1.1 	A bill for an act
1.2 	relating to health; establishing a community health worker training program on 
1.3 	Alzheimer's disease and dementia;amending Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 
1.4 	256B.0625, subdivision 49; proposing coding for new law in Minnesota Statutes, 
1.5 	chapter 144.
1.6 	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

1.7 	Section 1. [144.6504] ALZHEIMER'S DISEASE AND DEMENTIA CARE 
1.8 	TRAINING PROGRAM.
1.9 	(a) The commissioner of health, in collaboration with interested stakeholders, shall 
1.10 	develop and provide a training program for community health workers on recognizing and 
1.11 	understanding Alzheimer's disease and dementia. The training program may be conducted 
1.12 	either virtually or in person and must, at a minimum, include instruction on:
1.13 	(1) recognizing the common warning signs of Alzheimer's disease and dementia;
1.14 	(2) understanding how Alzheimer's disease and dementia affect communication and 
1.15 	behavior;
1.16 	(3) recognizing potential safety risks for individuals living with dementia, including the 
1.17 	risks of wandering and elder abuse; and
1.18 	(4) identifying appropriate techniques to communicate with individuals living with 
1.19 	dementia and how to appropriately respond to dementia-related behaviors.
1.20 	(b) The commissioner shall work with the Minnesota State Colleges and University 
1.21 	System (MNSCU) to explore the possibility of including a training program that meets the 
2.1 	requirements of this section to the MNSCU-approved community health worker certification 
2.2 	program.
2.3 	(c) Notwithstanding paragraph (a), if a training program already exists that meets the 
2.4 	requirements of this section, the commissioner may approve the existing training program 
2.5 	or programs instead of developing a new program, and, in collaboration with interested 
2.6 	stakeholders, ensure that the approved training program or programs are available to all 
2.7 	community health workers.

2.8 	Sec. 2. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 256B.0625, subdivision 49, is amended to read:
2.9 		Subd. 49.Community health worker. (a) Medical assistance covers the care 
2.10 	coordination and patient education services provided by a community health worker if the 
2.11 	community health worker has received a certificate from the Minnesota State Colleges and 
2.12 	Universities System approved community health worker curriculum.
2.13 	(b) Community health workers must work under the supervision of a medical assistance 
2.14 	enrolled physician, registered nurse, advanced practice registered nurse, physician assistant, 
2.15 	mental health professional, or dentist, or work under the supervision of a certified public 
2.16 	health nurse operating under the direct authority of an enrolled unit of government.
2.17 	(c) Effective January 1, 2026, community health workers who are eligible for payment 
2.18 	under this subdivision who are providing care coordination or patient education services in 
2.19 	an adult day care, respite care, or in-home care setting must complete a training program 
2.20 	in Alzheimer's disease and dementia care that has been developed or approved by the 
2.21 	commissioner of health, in accordance with section 144.6504, to remain eligible for payment.
2.22 	(c) (d) Care coordination and patient education services covered under this subdivision 
2.23 	include, but are not limited to, services relating to oral health and dental care.