SB2971 - 104th General Assembly (2025-2026)

DHS-DEMENTIA TRAINING
Last Action

3/13/2026 - Senate: Rule 3-9(a) / Re-referred to Assignments
Statutes Amended In Order of Appearance

Synopsis As Introduced

Amends the Rehabilitation of Persons with Disabilities Act. Requires direct service workers employed by the Department of Human Services, or an agency contracted with the Department, to provide services under the Home Services Program to complete at least 2 hours of dementia training at the start of their employment and annually thereafter. Requires the training to cover subjects concerning Alzheimer's disease and dementia, safety risks, and communication and behavior. Requires the Department to provide contractors with dementia training curriculum on the required subjects. Provides that any other laws or rules that impose more rigorous dementia training for direct service workers under the Home Services Program shall apply. Exempts from the training requirements direct service workers who provide proof that they obtained equivalent dementia training in compliance with another law or rule. For personal assistants covered by a collective bargaining agreement, requires the Department to establish, in consultation with the joint training committee created under the collective bargaining agreement, different parameters and specific topics for curriculum covering dementia training.
Actions

DateChamberAction
1/27/2026SenateFiled with Secretary by Sen. Cristina Castro
1/27/2026SenateFirst Reading
1/27/2026SenateReferred to Assignments
2/03/2026SenateAssigned to Behavioral and Mental Health
2/17/2026SenateSenate Committee Amendment No. 1 Filed with Secretary by Sen. Cristina Castro
2/17/2026SenateSenate Committee Amendment No. 1 Referred to Assignments
2/24/2026SenateSenate Committee Amendment No. 1 Assignments Refers to Behavioral and Mental Health
3/06/2026SenateAdded as Co-Sponsor Sen. Laura M. Murphy
3/11/2026SenatePostponed - Behavioral and Mental Health
3/11/2026SenateSenate Committee Amendment No. 1 Postponed - Behavioral and Mental Health
3/12/2026SenateAdded as Co-Sponsor Sen. Sara Feigenholtz
3/13/2026SenateRule 3-9(a) / Re-referred to Assignments
3/13/2026SenateSenate Committee Amendment No. 1 Rule 3-9(a) / Re-referred to Assignments
3/16/2026SenateAdded as Co-Sponsor Sen. Mattie Hunter
3/25/2026SenateAdded as Co-Sponsor Sen. Meg Loughran Cappel
3/26/2026SenateAdded as Co-Sponsor Sen. Rachel Ventura