BILL ANALYSIS

H.B. 3428

By: Capriglione

Human Services

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Given the unique role that employees of the adult protective services division of the Department of Family and Protective Services play in the lives of vulnerable older adults, there have been calls to ensure that these employees are adequately trained on identifying and interacting with individuals who have Alzheimer's disease or dementia. H.B. 3428 seeks to provide for that training.

CRIMINAL JUSTICE IMPACT

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly create a criminal offense, increase the punishment for an existing criminal offense or category of offenses, or change the eligibility of a person for community supervision, parole, or mandatory supervision.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency, or institution.

ANALYSIS

H.B. 3428 amends the Human Resources Code to require the Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS) to develop a training program for certain employees of the DFPS adult protective services division on identifying and interacting with individuals who have Alzheimer's disease or dementia that is in addition to, but may be provided in conjunction with, the regular training and continuing education required for division employees. The bill sets out requirements for the content of the training and authorizes the division to use a training program developed or adopted by the Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) or the Department of State Health Services (DSHS) if the program is equivalent to or more extensive than the program requirements set out by the bill. The bill requires the division to provide training that complies with another state law or a federal law or regulation that requires training on Alzheimer's disease or dementia that is more rigorous or extensive than the training required under the bill's provisions. The bill requires DFPS to develop or approve the Alzheimer's disease and dementia training program and begin providing the initial training to all applicable existing and newly hired employees as soon as practicable after the bill's effective date.

H.B. 3428 requires an area agency on aging to ensure that its employees or volunteers who provide services directly to an elderly individual or the individual's family members or caregivers receive training on Alzheimer's disease and dementia and sets out requirements for such training. The bill authorizes the agency to provide the training through a course developed by the agency or a course that is available from DFPS, HHSC, DSHS, or an entity that is involved in education or services relating to Alzheimer's disease or dementia.

EFFECTIVE DATE

September 1, 2019.