§ 26:2M-20 — "Alzheimer's and Dementia Care Long-Term Advisory Commission" established.

1. a. The Alzheimer's and Dementia Care Long-Term Advisory Commission is established in the Department of Human Services. The purpose of the commission shall be to provide for the ongoing evaluation of the State's system of care for Alzheimer's disease and related disorders and other forms of dementia and identify various innovative means and methods that can be used to address the shortcomings in that care system and otherwise expand and prepare the system to meet the increasing and evolving needs of a rapidly aging population. b. The commission shall consist of 12 members, including: (1) the Commissioner of Health, the Commissioner of Human Services, and the New Jersey Long-Term Care Ombudsman, or their designees, who shall serve as ex officio, non-voting members; (2) two public members to be appointed by the Governor based upon the recommendation of the President of the Senate, including one member who represents an organization that advocates for members of the Alzheimer's disease and related disorders or other forms of dementia community and one member who represents a for-profit healthcare facility that offers memory care services; (3) two public members to be appointed by the Governor based upon the recommendation of the Speaker of the General Assembly, including one member who represents an organization that advocates for members of the Alzheimer's disease and related disorders or other forms of dementia community and one member who represents a non-profit healthcare facility that offers memory care services; and (4) five public members to be appointed by the Governor, including: one geriatrician who is currently involved in the provision of direct services to patients with Alzheimer's disease and related disorders or other forms of dementia; one psychiatrist who provides specialized services to patients with Alzheimer's disease and related disorders or other forms of dementia; one caregiver who provides paid services to persons with Alzheimer's disease or related disorders or other forms of dementia; one unpaid caregiver of a family member who has Alzheimer's disease or a related disorder or other form of dementia; and one neurologist who provides specialized services to patients with Alzheimer's disease or a related disorder or other form of dementia. c. Each public member of the commission shall serve for a term of four years, except that, of the public members first appointed, two shall serve an initial term of one year, three shall serve an initial term of two years, two shall serve an initial term of three years, and two shall serve an initial term of four years. Each public member shall serve for the term of the member's appointment and until a successor is appointed and qualified. Public members shall be eligible for reappointment to the commission. d. All initial appointments to the commission shall be made within 180 days after the effective date of this act. Vacancies in the membership of the commission shall be filled in the same manner as is provided for the original appointments. e. The commission shall organize as soon as practicable, but not later than the 30th day following the appointment of a majority of its members, and shall annually elect a chairperson and vice-chairperson from among its members. The chairperson shall appoint a secretary who need not be a member of the commission. f. Each year, the commission shall meet pursuant to a schedule to be established at its first annual meeting. The commission shall additionally meet at the call of its chairperson or at the call of the Commissioner of Human Services. In no case shall the commission meet fewer than two times per year. g. A majority of the total number of members currently appointed to the commission shall constitute a quorum. A vacancy in the membership of the commission shall not impair the ability of the commission to exercise its duties and effectuate its purposes. The commission may conduct business without a quorum, but may only take advisory action when a quorum is present. Recommendations shall be approved by a majority of the members present. h. The members of the commission shall serve without compensation, but shall be reimbursed for travel and other necessary expenses incurred in the performance of their duties, within the limits of funds made available to the commission for its purposes. i. The commission shall have the power to: (1) adopt, amend, or repeal suitable bylaws for the management of its affairs; (2) with the approval of the Commissioner of Human Services, solicit and receive assistance and services from any State, county, or municipal department, board, commission, or agency, as it may require and as may be available to it for its purposes; and (3) consult with, and solicit and receive testimony from, any association, organization, department, agency, or individual having knowledge of, and experience with: (a) the treatment and care of, or provision of caregiving and personal care services to, persons with Alzheimer's disease and related disorders or other forms of dementia; (b) the status or quality of the State's professional workforce in relation to Alzheimer's disease and related disorders and other forms of dementia care; (c) the emotional, physical, or financial effects of Alzheimer's disease and related disorders or other forms of dementia on individuals, families, and the State; or (d) any other issues related to Alzheimer's disease and related disorders or other forms of dementia. j. The Department of Human Services shall provide professional and clerical staff to the commission as may be necessary to effectuate the purposes of this act. k. The commission shall serve in an advisory capacity to the Department of Human Services. L.2023, c.41, s.1.