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ARIZONA STATE SENATE
Fifty-Seventh Legislature, Second Regular Session
AMENDED
Alzheimer's disease state plan; appropriation
Purpose
Requires the Department of Health Services (DHS) to establish a dementia services program and develop an Alzheimer's disease state plan (plan). Appropriates $600,000 in FY 2027 from the Health Services Lottery Monies Fund to DHS for the dementia services program and the plan.
Background
DHS promotes and
protects the health of residents and provides and coordinates public health
services and programs for Arizona. Responsibilities of DHS include, but are not
limited to: 1) promoting the development, maintenance, efficiency and
effectiveness of local health departments or districts; 2) collecting and
tabulating all information required in reference to births; 3) conducting a
statewide health education program; 4) coordinating local programs concerning
control of preventable diseases, maternal and child health, nutrition and
dental health;
5) establishing and maintaining laboratories; 6) conducting continual
evaluations of state, local and district
public health programs; and 7) licensing and regulating health care
institutions (A.R.S.
§ 36-132).
Dementia is a general term that covers a wide range of specific medical conditions, including Alzheimer's disease. Disorders grouped under dementia are caused by abnormal brain changes that can trigger a decline in cognitive ability that may be severe enough to impair daily life, independent function and affect behavior, feelings and relationships (Alzheimer's Association).
Alzheimer's disease is a specific type of dementia that affects memory, thinking and behavior and accounts for 60 to 80 percent of all dementia cases. It is a progressive disease, where symptoms gradually worsen over multiple years. In the early stages, memory loss is mild, but in late-stage Alzheimer's, individuals lose the ability to carry on a conversation and respond to their environment. On average, a person with Alzheimer's lives between 4 and 8 years after diagnosis, but can live as long as 20 years, depending on other factors (Alzheimer's Association).
The State Lottery Fund consists of all revenues received from the sale of lottery tickets or shares, including revenues from outlined games, gaming fees and all other monies credited or transferred from any other fund or source. The Health Services Lottery Monies Fund is administered by DHS and consists of monies transferred from the State Lottery Fund, as allocated by statute, for teenage pregnancy prevention programs, the Health Start Program and the federal Women, Infants and Children Food Program (A.R.S. §§ 5-572 and 36-108.01).
There is no anticipated fiscal impact to the state General Fund (state GF) associated with this legislation.
Provisions
1. Designates DHS as the lead state agency to address Alzheimer's disease and related forms of dementia.
2. Requires the Director of DHS to establish a dementia services program within DHS that:
a) facilitates the coordination of programs relating to Alzheimer's disease and related forms of dementia in all state agencies;
b) facilitates the coordination, review, publication and implementation of and updates to the plan;
c) applies for public health funding and grants related to Alzheimer's disease and related forms of dementia; and
d) incorporates evidence-based brain health strategies into relevant DHS-led public health programs.
3. Requires DHS to develop a plan that assesses the current and future impact of Alzheimer's disease and related forms of dementia on the State of Arizona.
4. Requires the plan to assess and identify relevant gaps in:
a) existing state services and resources that address the needs of persons living with Alzheimer's disease or a related form of dementia and the persons' caretakers;
b) the needs of persons who have Alzheimer's disease or a related form of dementia and the persons' caregivers;
c) the state's public and private health systems, workforce and clinical capacity and capability to provide effective detection, diagnosis and treatment of Alzheimer's disease or a related form of dementia; and
d) the state's public and private nonmedical care and support services for persons living with Alzheimer's disease or a related form of dementia and the persons' caregivers.
5. Requires the plan to provide strategic recommendations with measurable goals for state action state action to do all of the following for persons living with Alzheimer's disease or a related form of dementia:
a) improve access to care, support, diagnostics and treatment;
b) improve the quality of dementia care, including crisis response, health care systems, long-term care and in-home care;
c) advance risk reduction and early detection awareness and brain health;
d) improve caregiver support, care planning and care coordination; and
e) improve the collection, availability and use of dementia-related data by state agencies.
6. Requires DHS to conduct stakeholder engagement sessions at least once each calendar year to solicit input on the plan.
7. Requires DHS, regarding the stakeholder engagement sessions, to:
a) seek feedback from and collaborate with persons who have Alzheimer's disease or a related form of dementia, direct caregivers and public, private and nonprofit organizations focused on Alzheimer's care services, research, advocacy, health services and caregiver support;
b) at least 30 days before each engagement session, provide public notice of the session, including the date, time, location or virtual access information, a summary agenda and instructions for submitting written comments;
c) ensure meaningful participation by stakeholders statewide, including rural and underserved communities, and provide reasonable accommodations and language access; and
d) accept written comments for at least 14 days following each engagement session.
8. Requires DHS to convene or designate an advisory council or working group to assist in planning, conducting and evaluating stakeholder engagement and plan implementation, review and updates.
9. Specifies that membership of the advisory council or working group must reflect the diversity of the outlined stakeholders.
10. Requires DHS, by October 1, 2027, and at least every three years thereafter, to update and submit the plan to the Governor, the President of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives and provide a copy to the Secretary of State.
11. Requires DHS to publish the plan on its public website.
12. Defines caregiver as an unpaid person who provides regular assistance in activities of daily living for a person living with Alzheimer's disease or a related form of dementia.
13. Appropriates $600,000 in FY 2027 from the Health Services Lottery Monies Fund to DHS for the dementia services program and the implementation of the plan.
14. Becomes effective on the general effective date.
Amendments Adopted by Committees
· Changes the source of the FY 2027 appropriation from the state GF to the Health Services Lottery Monies Fund.
Senate Action
HHS 2/4/26 DPA 6-0-1
ATT 2/24/26 DPA 10-0-0
Prepared by Senate Research
February 25, 2026
MM/SDR/hk