Bill > SB555

This bill establishes the Dementia Services and Brain Health Program within the Maryland Department of Health to lead the state's public health initiatives concerning brain health and dementia, with the Director of Dementia Services and Brain Health overseeing this program. The bill shifts certain responsibilities from the Director to the Program itself, including providing staff support for the Virginia I. Jones Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Dementias Council (referred to as the "Council") and updating the Council quarterly on the Program's activities. The Program will now be responsible for coordinating the Department's approach to dementia and brain health, including public awareness, prevention, and early detection, as well as overseeing the implementation of the State Plan on Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Dementias. A significant new provision is the requirement for the Program to establish and maintain a Clinical Toolkit for Dementia Care by January 1, 2027, which will serve as a centralized resource for healthcare providers to assist them in caring for individuals at risk for or with dementia, covering topics such as risk factors, reduction strategies, early detection, assessment tools, disparities, person-centered care, care planning, and continuing education opportunities. The bill also mandates that the Program promote the use of this toolkit across various healthcare sectors and requires annual reviews and updates to its content. Additionally, the bill outlines specific funding appropriations for the Director's position and the Council for fiscal years 2023 through 2027 and beyond, and it specifies that the Act will take effect on October 1, 2026.

Budget and Finance

https://mgaleg.maryland.gov/mgawebsite/Legislation/Details/SB0555?ys=2026RS