Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Elder Care Training topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Committee advances SB 412 to require Alzheimer’s and dementia training for affiliated home care aides
Summary
The Assembly Committee on Human Services voted to send SB 412, as amended, to the Assembly Appropriations Committee. The bill would add Alzheimer's and dementia care to training requirements for affiliated home care aides; supporters said the change would create a consistent baseline of training across providers.
The Assembly Committee on Human Services on Wednesday voted to pass SB 412, as amended, to the Assembly Appropriations Committee, advancing a measure that would require Alzheimer’s and dementia care as part of the training curriculum for affiliated home care aides. The committee recorded a final vote of 7 to 0 on the item.
Senator Monique Limone presented SB 412 to the panel, saying the bill "better prepares affiliated home care aids to handle challenges with caregiving for an individual with Alzheimer's disease." Limone cited Alzheimer’s Association data during her remarks and noted the bill’s committee amendments were acceptable to the author.
The bill’s supporters told the committee they had personal and professional experience with inconsistent caregiver training. Heidi Bonnet, a volunteer advocate with the Alzheimer’s Association, described caring for her late husband at home and the variability she found among hired aides: “I would have had greater peace of mind if I'd known there was some level of consistent baseline training about Alzheimer's and dementia caregiving among home care aids,” Bonnet said.
Tony Gonzalez, representing the Home Care Association of America, told the committee many member agencies already provide dementia training but that SB 412 would ensure a consistent baseline across all affiliated aides. Andrew Mendoza of the Alzheimer’s Association offered technical assistance to staff.
Other organizations that registered support included Alzheimer’s Los Angeles, Alzheimer’s San Diego, Alzheimer’s Orange County, AARP and the California State Association of Psychiatrists. No witnesses testified in opposition at the hearing.
During committee discussion several members expressed personal connections to dementia care and support for the measure. Assemblymember Calderon asked to be added as a coauthor. The motion to pass, recorded in the transcript as moved and seconded, carried unanimously. The committee clerk announced the bill would be referred to the Assembly Appropriations Committee.
If enacted, SB 412 would require affiliated home care aides—those employed by home care organizations—to receive specified instruction on Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias as part of existing training requirements. The bill text, as discussed, and specific hour counts or curriculum details were not specified in the hearing record.
Supporters said the change aims to reduce variability in caregiver preparedness for people living with dementia and to give families greater confidence when hiring aides. The committee did not take up other amendments or fiscal action at the hearing; next steps are consideration in the Assembly Appropriations Committee.
