Senate hears SB 329 to add dementia training for first responders; supporters cite growing prevalence, some agencies request implementation details

Senate Bill 329, sponsored by Senator Edgar Flores, would require dementia‑specific training for first responders, including law enforcement, firefighters and emergency medical personnel. The sponsor and the Alzheimer's Association said the training is intended to improve frontline recognition and de‑escalation when responders encounter persons with Alzheimer's disease or other forms of dementia.

Ben Chaloner Mendez, director of public policy for the Alzheimer's Association (Nevada), said dementia is an umbrella term covering multiple conditions (Alzheimer's, Lewy body, frontotemporal dementia and others) and that approximately 55,000 Nevadans are estimated to have Alzheimer's or a related dementia. He told the committee that about half of people with dementia are undiagnosed, that dementia frequently causes disorientation or wandering and that trained responders are less likely to escalate encounters. The bill text directs agencies to incorporate dementia training developed with nationally recognized organizations, higher education institutions or state/federal entities and to treat the coursework as continuing education where relevant.

Supporters included AARP Nevada, the Nevada Psychiatric Association, caregiving advocates and family members who described personal experiences. Several local police and fire groups expressed concern in testimony and asked for clarity about training duration, frequency and certifying entities; the Nevada State Firefighters and local police managers said current training requirements and national curricula already address neurological conditions and asked that the statute not duplicate or overburden continuing‑education and academy schedules. Washoe and Clark counties said they were open to working on specific requirements. The sponsor agreed to a technical amendment to delay implementation (sponsors suggested an October 2026 implementation window) to allow agencies time to align training and curricula.

Committee members asked how training would relate to other causes of altered mental status and whether a dementia‑specific module would produce duplication. Supporters said the training focuses on recognition, communication and de‑escalation rather than clinical diagnosis; some public‑safety witnesses asked for parameters on course length and periodic recertification. The hearing closed with the sponsor committing to work with public‑safety agencies on technical language and timing.