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Committee advances bill to create Alzheimer’s caregiver assistance fund
Summary
House Bill 717 would create a fund to support caregivers of people with Alzheimer’s disease; the committee moved the bill to finance with a unanimous vote and deferred a representative’s amendment to the finance committee.
House Bill 717, carried on behalf of Representative Jones and presented by Representative Hicks, would create a “Caring for Caregivers” fund to provide assistance for those caring for people with Alzheimer’s disease. The Government Operations Committee voted unanimously to send the measure to Finance, Ways and Means.
Representative Hicks told the committee the fund would be administered under rules promulgated by the commissioner in accordance with the Uniform Administrative Procedures Act. Representative Fritz and others expressed personal support, citing the heavy burden on families; Fritz described her own family experience with dementia and said she supported the bill. Committee members noted a fiscal note on the bill and signaled interest in finance‑committee review of funding details.
Representative Jones had filed an amendment but was not present; the committee chose to move the bill out unamended and allow Representative Jones to offer amendments in the Finance Committee. The committee recorded a roll call vote of 14 ayes and 0 nays and sent the bill to Finance, Ways and Means.
Why it matters: The bill would establish a dedicated fund to assist caregivers, a policy aimed at reducing financial strain on families caring for people with Alzheimer’s or other dementias. Committee discussion focused on implementation rules and the bill’s fiscal note; no expenditure details were resolved in the hearing.
