Georgia HB 238: Georgia Peace Officer Standards and Training Council; create and maintain an at-risk adult training course focusing on officer response to individuals with Alzheimer's disease or dementia

Bill Text

25LC 56 0262
House Bill 238
By: Representatives Lumsden of the 12
th
, Crowe of the 118
th
, Hitchens of the 161
st
, Gunter
of the 8
th
, and McDonald III of the 26
th
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
To amend Chapter 8 of Title 35 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to
1
employment and training of police officers, so as to require the Georgia Peace Officer2
Standards and Training Council to create and maintain an at-risk adult training course3
focusing on officer response to individuals with Alzheimer's disease or dementia; to provide4
for requirements for such course; to provide for collaborative course development with the5
Division of Aging Services; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for6
other purposes.7
BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF GEORGIA:8
SECTION 1.9
Chapter 8 of Title 35 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to employment and10
training of police officers, is amended by adding a new Code section to read as follows:11
"35-8-28.12
(a)  The council shall create and maintain an at-risk adult training course available to all13
peace officers relating to responding to at-risk adults, including those individuals living14
with Alzheimer's disease or other form dementia.15
(b)  Such training course shall, at a minimum, provide training in:16
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25LC 56 0262
(1)  Investigating criminal violations involving benefits trafficking and related offenses;
17
(2)  Investigating criminal violations involving the abuse, neglect, or exploitation of a18
disabled adult or elder person;19
(3)  Responding to reports of missing persons;20
(4)  Interacting with victims of abuse, neglect, and exploitation in a victim centered and21
trauma informed way; and22
(5)  Certain aspects of Alzheimer's disease and other forms of dementia and cognitive23
impairment, including;24
(A)  Instruction in interacting with persons with Alzheimer's disease and other forms25
of dementia;26
(B)  Techniques for recognizing the behavioral symptoms and characteristics of27
Alzheimer's disease and other forms of dementia;28
(C)  Techniques for effective communication with persons with Alzheimer's disease and29
other forms of dementia;30
(D)  Techniques for employing alternatives to physical restraints; and31
(E)  Protocols for contacting caregivers when an individual with Alzheimer's disease32
or other form of dementia is found wandering or during an emergency situation.33
(c)  The training course provided for in this Code section shall be developed by the council34
in collaboration with forensic special initiatives unit of the Division of Aging of the35
Department of Human Services.36
(d)  The number of hours and specific curriculum required for the training course provided37
for in this Code section shall be at the discretion of council."38
SECTION 2.39
All laws and parts of laws in conflict with this Act are repealed.40
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