEPARTMENT DEEMS NECESSARY. 25
8 SENATE BILL 555
(F) ON OR BEFORE JANUARY 1 EACH YEAR , BEGINNING IN 2028, THE 1
DEPARTMENT SHALL REVIEW AND UPDATE THE INFORMATION IN THE TOOLKIT TO 2
REFLECT THE MOST RECENT AND ACCURATE AVAILABLE INFORMATION. 3
SECTION 2. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That this Act sh all take effect 4
October 1, 2026. 5
Approved:
________________________________________________________________________________
Governor.
________________________________________________________________________________
President of the Senate.
________________________________________________________________________________
Speaker of the House of Delegates.