TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – The state would have to provide training to law enforcement officers on how to interact with people who have Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia under a bill the Florida House approved Thursday.
The Florida House unanimously approved HB 801 on Thursday. A Senate version of the bill is also ready for a floor vote in that chamber.
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The bill would require the Florida Department of Law Enforcement to work with the Department of Elder Affairs to create an online continued employment training program for law enforcement officers. It would teach techniques for things like effective communication, recognizing behavioral symptoms and characteristics and using alternatives in physically restraining someone.
The program would also teach law enforcement officers how to identify signs of elder abuse, neglect and exploitation.
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Right now, law enforcement is required to have basic training in recognizing and investigating elderly abuse and neglect, but there are no post-basic training programs for Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia. The new program would count toward the 40 hours of instruction required to remain an officer. That Continued Employment Training is required every four years.
According to a Florida Legislative staff analysis, the state has the second-highest prevalence of Alzheimer’s disease in the country.
According to the Florida Department of Elder Affairs, there are 580,000 Floridians over 65 years old who have Alzheimer’s disease. It is estimated that by 2025, that number will rise to 720,000.
If it becomes law, the bill would become effective on Oct. 1.
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