HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES	H.B. NO.	2455
THIRTIETH LEGISLATURE, 2020
STATE OF HAWAII

A BILL FOR AN ACT

relating to DEMENTIA TRAINING.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

SECTION 1. The legislature finds that as part of addressing the present and continuing "silver tsunami" in Hawaii, first responders and investigators from the department of human services' adult protective services program should be adequately trained to identify and interact appropriately with individuals with Alzheimer's and related dementias. Because individuals with Alzheimer's and related dementias may not respond in a manner typically anticipated by first responders and investigators from adult protective services, providing dementia training designed to help identify, interact with, and intervene in cases of suspected abuse or neglect of individuals with Alzheimer's and related dementias will enable these employees to better carry out their duties and responsibilities.

SECTION 2. Chapter 321, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding a new section to part XVIII to be appropriately designated and to read as follows:

"§321-    First responders; dementia training (a) The department of health shall develop and provide dementia training for first responders. The training required under this section shall include but not be limited to:

(1) Recognizing the key signs of Alzheimer's and related dementias;

(2) Strategies for assessing cognition;

(3) Best practices for interacting with persons living with Alzheimer's and related dementias; and

(4) Strategies to best identify and intervene in situations where persons with Alzheimer's and related dementias may be at particular risk of abuse of neglect.

(b) The department may set the standards and frequency for the dementia training and may coordinate as necessary with all public and private entities and agencies responsible for services provided by first responders to provide the training required under this section.

(c) The department may utilize existing educational and training resources available in the public and private sectors when developing the training required under this section.

(d) As used in this section, "first responders" includes firefighters, emergency medical technicians, mobile intensive care technicians, emergency management workers, police officers, and state law enforcement officers."

SECTION 3. Chapter 346, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding a new section to part X to be appropriately designated and to read as follows:

"§346-    Adult protective services investigators; dementia training (a) The department shall develop and provide dementia training for investigators in the department's adult protective services program. The training required under this section shall include but not be limited to:

(1) Recognizing the key signs of Alzheimer's and related dementias;

(2) Strategies for assessing cognition;

(3) Best practices for interacting with persons living with Alzheimer's and related dementias; and

(4) Strategies to best identify and intervene in situations where persons with Alzheimer's and related dementias may be at particular risk of abuse and neglect.

(b) The department may set the standards and frequency for the dementia training and may coordinate as necessary with other state agencies to provide the training required under this section.

(c) The department may utilize existing educational and training resources available in the public and private sectors when developing the training required under this section."

SECTION 4. New statutory material is underscored.

SECTION 5. This Act shall take effect upon its approval.

INTRODUCED BY:

_____________________________

Report Title:

Dementia Training; Alzheimer's and Related Dementias; First Responders; Adult Protective Services Investigators

Description:

Requires the departments of health and human services to develop and provide dementia training to first responders and investigators from DHS's adult protective services program.

The summary description of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.