| Chapter 379 |
| 2025 -- H 5619 Enacted 07/01/2025 |
| A N A C T |
| RELATING TO HEALTH AND SAFETY -- RHODE ISLAND PROGRAM TO ADDRESS ALZHEIMER’S DISEASE |
Introduced By: Representatives Ackerman, McNamara, Shallcross Smith, Casimiro, Dawson, McEntee, Bennett, Donovan, Cotter, and Fogarty |
| Date Introduced: February 26, 2025 |
| It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows: |
| SECTION 1. Chapter 23-1.7 of the General Laws entitled "Rhode Island Program to |
| Address Alzheimer’s Disease" is hereby amended by adding thereto the following section: |
| 23-1.7-7. Education and outreach regarding brain health and dementia. |
| (a) The department of health, in consultation with the advisory council created pursuant to |
| § 23-1.7-2, shall incorporate information about brain health, dementia risk factors and risk |
| reduction, Alzheimer’s disease, and other dementias into existing public health outreach programs |
| to: |
| (1) Increase public understanding and awareness of: |
| (i) Brain health and dementia risk reduction; |
| (ii) Early warning signs of Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias; |
| (iii) The value of early detection and timely diagnosis; and |
| (iv) The relationship between Alzheimer’s disease, dementia, and other chronic health |
| conditions. |
| (2) Ensure public awareness and outreach programs: |
| (i) Provide clear, uniform guidance in nonclinical terms; and |
| (ii) Prioritize populations at greater risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease and other |
| dementias. |
| (b) The department of health, in consultation with the advisory council created pursuant to |
| § 23-1.7-2, shall incorporate information about brain health, dementia risk factors and risk |
| reduction, Alzheimer’s disease, and other dementias into existing healthcare provider education |
| and outreach programs to educate providers regarding: |
| (1) The importance of risk reduction, early detection, and timely diagnosis of cognitive |
| impairment and dementia; |
| (2) Validated assessment tools for the detection and diagnosis of cognitive impairment; |
| (3) The value of validated cognitive assessment tools during Medicare annual wellness |
| visits; and |
| (4) Medicare care planning billing codes for individuals with cognitive impairment, |
| provision of effective care planning, and available treatments. |
| SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage. |
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| LC001918 |
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