HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

H.B. NO.

1283

THIRTY-FIRST LEGISLATURE, 2021

H.D. 1

STATE OF HAWAII

 

 

 

 

 

 

A BILL FOR AN ACT

 

 

RELATING TO HEALTH.

 

 

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

 

     SECTION 1.  The legislature finds that a 2015 nationwide survey by Justice in Aging concluded that ten states have laws requiring dementia training for law enforcement personnel, and one state requires dementia training for emergency medical technicians.

     The legislature notes that six in ten people having dementia will wander and a person diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease may not remember his or her name or address and can become disoriented, even in familiar places.  When individuals having dementia are lost, they may show signs of anxiety, fear, or hostility, all of which can escalate to more aggressive behaviors.  As the disease progresses and individuals having dementia forget family members and societal norms, there may be incidents of false police reports and victimization, indecent exposure, and shoplifting.  People having Alzheimer's disease may appear uncooperative, disruptive, and combative when they have difficulty communicating and understanding what is happening.  Furthermore, first responders may not know how to assist people in these situations, leading to more confusion.

     The legislature believes that providing education related to dementia and training in de-escalation tactics for firefighters, emergency medical technicians, and other first responders can often effectively address these types of situations and ensure the safety of the first responders and the individuals having dementia.

     The purpose of this Act is to require the development and provision of dementia training to first responders.

     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 employers of first responders shall develop and provide dementia training for first responders.  The training required under this section shall include:

     (1)  Recognizing the key signs of Alzheimer's disease and related types of dementia;

     (2)  Strategies for assessing cognition;

     (3)  Best practices for interacting with persons having Alzheimer's disease and related types of dementia; and

     (4)  Strategies to best identify and intervene in situations where persons having Alzheimer's disease and related types of dementia may be at particular risk of abuse or neglect.

     (b)  The training required under this section shall be offered at no cost to the applicable first responders and shall be funded by private contributions from relevant non-profit organizations.

     (c)  The executive office on aging 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, including entering into agreements or memoranda of agreement with nonprofit organizations to provide funding pursuant to subsection (b).

     (d)  The employers of first responders may utilize existing educational and training resources available in the public and private sectors when developing the training required under this section.

     (e)  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.  New statutory material is underscored.

     SECTION 4.  This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2060.

 

Report Title:

Dementia Training; Alzheimer's Disease; Dementia; First Responders; Executive Office on Aging

 

Description:

Requires the employers of first responders to develop and provide dementia training to first responders.  Permits the executive office on aging to set standards, frequency, and coordination of dementia training.  Effective 7/1/2060.  (HD1)

 

 

 

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