AB 785

This bill creates a dementia specialist certification program. If a nurse aide or

a person designated by a care provider to coordinate and supervise resident activities

attends an appropriate instructional program, completes a competency evaluation,

and pays a certification fee, the Department of Health Services must certify him or

her as a dementia specialist. A certificate as a dementia specialist is valid for two

years. To renew the certificate, a person must provide proof to DHS of four hours of

continuing education. No person may use the title "dementia specialist" or "certified

dementia specialist" unless he or she is certified by DHS.

The bill requires DHS to establish standards for a curriculum for the

instructional program, which includes certain instructional topics. The

instructional program must consist of at least 40 hours and must include both

classroom and clinical instruction. DHS must approve instructional programs and

competency evaluations that meet the standards DHS established and review each

instructional program at least once every two years. DHS may suspend or revoke an

instructional program or competency evaluation that fails to satisfy the standards.