HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 4205        FILED ON: 3/20/2009

HOUSE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 3923

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

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In the Year Two Thousand Nine

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An Act establishing the Alzheimer's State Plan Commission..

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court assembled, and by the authority of the same, as follows:
 

SECTION 1.  There is hereby established the Alzheimer’s State Plan Commission which shall consist of members, including but not limited to the chairs of the healthcare finance, elder affairs and children, families and persons with disabilities committees (or their designees) in each chamber, at least one person with Alzheimer’s disease, one caregiver of a person with Alzheimer’s disease, a representative of the nursing facility industry, a representative of the assisted living industry, a representative of the adult day services industry, a representative of the medical care provider community, a representative of the home care/home health industry, a representative from hospice, an Alzheimer’s disease researcher, a representative of the Alzheimer’s Association, Massachusetts/New Hampshire chapter, and each director (or their designee) of the following state agencies: the department of public health, the executive office of elder affairs, the executive office of health and human services, the departments of mental retardation, Medicaid, law enforcement, and labor/workforce development.

Members of the Commission shall serve on a voluntary basis and are not entitled to mileage, per diem, subsistence or other forms of compensation.

SECTION 2.  The executive office of health and human services shall convene the Commission.

SECTION 3.  The Commission shall assess the current and future impact of Alzheimer’s disease on residents of the Commonwealth; to examine the existing industries, services and resources addressing the needs of persons with Alzheimer’s, their families, and caregivers; and to develop a strategy to mobilize a state response to this public health crisis.

SECTION 4.  The Commission shall include an examination of the following in its assessment and recommendations:

Trends in the Commonwealth’s Alzheimer’s population and needs, including the changing population with dementia.

Existing services, resources and capacity to serve persons with Alzheimer’s and related dementia.

Needed state policies or responses, including but not limited to directions for the provision of clear and coordinated services and supports to persons and families living with Alzheimer’s and related disorders and strategies to address any identified gap in services.

SECTION 5.  The Commission shall hold public meetings and utilize technological means, such as web casts, to generate discussion and gather feedback on the recommendations from persons and families affected by Alzheimer’s disease and the general public across the commonwealth.

SECTION 6.  The Commission shall submit a report of its findings and date specific recommendation to the court and the governor in a form of a State Alzheimer’s Plan no later than February 10, 2010.  The Commission shall expire upon such submission.