3 New Florida Laws That Will Impact Dementia Caregivers 

Every year the Florida Legislature meets for 60 days to pass a budget and work on priorities that impact the residents of the Sunshine State. A few priorities always make headlines on TV or in the papers but there are over 1,900 bills that have been filed over the past few years. It’s difficult to keep track of every bill that passes and how it will affect you. 

This past session, several bills passed that will have an impact on the lives of those living with Alzheimer’s and other dementia and their caregivers. 

1. HB 801: Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Dementia (ADRD) Training for Law Enforcement Officers. This legislation will establish a continuing education course for law enforcement on Alzheimer’s disease and other types of dementia. Individuals with Alzheimer’s are likely to engage with law enforcement, so law enforcement must have the resources to handle situations involving those with the disease. 
2. HB 885: Coverage of Biomarker Testing. State employee health insurance policies and Medicaid programs will be required to cover biomarker testing with this new legislation. This will include PET scans, spinal taps, and hopefully soon blood tests. 
3. HB 341: Designation of a Diagnosis on Motor Vehicle Registrations. This legislation updates the Florida motor vehicle registration application process to include a voluntary indication of disabilities or disorders. One of the disorders included is Alzheimer’s disease or other types of dementia. This is a voluntary program that caregivers can participate in. 

To learn more about these bills and others, including how they will impact your day-to-day life, join the Florida chapters of the Alzheimer’s Association for Public Policy’s Impact in the Alzheimer’s and Dementia Community. This free webinar will be held on Wednesday, July 10 at 1 p.m. ET. 

The Alzheimer’s Association supported many of these bills to become law. Volunteers rallied throughout the legislative process to advocate for critical legislation and funding that supports those living with Alzheimer’s and their caregivers. If you are interested in learning more about our advocacy program, please visit AlzImpact.org or email Jennifer Braisted, director of government affairs in Florida, at jbraisted@alz.org.