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A1557
ASSEMBLY, No. 1557
STATE OF NEW JERSEY
222nd LEGISLATURE
�
PRE-FILED FOR INTRODUCTION IN THE 2026 SESSION
Sponsored by:
Assemblyman CLINTON CALABRESE
District 36 (Bergen and Passaic)
Assemblyman ROBERT J. KARABINCHAK
District 18 (Middlesex)
Co-Sponsored by:
Assemblywoman Speight
SYNOPSIS
���� Establishes "New Jersey Alzheimer's Disease
Master Plan Study Commission."
CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT
���� Introduced Pending Technical Review by Legislative
Counsel.
��
An Act
concerning Alzheimer�s disease
and other related
dementias
.
����
Be It
Enacted
by the Senate and General Assembly of
the State of New Jersey:
���� 1.��� a.� There is established
the New Jersey Alzheimer's Disease Master Plan Study Commission in the
Department of Human Services.�
���� b.��� The commission shall
consist of 15 members as follows:
���� (1)� the Commissioners of
Health and Human Services, or their designees, who shall serve ex officio;
���� (2)� two members of the
Senate, to be appointed by the President of the Senate, who shall not be of the
same political party;
���� (3)� two members of the
General Assembly, to be appointed by the Speaker of the General Assembly, who
shall not be of the same political party; and
���� (4)� nine members appointed by
the Governor, as follows: two persons recommended by the Alzheimer's
Association; three health care professionals who are currently involved in the
provision of direct services, one of whom shall be a representative of an
agency that provides home care services to persons with dementia, one of whom
shall be a representative of an assisted living facility that provides
specialized services to persons with dementia, and one of whom shall be a
representative of a licensed nursing home that provides specialized services to
persons with dementia; one representative from the clergy who has experience
providing emotional and spiritual care and support for persons with Alzheimer's
disease and their families; two persons, who by reason of family relationship
or legal guardianship, bear or have borne responsibility in caring for a person
with Alzheimer's disease; and one attorney who is currently licensed and
practicing in New Jersey, has expertise in legal and financial planning and
elder care issues, and has extensive community-based experience working with
persons with Alzheimer's disease and their families.
���� c.��� Vacancies in the
membership of the commission shall be filled in the same manner provided for
the original appointments.�
���� d.��� The commission shall
organize as soon as practicable following the appointment of its members, and
shall select a chairperson from among the members.� The chairperson shall
appoint a secretary who need not be a member of the commission.
���� e.��� Members of the
commission shall serve without compensation, but shall be reimbursed for
necessary expenses incurred in the performance of their duties as members of
the commission, within the limits of funds appropriated or otherwise made
available to the commission for its purposes.
���� f.���� The commission shall be
entitled to call to its assistance and avail itself of the services of the
employees of any State, county, or municipal department, board, bureau,
commission, or agency as it may require, and as may be available to it for its
purposes.
���� g.��� The Department of Human
Services shall provide staff support to the commission, as necessary.
���� 2.��� It shall be the duty of
the New Jersey Alzheimer's Disease Master Plan Study Commission, established
pursuant to section 1 of this section, to develop a master plan for the State
to implement to address the impact of Alzheimer�s disease and other related
dementias.� The master plan shall include measures to:
���� a.��� Prepare the State to
address the needs of individuals diagnosed with Alzheimer�s disease and their
caregivers.
���� b.��� Educate the public to
increase awareness and understanding about Alzheimer's and other related dementias
utilizing identified community resources, services, and efforts.
���� c.��� Improve the quality and
effectiveness of the health care provided to individuals diagnosed with
Alzheimer�s disease.
���� d.��� Ensure adequate and
sustainable funding for individuals diagnosed with Alzheimer�s disease.
���� e.��� Enable individuals
diagnosed with Alzheimer�s disease to live in the most integrated,
community-based setting, in accordance with their needs and preferences.
