§2018.8. Alzheimer's and Related Dementias Advisory Council; composition; purpose

            A. There is hereby established within the Louisiana Department of Health the Louisiana Alzheimer's and Related Dementias Advisory Council, referred to in this Section as the "council".

            B. The council shall consist of the following twenty-two members:

            (1) A person with Alzheimer's disease or related dementia appointed by the governor. If the governor is unable to identify a person with Alzheimer's disease or related dementia, the governor shall appoint a second caregiver of a person with Alzheimer's disease or related dementia.

            (2) A caregiver of a person with Alzheimer's disease or related dementia appointed by the governor.

            (3) A representative of the nursing facility industry appointed by the governor.

            (4) A representative of the assisted living industry appointed by the governor.

            (5) A representative of the adult day services industry appointed by the governor.

            (6) A physician specializing in neurology or geriatic care appointed by the governor.

            (7) A representative from the rural health community appointed by the governor.

            (8) A representative from an organization representing senior citizens appointed by the governor.

            (9) A representative of the governor's office of elderly affairs Louisiana Ombudsman Program appointed by the governor.

            (10) The executive director of the Alzheimer's Association, Louisiana Chapter or his designee.

            (11) The assistant secretary of the office of behavioral health or his designee.

            (12) The assistant secretary of the office of aging and adult services or his designee.

            (13) The assistant secretary of the office of public health or his designee.

            (14) The assistant secretary of the office of citizens with developmental disabilities or his designee.

            (15) The Medicaid executive director or his designee.

            (16) The executive director of the governor's office of elderly affairs or his designee.

            (17) The secretary of the Louisiana Department of Veterans Affairs or his designee.

            (18) The executive director of the Louisiana Commission on Law Enforcement or his designee.

            (19) The executive director of the Louisiana Workforce Commission or his designee.

            (20) A representative from the home health industry who has experience with dementia.

            (21) Two representatives from academic research institutions in Louisiana that conduct dementia disease research appointed by the governor.

            C. Members of the council shall serve four-year terms, concurrent with the term of the governor. Members are eligible for reappointment. Any designee shall serve at the pleasure of the designating authority.

            D. Council members shall not receive compensation or a per diem for their services or attendance at council meetings, except for those travel-related expenses already provided for by their agency.

            E. The chairman shall be elected by the council for a term to be determined by the council. No member shall serve more than two consecutive terms as chairman.

            F. The council may establish subcommittees and appoint persons outside of the council to these bodies as it considers necessary and appropriate to carry out its duties.

            G. The council shall hold its initial meeting no later than November 1, 2024. The council shall meet at least quarterly each calendar year and at any other times as it considers necessary.

            H. The Louisiana Department of Health shall provide support for the council, including staff, facilities, and resources to facilitate remote participation in meetings to the extent authorized by law.

            I. The council shall do all of the following:

            (1) Conduct a review and assessment of the current status of Alzheimer's disease and other forms of dementia in this state, including:

            (a) Trends in the state's Alzheimer's population and needs, including the changing population with dementia.

            (b) Existing policies regarding dementia.

            (c) Program utilization among people living with dementia.

            (2) Submit a summary of the findings of the review and assessment to the Louisiana Department of Health.

            (3) Review the existing five-year statewide plan to address Alzheimer's disease and related dementias prepared by the Louisiana Department of Health.

            (4) Submit recommendations to the Louisiana Department of Health on revisions to the five-year statewide plan and recommendations on implementation of initiatives to address Alzheimer's disease and related dementias. The recommendations shall address topics including but not limited to all of the following:

(a) Gaps identified in the review and assessment.

            (b) Access to care, support, and treatment.

            (c) Quality of care for people living with dementia.

            (d) Risk reduction, early detection, and diagnosis.

            (e) Coordinated statewide response to Alzheimer's disease and related dementias.

            J. The Louisiana Department of Health shall consider all recommendations from the council and shall update the five-year statewide plan. The Louisiana Department of Health, on behalf of the council, shall submit the updated five-year statewide plan to the governor and the legislature every five years.

            K. The council shall submit an annual written report on the progress of the five-year statewide plan to the governor and the legislature no later than November first of each year.

            Acts 2024, No. 121, §2, eff. May 22, 2024.