HB461 Alabama 2024 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Ginny ShaverRepresentative

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2024

Title

Department of Senior Services, Dementia Services Coordinator created within

Summary

The bill creates a new Dementia Services Coordinator within the Department of Senior Services to lead dementia-related planning, coordination, and education in Alabama.

What This Bill Does

It establishes a full-time Dementia Services Coordinator, sets the salary to be determined by the Department's Commissioner, and exempts the position from certain state pay rules. The coordinator would evaluate and coordinate dementia services, analyze related data and grant opportunities, coordinate information and resources, provide staff training, streamline state services, and oversee the State Plan for Alzheimer's and related dementias. The coordinator would also coordinate work groups and report annual activities to the Senate and House health committees; the act takes effect October 1, 2024.

Who It Affects

• Residents living with dementia and their caregivers, who would benefit from better-coordinated services and access to dementia-related programs.
• The Department of Senior Services, which would add a new full-time Dementia Services Coordinator with salary set by the Commissioner.
• Other state agencies, providers, and organizations in Alabama, which would coordinate dementia-related information, resources, and training.
• Law enforcement, public health personnel, and other state employees who would receive dementia-specific training and coordination.

Key Provisions

• Creates the Dementia Services Coordinator position within the Department of Senior Services; full-time and compensated; salary fixed by the Commissioner and not subject to Section 36-6-6.
• Outlines duties including evaluating coordination of dementia services and related data; coordinating information and resources; establishing relationships with agencies; supporting training across state agencies; recommending strategies to improve coordination; streamlining government services; and overseeing dementia-related work groups and the State Plan.
• Requires the Coordinator to prepare and submit an annual report of activities to the chairs of the Senate Healthcare Committee and the House Health Committee by the first day of each regular legislative session.
• Effective date: October 1, 2024; adds Section 38-2-26 to the Code of Alabama 1975 to create the position and its duties.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 22, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Elderly & Disabled Persons