Rhode Island HB 7232: AN ACT RELATING TO HEALTH AND SAFETY - ALZHEIMER'S DISEASE AND RELATED DISORDERS OMBUDSPERSON ACT OF 2020 (Establishes Alzheimer's disease/related disorders ombudsperson program in DOH to advocate for/assist individuals in coordinating medical/social services care.)

Bill Text

2020 -- H 7232 
======== 
LC003007 
======== 
S T A T E     O F     R H O D E     I S L A N D 
IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY 
JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2020 
____________ 
 
A N   A C T 
RELATING TO HEALTH AND SAFETY - ALZHEIMER'S DISEASE AND RELATED 
DISORDERS OMBUDSPERSON ACT OF 2020 
Introduced By: Representatives Ackerman, McNamara, Serpa, Casimiro, and Shekarchi 
Date Introduced: January 22, 2020 
Referred To: House Health, Education &  Welfare 
 
 
It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows: 
SECTION 1. Title 23 of the General Laws entitled "HEALTH AND SAFETY" is hereby 1 
amended by adding thereto the following chapter: 2 
CHAPTER 1.6 3 
ALZHEIMER'S DISEASE AND RELATED DISORDERS OMBUDSPERSON ACT OF 2020 4 
23-1.6-1. Short title. 5 
This  chapter shall  be  known  and  may  be  cited  as  the  "Alzheimer's disease  and  related 6 
disorders ombudsperson act of 2020". 7 
23-1.6-2. Program established. 8 
There   is   established   a   program   of   the   Alzheimer's disease   and   related   disorders 9 
ombudsperson to be administratively attached to the department of health. 10 
23-1.6-3. Alzheimer's disease and related disorders ombudsperson. 11 
The department of health shall establish the position(s) of Alzheimer's disease and related 12 
disorders ombudsperson for the purpose of advocating on behalf of Alzheimer's disease and other 13 
related  disorders individuals  and  their  families  in  coordinating  their  care  with  the  appropriate 14 
medical  and  social  care  agencies  in  conjunction  with  chapter  1.7  of  this  title  entitled  "Rhode 15 
Island program to address Alzheimer's disease", particularly with regard to the provisions of § 23-16 
1.7-1  relating  to  the  assessment  of  all  state  programs  that  address  Alzheimer's  disease  and  the 17 
state  plan for Alzheimer's  disease and related  disorders to be developed, carried out, maintained 18 

 
 
 
LC003007 - Page 2 of 4 
and annually updated by the director of the department of health.  1 
23-1.6-4. Powers and duties. 2 
The Alzheimer's disease and related disorders ombudsperson shall: 3 
(1) Provide referral services to assist individuals suffering from Alzheimer's disease and 4 
related disorders in protecting their health, safety, welfare and rights; 5 
(2)  Advocate  on  behalf of  individuals  suffering  from  Alzheimer's  disease and  related 6 
disorders to  improve  their  quality  of  life  and implement  and  coordinate  resources  to  assist  the 7 
individual to live with dignity and respect; and 8 
(3)  Coordinate care  for  individuals  suffering  from  Alzheimer's  disease and  related 9 
disorders with the appropriate medical and social care agencies, resources and services needed for 10 
their treatment and care. 11 
23-1.6-5. Confidentiality. 12 
The  files  maintained  by  the  Alzheimer's disease  and  related  disorders  ombudsperson 13 
program  are  confidential  and  shall  be  disclosed  only  with  the  written  consent  of  the  individual 14 
affected or his or her legal representative, or if any disclosure is required by court order. 15 
23-1.6-6. Cooperation required. 16 
The Alzheimer's disease and other related disorders ombudsperson may request from any 17 
government  agency,  and  the  agency  is  directed  and  authorized  to  provide  any  cooperation  and 18 
assistance, services and  data that will enable the  Alzheimer's disease and  other related  disorders 19 
ombudsperson  to  properly  perform  or  exercise  any  of  his  or  her  functions,  duties  and  powers 20 
under this chapter. 21 
23-1.6-7. Rules and regulations. 22 
The director of the department of health shall promulgate and, from time to time, revise 23 
rules  and  regulations  for  the  implementation  and  enforcement  of  the  Alzheimer's disease  and 24 
related disorders ombudsperson program. 25 
23-1.6-8. Severability. 26 
If any provision of this chapter or any rule or regulation made under this chapter, or the 27 
application of any provision of this chapter to any person or circumstance shall be held invalid by 28 
any court  of  competent  jurisdiction,  the  remainder  of  the  chapter,  rule  or  regulation  and  the 29 
application of such provision to other persons or circumstances shall not be affected thereby. The 30 
invalidity  of  any  section  or  sections  or  parts  of  any  section  of  this  chapter  shall  not  affect  the 31 
validity of the remainder of this chapter.  32 

 
 
 
LC003007 - Page 3 of 4 
SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage. 1 
======== 
LC003007 
========

 
 
 
LC003007 - Page 4 of 4 
EXPLANATION 
BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL 
OF 
A N   A C T 
RELATING TO HEALTH AND SAFETY - ALZHEIMER'S DISEASE AND RELATED 
DISORDERS OMBUDSPERSON ACT OF 2020 
***
This  act  would establish  the  program  of  the  Alzheimer's  disease  and  related  disorders 1 
ombudsperson to  be administratively  attached  to  the  department  of  health (DOH)  to  assist 2 
individuals suff