Section § 1568.15

Explanation

This law outlines the responsibilities of the Secretary of California Health and Human Services in managing and coordinating programs for people with Alzheimer's disease and related disorders. The Secretary's duties include providing state-level support to relevant programs, forming an advisory committee on Alzheimer's disease, and reviewing recommendations from past reports and state plans, with input from state departments and the advisory committee.

The Secretary of California Health and Human Services shall be responsible for the oversight and coordination of programs serving people living with Alzheimer’s disease and related disorders and their families. This responsibility shall include, but not be limited to:
(a)CA Health & Safety Code § 1568.15(a) State level support and assistance to all programs within the Health and Human Services Agency and member departments developed for this target population.
(b)CA Health & Safety Code § 1568.15(b) Establishment of the Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Disorders Advisory Committee pursuant to Section 1568.17.
(c)CA Health & Safety Code § 1568.15(c) Review of the recommendations contained in the 1987 California Alzheimer’s Disease Task Force Report and subsequent state plans, in consultation with appropriate state departments and the Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Disorders Advisory Committee.

Section § 1568.17

Explanation

The California Health and Human Services Agency is required to form an Alzheimer's Disease and Related Conditions Advisory Committee. This committee will have 17-21 members from various fields such as medical and social research, behavioral health, and Alzheimer's-focused organizations, among others. Family members and those diagnosed with Alzheimer's are included too. Members serve at the agency secretary's discretion and aren't paid but get travel expenses reimbursed.

The committee advises on program needs and policies related to Alzheimer's disease, reviews state practices, and suggests improvements, focusing on diverse communities. They consider factors like community-based support, care options, public health management, and awareness. The committee meets quarterly and engages with various stakeholders, including those affected by Alzheimer's, healthcare professionals, and diverse community representatives. Meetings are open to the public with adequate notice.

(a)CA Health & Safety Code § 1568.17(a) The California Health and Human Services Agency shall establish an Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Conditions Advisory Committee representing the diversity of California and that consists of at least 17, but not more than 21, members, which shall include, but not be limited to, all of the following:
(1)CA Health & Safety Code § 1568.17(a)(1) One representing the field of academic medical research.
(2)CA Health & Safety Code § 1568.17(a)(2) One representing the field of social research.
(3)CA Health & Safety Code § 1568.17(a)(3) One representing the field of behavioral health.
(4)CA Health & Safety Code § 1568.17(a)(4) One representing organizations providing adult day care services focused on persons living with Alzheimer’s disease or related conditions.
(5)CA Health & Safety Code § 1568.17(a)(5) One representing the California Alzheimer’s Disease Centers.
(6)CA Health & Safety Code § 1568.17(a)(6) Two representing families of persons directly affected by Alzheimer’s disease or related conditions.
(7)CA Health & Safety Code § 1568.17(a)(7) Two representing organizations providing services to persons living with Alzheimer’s disease or related conditions.
(8)CA Health & Safety Code § 1568.17(a)(8) One representing a consumer organization representing persons with Alzheimer’s disease or related conditions.
(9)CA Health & Safety Code § 1568.17(a)(9) One representing a member of the State Bar who is familiar with the legal issues confronting those living with Alzheimer’s disease or related conditions and their families.
(10)CA Health & Safety Code § 1568.17(a)(10) Two people who have been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease or a related condition.
(11)CA Health & Safety Code § 1568.17(a)(11) The Executive Director of the California Commission on Aging or the director’s designee.
(12)CA Health & Safety Code § 1568.17(a)(12) The Secretary of California Health and Human Services or their designee.
(13)CA Health & Safety Code § 1568.17(a)(13) Two ex officio, nonvoting members, consisting of one Senator appointed by the Senate Committee on Rules and one Member of the Assembly appointed by the Speaker of the Assembly. These members shall participate in the activities of the committee to the extent that their participation is not incompatible with their respective positions as Members of the Legislature.
(14)CA Health & Safety Code § 1568.17(a)(14) Up to four additional members selected by the Secretary of California Health and Human Services.
(b)CA Health & Safety Code § 1568.17(b) Members described in paragraphs (1) to (11), inclusive, and paragraph (14), of subdivision (a) shall serve at the pleasure of the Secretary of California Health and Human Services. Members described in paragraph (13) of subdivision (a) shall serve at the pleasure of their appointing authority. The agency secretary may establish fixed terms for advisory committee membership. For purposes of continuity, those terms shall be staggered.
(c)CA Health & Safety Code § 1568.17(c) Members shall serve without compensation, but shall receive reimbursement for travel and other necessary expenses actually incurred in the performance of their official duties.
(d)CA Health & Safety Code § 1568.17(d) The Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Conditions Advisory Committee shall do all of the following:
(1)CA Health & Safety Code § 1568.17(d)(1) Provide ongoing advice and assistance to the administration and the Legislature as to the program needs and priorities of the target population.
(2)CA Health & Safety Code § 1568.17(d)(2) Provide planning support to the administration and the Legislature by tracking, monitoring, and considering recommendations made in the final report of the Governor’s Task Force on Alzheimer’s (Disease) Prevention and Preparedness, and the California Master Plan for Aging, in addition to other state plans and reports, including the California State Plan for Alzheimer’s Disease, as needed.
(3)CA Health & Safety Code § 1568.17(d)(3) Appoint a chairperson and vice chairperson.
(4)CA Health & Safety Code § 1568.17(d)(4) Meet quarterly.
(e)CA Health & Safety Code § 1568.17(e) The Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Conditions Advisory Committee shall do all of the following when making policy and plan recommendations:
(1)CA Health & Safety Code § 1568.17(e)(1) Consult with a broad range of stakeholders, including, but not limited to, people diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease or related conditions, family members or informal caregivers, community-based and institutional providers, Alzheimer’s disease or related conditions researchers and academicians, direct care workforce, the Alzheimer’s Association, the California Commission on Aging, and other state entities.
(2)CA Health & Safety Code § 1568.17(e)(2) Consider cultural and linguistic factors that impact persons with Alzheimer’s disease or related conditions and their families who are from diverse communities.
(3)CA Health & Safety Code § 1568.17(e)(3) Review current state policies and practices concerning care and treatment related to Alzheimer’s disease and other related conditions, as well as risk reduction, and develop recommendations concerning all of the following issues:
(A)CA Health & Safety Code § 1568.17(e)(3)(A) Community-based support for California’s racially, ethnically, culturally, and linguistically diverse people living with Alzheimer’s disease or related conditions and their family members or informal caregivers.
(B)CA Health & Safety Code § 1568.17(e)(3)(B) Choices for care and residence for persons with Alzheimer’s disease or related conditions and their families.
(C)CA Health & Safety Code § 1568.17(e)(3)(C) An integrated public health care management approach to Alzheimer’s disease or related conditions in health care settings that makes full use of dementia care practices.
(D)CA Health & Safety Code § 1568.17(e)(3)(D) The dementia training and competence of health care professionals.
(E)CA Health & Safety Code § 1568.17(e)(3)(E) Risk reduction, early identification, and intervention through increasing public awareness of Alzheimer’s disease and related conditions, as well as brain health.
(f)CA Health & Safety Code § 1568.17(f)  All meetings of the advisory committee, and any subcommittees thereof, shall be open to the public and adequate notice shall be provided in accordance with Article 9 (commencing with Section 11120) of Chapter 1 of Part 1 of Division 3 of Title 2 of the Government Code.