A. The Louisiana Department of Health may in its existing public health programs and services educate healthcare providers on all of the following:

            (1) The importance of effective care planning, including treatment options, support and services, long-term care options, advance directives, and care at every stage of Alzheimer’s disease and other dementia diseases to include appropriate counseling.

            (2) The use of validated cognitive assessment tools.

            B. The office of public health within the Louisiana Department of Health may include provisions in its public health outreach programs that, at a minimum, address the following:

            (1) Increasing the awareness of Alzheimer’s disease and other dementia diseases including any link to chronic disease, such as vascular risk factors.

            (2) Advising the public of the value of early detection of Alzheimer’s disease and other dementia diseases along with information on the early signs of the diseases.

            (3) Educating the public on the importance of identifying and reporting signs of Alzheimer’s disease and other dementia diseases to healthcare providers for timely diagnosis.

            (4) Increasing the data and surveillance applicable to Alzheimer’s disease and other dementia diseases and encouraging additional data analysis and accurate reporting on death certificates.

            C. The Louisiana Department of Health shall consult with the Louisiana chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association and other experts, advocates, or associations to facilitate the distribution of educational materials that address Alzheimer’s disease and other dementia diseases.

            D. The Louisiana Department of Health may promulgate rules and regulations in accordance with the Administrative Procedure Act as are necessary to implement this Subpart. The rules and regulations may include but not be limited to the type of cognitive assessment tools available to healthcare providers. The department shall consult with and seek input from the Louisiana chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association and other experts, advocates, or associations in the promulgation of the rules and regulations.

            Acts 2021, No. 73, §1.