House Bill 528 Alabama 2026 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Arnold MooneyRepresentative

Republican

Session

2026 Regular Session

Title

Alabama Department of Public Health; Alabama Dementia Network created, implementation by the department provided for, data collection and public reporting required

Summary

The bill creates the Alabama Dementia Network within the Department of Public Health to coordinate education, diagnosis, referral, and support for dementia, with data collection and annual public reporting.

What This Bill Does

It establishes a statewide network under the Alabama Department of Public Health, designates hubs for clinical education, diagnostic services, family support, and ongoing referrals, and requires rules for administering the program (including eligibility, care plan standards, telehealth use, and privacy protections). It also requires partnering with other state agencies, local health departments, nonprofits, and higher education or research entities to implement and manage the program, with data sharing where allowed. It requires data collection to measure effectiveness and an annual public report on activities, outcomes, and recommendations, published on the department's website.

Who It Affects

• People living with dementia and caregivers would gain improved access to education, early identification, diagnosis, care, and ongoing referrals through designated hubs and coordinated services.
• Health systems, academic medical centers, local health departments, nonprofits, and higher education institutions participating in the program would follow eligibility, program, and operational requirements and participate in partnerships and data sharing.

Key Provisions

• Establishes the Alabama Dementia Network within the Department of Public Health to coordinate dementia education, early identification, diagnosis, referral, and caregiver support.
• Designates hubs to provide clinical education, diagnostic services, family support, and ongoing referrals.
• Authorizes the department to adopt rules governing eligibility, participation standards for health systems and academic centers, care plan standards, telehealth use, and data collection/privacy protections.
• Requires the department to partner with other state agencies, local health departments, nonprofits, and higher education or research entities to implement and administer the program.
• Requires collection of data to measure effectiveness, reach, and outcomes and annual public reporting on activities, outcomes, and recommendations, accessible on the department's website.
• Provides that funding is not required by law; may be supported by federal funds, grants, public-private partnerships, or legislative appropriations.
• Effective date: October 1, 2026.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 26, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Health