Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Dementia Training topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Committee approves 1-hour dementia training for DCBS workers
Summary
The House Families and Children Committee voted unanimously to advance House Bill 479, which requires one hour of dementia training for Department for Community Based Services workers; training may be provided free by the Alzheimer’s Association or another qualifying provider and carries no fiscal note, lawmakers said.
House lawmakers on the House Standing Committee on Families and Children voted to advance House Bill 479, a measure that would require one hour of dementia training for Department for Community Based Services (DCBS) workers.
The bill’s sponsor, Representative Derek Lewis, said the requirement is straightforward and nonpartisan. “Dementia is not partisan,” Lewis told the committee, noting packets the Alzheimer’s Association provided that show county-level dementia prevalence. He said the statewide rate for people 65 and older was 10.4 percent.
The measure requires DCBS workers to complete a one-hour training that meets specified metrics; the Alzheimer’s Association may provide the training at no charge or another provider that meets the metrics may be used. Committee members were told the bill carries no fiscal impact or fiscal note.
Committee members spoke in support during the roll call. Representative Stocker and others offered personal remarks about the toll of dementia on families. The committee recorded an 11–0 favorable vote and the bill was recommended to the full House with a favorable expression.
Votes at a glance
• House Bill 479 — Motion to report favorably (mover: Representative Pollock; seconder: Representative Stocker). Committee vote: 11 yes, 0 no. Outcome: passed committee with favorable expression.
Status and context
Proponents said the training will help DCBS workers recognize signs of dementia and better serve families. The Alzheimer’s Association provided county-level statistics to committee members; no budgetary or implementation details beyond the one-hour requirement and allowable providers were specified in committee testimony.
