Title 13. Miscellaneous Health Care Programs — Subtitle 32A. Director of Dementia Services and Brain Health
Statutes in effect as of October 1, 2026.
Md. Code Ann., Health-Gen. § 13-32A-01 (2026)
Title 13. Miscellaneous Health Care Programs
Subtitle 32A. Director of Dementia Services and Brain Health
§ 13–32A-01LinkCopy Citation
(a)
In this subtitle the following words have the meanings indicated.
(b)
“Council” means the Virginia I. Jones Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Dementias Council.
(c)
“Director” means the Director of Dementia Services and Brain Health.
(d)
“Program” means the Dementia Services and Brain Health Program.
Md. Code Ann., Health-Gen. § 13-32A-02 (2026)
Title 13. Miscellaneous Health Care Programs
Subtitle 32A. Director of Dementia Services and Brain Health
§ 13–32A-02LinkCopy Citation
There is a Director of Dementia Services and Brain Health in the Department.
Md. Code Ann., Health-Gen. § 13-32A-03 (2026)
Title 13. Miscellaneous Health Care Programs
Subtitle 32A. Director of Dementia Services and Brain Health
§ 13–32A-03LinkCopy Citation
The position of Director shall be a full–time and permanent position.
Md. Code Ann., Health-Gen. § 13-32A-04 (2026)
Title 13. Miscellaneous Health Care Programs
Subtitle 32A. Director of Dementia Services and Brain Health
§ 13–32A-04LinkCopy Citation
(a)
There is a Dementia Services and Brain Health Program in the Department.
(b)
The Director shall administer the Program.
(c)
The purpose of the Program is to lead the State’s public health efforts relating to brain health and dementia.
(d)
The Program shall:
(1)
Coordinate the Department’s approach to addressing Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia and brain health, including through public awareness, prevention, and early detection and diagnosis;
(2)
Staff the Council and update the Council each quarter on the Program’s activities;
(3)
Oversee implementation of the State Plan on Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Dementias;
(4)
Assess, analyze, and conduct outreach to share cognitive health and dementia–related data;
(5)
Develop and monitor implementation milestones and measurable outcomes to assess progress in achieving the goals laid out in the State Plan on Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Dementias;
(6)
Identify efficiencies across State agencies that aid individuals with dementia and their caregivers, and coordinate public and private stakeholder partnerships;
(7)
Support and promote the delivery of dementia–capable care across health care settings through various methods, including:
(i)
Establishing and maintaining a provider resource toolkit for dementia care, as defined in § 13–32A–07 of this subtitle, to support health care providers in delivering evidence–based, person–centered care;
(ii)
Coordinating with academic institutions, health occupations boards, and continuing education providers to promote participation in dementia–specific education, training, and certification for health care professionals; and
(iii)
Collaborating with State–led care transformation initiatives to identify opportunities to incorporate dementia–capable care practices into health care models;
(8)
Apply for grants to enable the implementation of the State Plan on Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Dementias goals to reduce the risk of dementia, and to improve the quality of care for individuals with dementia and their caregivers; and
(9)
Carry out other duties relevant to the support of individuals with dementia as may be assigned by the Department.
Md. Code Ann., Health-Gen. § 13-32A-05 (2026)
Title 13. Miscellaneous Health Care Programs
Subtitle 32A. Director of Dementia Services and Brain Health
§ 13–32A-05LinkCopy Citation
On or before September 1, 2023, and on or before September 1 every 5 years thereafter, the Director shall report to the Governor and, in accordance with § 2–1257 of the State Government Article, the Senate Finance Committee and the House Health and Government Operations Committee on the activities and recommendations of the Program.
Md. Code Ann., Health-Gen. § 13-32A-06 (2026)
Title 13. Miscellaneous Health Care Programs
Subtitle 32A. Director of Dementia Services and Brain Health
§ 13–32A-06LinkCopy Citation
The Governor shall include in the annual budget bill an appropriation to fund the position of Director and the Council, as follows:
(1)
For fiscal year 2023, at least $71,400;
(2)
For fiscal year 2024, at least $83,000;
(3)
For fiscal year 2025, at least $85,300;
(4)
For fiscal year 2026, at least $87,600; and
(5)
For fiscal year 2027 and each fiscal year thereafter, at least $89,900.
Md. Code Ann., Health-Gen. § 13-32A-07 (2026)
Title 13. Miscellaneous Health Care Programs
Subtitle 32A. Director of Dementia Services and Brain Health
§ 13–32A-07LinkCopy Citation
(a)
In this section, “toolkit” means the provider resource toolkit for dementia care for health care providers developed under subsection (b) of this section.
(b)
On or before October 1, 2027, the Department, in partnership with the Department of Aging, the Council, and other public or private organizations with expertise in Alzheimer’s disease or related dementias shall establish and maintain a provider resource toolkit for dementia care for health care providers.
(c)
The purpose of the toolkit is to provide a centralized, up–to–date resource to support health care providers in caring for patients who are at risk for or who may have dementia.
(d)
The toolkit developed under subsection (b) of this section shall:
(1)
Be composed of materials that can be developed using existing resources and expertise within the Department or obtained through partnerships with public or private entities as determined necessary by the Department; and
(2)
Include information on:
(i)
Risk factors for Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias, including chronic diseases and the co–occurrence of Down syndrome (Trisomy–21);
(ii)
Risk reduction strategies, including information on lifestyle interventions to reduce dementia risk;
(iii)
The importance of early detection and diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias;
(iv)
Validated assessment tools for the detection and diagnosis of cognitive impairment;
(v)
The racial and ethnic disparities in detecting, diagnosing, and accessing treatment and services;
(vi)
Person–centered care delivery and relevant sources of clinical practice guidelines and tools;
(vii)
Effective care planning tools, including:
(1)
Available reimbursement tools, including relevant billing codes, for individuals with cognitive impairment;
(2)
Referral pathways to community–based services and care planning resources; and
(3)
Information on treatment options and relevant sources for guidelines; and
(viii)
Continuing education opportunities related to dementia care best practices.
(e)
The Department shall promote the use of the toolkit across health care sectors, including:
(1)
Managed care programs;
(2)
Academic research institutions;
(3)
Hospitals and health systems;
(4)
Federally qualified health centers;
(5)
Hospital and health system associations;
(6)
Physician and medical student organizations;
(7)
Organizations representing the advancement of nurses, health care professionals, and health care organizations; and
(8)
Any other public or private organization, entity, or part of an organization or entity the Department deems necessary.
(f)
On or before January 1 each year, beginning in 2028, the Department shall review and update the information in the toolkit to reflect the most recent and accurate available information.