Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Dementia Education topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Panel advances bill to create optional high-school module on Alzheimer’s and healthy aging
Summary
Senate File 1355 would encourage schools to adopt a voluntary health curriculum module on healthy aging and Alzheimer’s disease for grades 6–12; the committee laid the bill over for possible inclusion in the omnibus education bill after testimony from the Alzheimer’s Association and student advocates.
St. Paul — Senate File 1355, carried by Sen. Amanda Bolden, would create an optional health curriculum module on healthy aging and Alzheimer’s disease for grades 6–12 and direct the Departments of Health and Education to partner with the Alzheimer's Association to develop materials. The committee laid the bill over for possible inclusion in the omnibus education bill on Feb. 19 after supportive testimony.
Why it matters: Advocates said dementia education can reduce stigma, prepare students to identify warning signs, and equip young people with strategies to reduce future dementia risk and support family caregivers. Testimony emphasized the growing number of Minnesotans living with Alzheimer's and the financial and emotional cost to families.
Sen. Amanda Bolden opened the item with statewide statistics and the stated goal of equipping young people with knowledge to support older family members. Robert Freeman, vice president of public policy for the Alzheimer's Association (Minnesota and North Dakota chapter), read testimony from a high school student who said dementia education would prepare future caregivers and health-care workers. "By equipping our students with the knowledge and understanding of this condition, we're investing in a future generation well prepared to contribute to the well-being of our society," the student's prepared remarks said, read into the record by Freeman.
Committee members were broadly supportive. Sen. Abler described the bill as a "non mandate mandate" and said it could prompt students to adopt risk-reducing life choices. Sen. Cooney raised the link between math instruction and healthy aging as a rhetorical point but emphasized support for the bill's goals and its potential value for students entering health-care careers. The sponsor said the module would be voluntary for districts.
Outcome and next steps: The committee laid Senate File 1355 over for possible inclusion in the omnibus education bill. Committee members and witnesses stressed the bill is voluntary and meant to be a classroom resource rather than a mandate.
What was not decided: The bill sets no implementation timeline or funding in the committee discussion, and materials would be developed through interagency cooperation if the bill advances.
