HB549 Alabama 2019 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Laura HallRepresentative

Democrat

Session

Regular Session 2019

Title

Public Health, require Dept of Public Health to provide education to public regarding care for Alzheimer's and dementia patients, provide funding, Secs. 22-50-70, 22-50-71, 22-50-72, 22-50-73, 22-50-74 repealed

Summary

HB 549 creates a new public health program to educate about Alzheimer's and dementia care, shifts responsibility from Mental Health to the Department of Public Health, and funds in-home care services through the Education Trust Fund.

What This Bill Does

The Department of Public Health would develop educational programs and services about Alzheimer's, dementia, and related diseases for individuals, families, and the general public. Trained instructors would support families and home-care providers to promote long-term home care and reduce costs. It repeals existing dementia education laws and sets up funding and fee rules for implementing the act.

Who It Affects

• Individuals with Alzheimer's disease, dementia, or related diseases and their families/caregivers, who would receive education, services, and training to support living at home.
• The general public and health care providers who would have access to educational programs and resources, and the Department of Public Health which would administer, fund, and regulate the program (including potential fees and gifts).

Key Provisions

• Repeals Sections 22-50-70 through 22-50-74 of the Code, transferring dementia education and training authority from the Department of Mental Health to the Department of Public Health.
• Creates the Dementia Education and Training Act and outlines purposes to help individuals with Alzheimer's/dementia live at home, develop community-based services, address rural and urban needs, emphasize cost-efficient services, and allow services to be paid for based on resources.
• Requires the Department of Public Health to develop educational programs and may provide instructors to train families, home-care providers, and other caregivers, to support home-based care and reduce costs.
• Authorizes the Department to adopt rules to implement the act and enables funding from the Education Trust Fund for four years starting in 2019, with ongoing funding thereafter; allows gifts, grants, and fees from recipients who can pay, with fees used for the act.
• Effective October 1, 2019.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 24, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Health