As Reported by the House Health Committee

133rd General Assembly

Regular Session H. B. No. 265

2019-2020

A BILL

To enact sections 173.07, 173.071, 173.072, and 173.073 of the Revised Code to create a dementia care certificate.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF OHIO:

Section 1. That sections 173.07, 173.071, 173.072, and 173.073 of the Revised Code be enacted to read as follows:

Sec. 173.07. (A) As used in this section and sections 173.071 to 173.073 of the Revised Code, "dementia" includes Alzheimer's disease or a related disorder.

(B) The department of aging shall issue a certificate in dementia care to an individual if all of the following requirements are satisfied:

(1) The individual has submitted to the department a completed application for the certificate as specified in rules adopted by the department under section 173.073 of the Revised Code.

(2) The individual has completed a course of study in dementia care that has been approved by the department under section 173.071 of the Revised Code.

(3) The individual has paid to the department a license fee in the amount specified in rules adopted by the department under section 173.073 of the Revised Code.

(C) A certificate in dementia care shall certify that the individual to whom it was issued has met the requirements of this section and any rules adopted under section 173.073 of the Revised Code and is certified while the certificate is valid.

Sec. 173.071. (A) The department of aging shall review and approve training and education programs for dementia care. An approved program is one that the department has identified as providing the requisite education and experience necessary to qualify an individual for a certificate in dementia care.

(B) The department shall develop a list of approved dementia care training and education programs. The department shall organize the list by health care professional type and may require programs to meet different criteria depending on the professional type. A person may contact the department to seek approval for a dementia care training or education program.

(1) Expectations of health care providers when caring for individuals with dementia;

(2) Person-centered training and care planning, including cultural awareness;

(3) Social and physical environment characteristics that trigger or exacerbate behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia;

(4) Meaningful and engaging activities for individuals with dementia;

(5) Pain assessment;

(6) Medication management;

(7) Family dynamics for families with a member who has dementia;

(8) General information about dementia;

(9) How to assist an individual with dementia with daily living activities, including evaluating preferences and goals;

(10) Problem-solving challenging behavior from an individual with dementia, including nonpharmacological intervention;

(11) Communication skills relating to individuals with dementia.

Sec. 173.072. No person shall knowingly use any of the following unless the person holds a certificate in dementia care:

(A) The title "certified in dementia care," "dementia practitioner," "certified Alzheimer's disease practitioner," or "certified in Alzheimer's care";

(B) The acronym "CDC," "DP," "CADP," or "CAC," after the person's name;

(C) Any other words, letters, signs, cards, or devices that tend to indicate or imply that the person is certified in dementia care.

Sec. 173.073. The department shall adopt rules under section 173.02 of the Revised Code as necessary to implement the provisions of sections 173.07 to 173.072 of the Revised Code. The rules shall specify all of the following with respect to the certificate in dementia care:

(A) The form and manner by which an individual is to apply for and renew the certificate;

(B) Any application and renewal fees for the certificate;

(D) Any provisions for suspension or revocation of the certificate;

(E) Penalties for violations of section 173.072 of the Revised Code;

(F) Anything else necessary to implement sections 173.07 to 173.072 of the Revised Code.

Section 2. Section 1 of this act shall take effect six months after this act's effective date.