AB 1618

Bill Subjects

Abstract

Existing law authorizes any postsecondary higher educational institution with a medical center to establish diagnostic and treatment centers for Alzheimer's disease, and requires the State Department of Public Health to administer grants to the postsecondary higher educational institutions that establish a center pursuant to these provisions. This bill would require the department to establish the Office of the Healthy Brain Initiative to conduct all department activities relating to Alzheimer's disease and to implement the action agenda items in the Healthy Brain Initiative, as defined. The bill would also, upon appropriation by the Legislature, require the office to establish a program in at least 10 local health jurisdictions, as specified, and award participating local health jurisdictions one-time grant funding, to develop local initiatives that are consistent with the Healthy Brain Initiative. The bill would require the office to conduct an evaluation of the program and produce a report describing best practices and making recommendations regarding which solutions and innovations are most feasible to replicate. The bill would require the office to provide a copy of the report to the Legislature by December 31, 2025, and to provide an updated copy of the report to the Legislature every 3 years thereafter. Existing law requires the Secretary of California Health and Human Services to be responsible for oversight and coordination of programs serving people living with Alzheimer's disease and related disorders, and their families. Existing law establishes the Alzheimer's Disease and Related Disorders Advisory Committee in the California Health and Human Services Agency, and specifies that the committee consists of 14 members, including, among others, one member who represents a consumer organization representing persons with Alzheimer's disease, and 2 people who have been diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease, serving one-year terms. This bill would, in the provisions governing the committee, revise references to Alzheimer's disease to also refer to related disorders. The bill would also expand the membership of the committee to at least 21, but not more than 25, members and would specify that the additional members include a 2nd member representing a consumer organization representing persons with Alzheimer's disease or related disorders, one member who represents first responders, one commissioner from the California Commission on Aging who has expertise regarding Alzheimer's disease or related disorders, one member who represents primary care physicians, one member representing local health jurisdictions, and 2 ex officio, nonvoting members, one of which is a Member of the Assembly and one of which is a Senator. The bill would remove the requirement that the 2 members who have been diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease or related disorders serve a one-year term.