BILL NUMBER: AB 528	INTRODUCED
	BILL TEXT


INTRODUCED BY   Assembly Member Mullin

                        FEBRUARY 18, 2003

   An act to amend Section 125275 of the Health and Safety Code,
relating to Alzheimer's disease.


	LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST


   AB 528, as introduced, Mullin.  Alzheimer's disease:  diagnostic
and treatment center.
   Existing law permits the State Department of Health Services to
award grants to postsecondary higher education institutions with a
medical center for the establishment of diagnostic and treatment
centers for Alzheimer's disease.
   Existing law provides that the functions of these centers shall be
designed to serve specified purposes.
   This bill would add to these purposes that of designing activities
and programs adapted for the unique needs of Alzheimer's patients,
including programs designed to decrease the effects of sundown
syndrome, as prescribed.
   Vote:  majority.  Appropriation:  no.  Fiscal committee:  yes.
State-mandated local program:  no.


THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:


  SECTION 1.  Section 125275 of the Health and Safety Code is amended
to read:
   125275.  (a) The Legislature finds that Alzheimer's disease, a
devastating disease which destroys certain vital cells of the brain,
affects more than 1,500,000 Americans.  The Legislature also finds
that Alzheimer's disease and related disorders are responsible for 50
percent of all nursing home admissions and  that  Alzheimer'
s disease is the fourth leading cause of death in adults.  The
Legislature recognizes that the disease has serious emotional,
financial, and social consequences for its victims and their
families.
   (b) The Legislature recognizes that the cause of Alzheimer's
disease is presently unknown, and there is no established treatment
which can cure, reverse, or stop the progression of Alzheimer's
disease.  The Legislature also recognizes that research is the only
hope for victims and families.  The Legislature finds that existing
diagnostic and treatment centers have improved the quality of care
available to the victims of Alzheimer's disease and increased
knowledge with respect to Alzheimer's disease and related disorders.
These centers provide clinical opportunities for research and
facilitate the collection of essential data regarding Alzheimer's
disease and related disorders, while at the same time providing
valuable services  such as   like 
information and referral, counseling, and training to victims and
their families.  It is the intent of the Legislature, in enacting
this article, to encourage the establishment of geographically
dispersed diagnostic and treatment centers for Alzheimer's disease
within every postsecondary higher educational institution with a
medical center, and to encourage research to discover the cause of,
and a cure for, Alzheimer's disease.
   (c) The functions of the diagnostic and treatment centers shall be
designed to serve all of the following purposes:
   (1) To provide diagnostic and treatment services and improve the
quality of care to victims of Alzheimer's disease.
   (2) To increase research by faculty and students in discovering
the cause of, and a cure for, Alzheimer's disease.
   (3) To provide training, monitoring, consultation, and continuing
education to the families of those who are affected by Alzheimer's
disease.
   (4) To increase the training of health care professionals with
respect to Alzheimer's disease and other acquired brain impairments
to the extent that the centers have the requisite expertise.  
   (5) To design activities and programs that are adapted for the
unique needs of Alzheimer's patients, including programs designed to
decrease the effects of "sundown syndrome" by creating more
activities in the late afternoon and evening hours. 
   (d) The diagnostic and treatment centers may collaborate with the
Statewide Resources Consultant designated pursuant to Section 4364 of
the Welfare and Institutions Code, to the extent that the centers
deem necessary in order to fulfill the functions set forth in
subdivision (c).