Amendment ASA1-AB785

LRBs0278/1

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2015 - 2016 LEGISLATURE

ASSEMBLY SUBSTITUTE AMENDMENT 1, TO ASSEMBLY BILL 785

January 29, 2016 - Offered by Representative Rohrkaste.

AB785-ASA1,1,2 An Act to create 146.43 of the statutes; relating to: dementia specialist certification.

Analysis by the Legislative Reference Bureau

This substitute amendment creates a dementia specialist certification. No person may use the title "dementia specialist" or "certified dementia specialist" without the certification. If a person provides evidence of successful completion of an approved instructional program and pays a certification fee, the Department of Health Services must certify that person as a dementia specialist. The substitute amendment requires DHS to approve instructional programs that provide the instructional topics specified in the substitute amendment. The substitute amendment also requires a certified dementia specialist to obtain four hours of continuing education every 24 months.

The people of the state of Wisconsin, represented in senate and assembly, do enact as follows:

AB785-ASA1,1 Section 1. 146.43 of the statutes is created to read:

AB785-ASA1,2,3 146.43 Dementia specialist certification. (1) Eligibility for certification. The department shall certify as a dementia specialist any person who provides evidence of successfully completing an instructional program approved under sub. (3) and pays a fee set by the department. The department shall maintain a registry of certified dementia specialists.

AB785-ASA1,2,8 (2) Renewal of certificate. A certificate as a dementia specialist under sub. (1) is valid for 24 months from the date on which the certificate is issued by the department. A person who is certified as a dementia specialist may renew the certificate by providing proof to the department of completion, every 24 months, of 4 hours of continuing education, as defined by the department by rule.

AB785-ASA1,2,10 (3) Instructional program approval. (a) The department shall approve instructional programs that provide instruction in all of the following:

AB785-ASA1,2,13 1. Understanding the signs and symptoms of the various forms of dementia and the possible variations in care needs among individuals affected by the various forms of dementia.

AB785-ASA1,2,15 2. How to approach, observe, listen to, and communicate with, an individual with dementia.

AB785-ASA1,2,16 3. Recognizing pain in an individual with dementia.

AB785-ASA1,2,18 4. Skills and techniques for encouraging purposeful activities to provide holistic care intended to promote optimal life experiences for persons with dementia.

AB785-ASA1,2,21 5. Understanding the needs of an individual with dementia, how to develop a trusting relationship within the challenges of the effects of dementia, and how to avoid and manage behaviors that may be harmful to the individual or others.

AB785-ASA1,2,23 6. Communication skills necessary to communicate with coworkers, professionals, and families regarding individuals with dementia.

AB785-ASA1,2,25 7. Skills necessary to effectively advocate for the needs and interests of persons with dementia.

AB785-ASA1,3,2 8. Developing and using care plans to assist individuals with dementia in experiencing the highest possible quality of life.

AB785-ASA1,3,3 9. Techniques for effective problem solving.

AB785-ASA1,3,7 (b) The department may, after providing notice, suspend or revoke the approval of an instructional program or impose a plan of correction for the program if the program fails to satisfy the standards for approval or operates under conditions that are other than those contained in the application approved by the department.

AB785-ASA1,3,9 (4) Continuing education. A dementia specialist certified under sub. (1) shall obtain 4 hours of continuing education every 24 months.

AB785-ASA1,3,12 (5) Prohibitions on use of title. No person may use the title "dementia specialist" or "certified dementia specialist" unless he or she is certified under sub. (1).

AB785-ASA1,3,13 (End)