HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES	H.B. NO.	1283
THIRTY-FIRST LEGISLATURE, 2021		H.D. 1
STATE OF HAWAII		S.D. 1

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 responder personnel 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 responder personnel can often effectively address these types of situations and ensure the safety of the first responder personnel and the individuals having dementia.

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

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 responder personnel; dementia training. (a) The employers of first responder personnel may obtain dementia training for first responder personnel, which may 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 shall be offered at no cost to the applicable first responder personnel and shall be funded by private contributions from relevant non-profit organizations.

(c) The executive office on aging may coordinate the training schedules and standards, as necessary, with all public and private entities and agencies responsible for services provided by first responder personnel, including entering into agreements or memoranda of agreement with nonprofit organizations to provide funding pursuant to subsection (b).

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

SECTION 3. New statutory material is underscored.

SECTION 4. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2050.

Report Title:

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

Description:

Permits the employers of first responder personnel to obtain dementia training for first responder personnel. Permits the executive office on aging to coordinate the dementia training schedules and standards with all public and private entities and agencies responsible for services provided by first responder personnel. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

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