2022 -- H 7793

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LC004872

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2022

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A N   A C T

RELATING TO HEALTH AND SAFETY -- ALZHEIMER'S DISEASE AND RELATED

DISORDERS OMBUDSPERSON ACT OF 2022

     

     Introduced By: Representatives Ackerman, McNamara, Serpa, Bennett, Kazarian, and
Fogarty

     Date Introduced: March 03, 2022

     Referred To: House Finance

     It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

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     SECTION 1. Title 23 of the General Laws entitled "HEALTH AND SAFETY" is hereby

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amended by adding thereto the following chapter:

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CHAPTER 1.6

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ALZHEIMER'S DISEASE AND RELATED DISORDERS OMBUDSPERSON ACT OF 2022

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     23-1.6-1. Short title.

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     This chapter shall be known and may be cited as the "Alzheimer's disease and related

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disorders ombudsperson act of 2022".

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     23-1.6-2. Program established.

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     There is established a program of the Alzheimer's disease and related disorders

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ombudsperson to be administratively attached to the department of health.

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     23-1.6-3. Alzheimer's disease and related disorders ombudsperson.

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     The department of health shall establish the position(s) of Alzheimer's disease and related

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disorders ombudsperson for the purpose of advocating on behalf of Alzheimer's disease and other

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related disorders individuals and their families in coordinating their care with the appropriate

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medical and social care agencies in conjunction with chapter 1.7 of this title entitled "Rhode Island

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program to address Alzheimer's disease", particularly with regard to the provisions of ยง 23-1.7-1

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relating to the assessment of all state programs that address Alzheimer's disease and the state plan

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for Alzheimer's disease and related disorders to be developed, carried out, maintained and annually

 

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updated by the director of the department of health.

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     23-1.6-4. Powers and duties.

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     The Alzheimer's disease and related disorders ombudsperson shall:

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     (1) Provide referral services to assist individuals suffering from Alzheimer's disease and

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related disorders in protecting their health, safety, welfare and rights;

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     (2) Advocate on behalf of individuals suffering from Alzheimer's disease and related

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disorders to improve their quality of life and implement and coordinate resources to assist the

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individual to live with dignity and respect; and

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     (3) Coordinate care for individuals suffering from Alzheimer's disease and related

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disorders with the appropriate medical and social care agencies, resources and services needed for

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their treatment and care.

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     23-1.6-5. Confidentiality.

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     The files maintained by the Alzheimer's disease and related disorders ombudsperson

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program are confidential and shall be disclosed only with the written consent of the individual

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affected or his or her legal representative, or if any disclosure is required by court order.

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     23-1.6-6. Cooperation required.

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     The Alzheimer's disease and other related disorders ombudsperson may request from any

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government agency, and the agency is directed and authorized to provide any cooperation and

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assistance, services and data that will enable the Alzheimer's disease and other related disorders

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ombudsperson to properly perform or exercise any of his or her functions, duties and powers under

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this chapter.

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     23-1.6-7. Rules and regulations.

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     The director of the department of health shall promulgate and, from time to time, revise

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rules and regulations for the implementation and enforcement of the Alzheimer's disease and

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related disorders ombudsperson program.

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     23-1.6-8. Severability.

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     If any provision of this chapter or any rule or regulation made under this chapter, or the

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application of any provision of this chapter to any person or circumstance shall be held invalid by

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any court of competent jurisdiction, the remainder of the chapter, rule or regulation and the

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application of such provision to other persons or circumstances shall not be affected thereby. The

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invalidity of any section or sections or parts of any section of this chapter shall not affect the validity

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of the remainder of this chapter.

 

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     SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.

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EXPLANATION

BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

OF

A N   A C T

RELATING TO HEALTH AND SAFETY -- ALZHEIMER'S DISEASE AND RELATED

DISORDERS OMBUDSPERSON ACT OF 2022

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     This act would establish the program of the Alzheimer's disease and related disorders

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ombudsperson to be administratively attached to the department of health (DOH) to assist

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individuals suffering with Alzheimer's disease and related disorders by advocating on their behalf

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and coordinating their medical and social services care.

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     This act would take effect upon passage.

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LC004872

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