���� f.���� Foster opportunities
for individuals diagnosed with Alzheimer�s disease to be meaningfully engaged
in their communities.
���� g.��� Support unpaid family
caregivers who serve individuals diagnosed with Alzheimer�s disease.
���� h.��� Develop programs and
policies for individuals diagnosed with Alzheimer�s disease that impact mental
and physical health, safety, and well-being.
���� i.���� Develop programs and
policies for individuals diagnosed with Alzheimer�s disease that enable
individuals to receive services at home and in community-based settings as an
alternative to institutionalization.
���� j.���� Develop programs and
policies for individuals diagnosed with Alzheimer�s disease that lift these
individuals out of poverty.
���� k.��� Establish benchmarks to
assess and measure progress in accomplishing the master plan goals.
���� l.���� Develop affordable
housing options for individuals diagnosed with Alzheimer�s disease
���� m.�� Prevent exploitation and
abuse, including financial abuse and physical abuse, of individuals diagnosed
with Alzheimer�s disease.
���� 3.��� The New Jersey
Alzheimer's Disease Master Plan Study Commission, established pursuant to
section 1 of this section, may meet and hold hearings at such places and times
as it shall designate, and shall submit the Master Plan to the Governor, and to
the Legislature pursuant to section 2 of P.L.1991, c.164 (C.52:14-19.1), within
two years of the appointment of a majority of the public members of the
commission.
���� 4.��� This act shall take
effect immediately.� The commission shall expire 60 days after the submission
of the report required pursuant to section 3 of this act.
STATEMENT
���� This bill establishes the �New
Jersey Alzheimer's Disease Master Plan Study Commission� (commission) in the
Department of Human Services.
���� Under the bill, the commission
is to consist of 15 members as follows: (1) the Commissioners of Health and
Human Services; (2) two members of the Senate, to be appointed by the President
of the Senate, who are not to be of the same political party; (3) two members
of the General Assembly, to be appointed by the Speaker of the General
Assembly, who are not to be of the same political party; and (4)���� nine
members appointed by the Governor, as provided for in the bill.
���� Under the bill, it is the duty
of the commission to develop a master plan for the State to implement to
address the impact of Alzheimer�s disease and other related dementias.� The
master plan is to include measures to: (1) prepare the State to address the
needs of individuals diagnosed with Alzheimer�s disease and their caregivers;
(2) educate the public to increase awareness and understanding about
Alzheimer's and other related dementias utilizing identified community resources,
services, and efforts; (3) improve the quality and effectiveness of the health
care provided to individuals diagnosed with Alzheimer�s disease; (4) ensure
adequate and sustainable funding for individuals diagnosed with Alzheimer�s
disease; (5) enable individuals diagnosed with Alzheimer�s disease to live in
the most integrated, community-based setting, in accordance with their needs
and preferences; (6) foster opportunities for individuals diagnosed with
Alzheimer�s disease to be meaningfully engaged in their communities; (7)
support unpaid family caregivers who serve individuals diagnosed with
Alzheimer�s disease; (8) develop programs and policies for individuals
diagnosed with Alzheimer�s disease that impact mental and physical health,
safety, and well-being; (9) develop programs and policies for individuals
diagnosed with Alzheimer�s disease that enable individuals to receive services
at home and in community-based settings as an alternative to
institutionalization; (10) develop programs and policies for individuals
diagnosed with Alzheimer�s disease that lift these individuals out of poverty;
(11)� establish benchmarks to assess and measure progress in accomplishing the
master plan goals; (12) develop affordable housing options for individuals
diagnosed with Alzheimer�s disease; and (13) prevent exploitation and abuse,
including financial abuse and physical abuse, of individuals diagnosed with
Alzheimer�s disease.
���� The commission is to submit
the Master Plan to the Governor, and to the Legislature within two years of the
appointment of a majority of the public members of the commission.� This bill
is to take effect immediately, and the commission is to expire 60 days after
the submission of the plan required under the bill.