Bill Text: CT HB05979 | 2013 | General Assembly | Chaptered
Bill Title: An Act Establishing A Task Force On Alzheimer's Disease And Dementia.
Spectrum: Bipartisan Bill
Status: (Passed) 2013-06-18 - Signed by the Governor [HB05979 Detail]
Download: Connecticut-2013-HB05979-Chaptered.html
Substitute House Bill No. 5979
AN ACT ESTABLISHING A TASK FORCE ON ALZHEIMER'S DISEASE AND DEMENTIA.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Assembly convened:
Section 1. (Effective from passage) (a) There is established a task force to study the care provided to persons diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease and dementia in the state. The task force shall analyze and make recommendations on the subject of Alzheimer's disease and dementia that shall include, but need not be limited to: (1) Services provided to persons diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease and dementia, including persons with early-stage and early-onset of Alzheimer's disease, and such persons' family members and caregivers; (2) legislative policy changes to better serve such persons, family members and caregivers; (3) coordination between state agencies and private community-based health care providers to serve such persons, family members and caregivers; (4) case management services for such persons, family members and caregivers; (5) the transition of such persons from one health care facility to another; and (6) the placement of such persons in community-based settings or health care facilities other than nursing home facilities, when feasible.
(b) The task force shall consist of the following members:
(1) The chairpersons and ranking members of the joint standing committees of the General Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to aging and public health, or the chairpersons' and ranking members' designees;
(2) One appointed by the speaker of the House of Representatives, who shall be a person diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease;
(3) One appointed by the president pro tempore of the Senate, who shall be a family member of, and caregiver for, a person diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease;
(4) One appointed by the majority leader of the House of Representatives, who shall be a representative of an organization that advocates for persons with Alzheimer's disease and dementia who are living in long-term care facilities;
(5) One appointed by the majority leader of the Senate, who shall be a physician whose practice is focused on the treatment of elderly patients;
(6) One appointed by the minority leader of the House of Representatives, who shall be a representative of a community-based health care provider;
(7) One appointed by the minority leader of the Senate, who shall be a member of the Alzheimer's Association, Connecticut Chapter;
(8) One appointed by the Governor, who shall be a representative of a long-term care facility;
(9) The chairperson of the Long-Term Care Planning Committee, established pursuant to section 17b-337 of the general statutes;
(10) The Commissioners of Social Services, Public Health and Emergency Services and Public Protection, the Commissioner on Aging and the Labor Commissioner and Banking Commissioner, or said commissioners' designees; and
(11) The Probate Court Administrator, or the administrator's designee.
(c) Any member of the task force under subdivision (1) or subdivisions (3) to (7), inclusive, of subsection (b) of this section may be a member of the General Assembly.
(d) All appointments to the task force shall be made not later than thirty days after the effective date of this section. Any vacancy shall be filled by the appointing authority.
(e) The president pro tempore of the Senate and the speaker of the House of Representatives shall each appoint one chairperson of the task force from among the members. Such chairpersons shall schedule the first meeting of the task force, which shall be held not later than sixty days after the effective date of this section. A majority of the task force members shall constitute a quorum. A majority vote of a quorum shall be required for any official action of the task force. The task force shall meet upon the call of the chairs or upon the request of a majority of the members.
(f) The administrative staff of the Commission on Aging shall serve as administrative staff of the task force.
(g) Members of the task force shall serve without compensation, except for necessary expenses incurred in the performance of their duties.
(h) Not later than January 1, 2014, the task force shall submit a report, in accordance with the provisions of section 11-4a of the general statutes, on its findings and recommendations to the joint standing committees of the General Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to public health and aging. The task force shall terminate on the date that it submits such report or January 1, 2014, whichever is later.