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2003 SESSION


CHAPTER 766
An Act to amend the Code of Virginia by adding in Chapter 7 of Title 2.2 an article numbered 4, consisting of sections numbered 2.2-718, 2.2-719 and 2.2-720, and to repeal §§ 2.2-710 and 37.1-62.1 of the Code of Virginia, relating to Alzheimer’s disease and related disorders; report.
[H 2519]
Approved March 20, 2003

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:

1. That the Code of Virginia is amended by adding in Chapter 7 of Title 2.2 an article numbered 4, consisting of sections numbered 2.2-718, 2.2-719 and 2.2-720, as follows:

Article 4.
Alzheimer's Disease and Related Disorders.

§ 2.2-718. Powers and duties of the Department with respect to Alzheimer's disease and related disorders.

The Department for the Aging shall serve as a referral point for linking families caring for persons with Alzheimer's disease and related disorders with Virginia's chapters of the Alzheimer's Disease and Related Disorders Association. The Department shall provide information, counseling and referral about services and programs that may support individuals and families dealing with Alzheimer's disease and related disorders.

§ 2.2-719. Alzheimer's and Related Diseases Research Award Fund.

There is established a fund to be known as the Alzheimer's and Related Diseases Research Award Fund, hereafter referred to as “the Fund.” The Fund shall be administered by the Virginia Center on Aging and the awards shall be made through an awards committee consisting of representatives from the scientific and medical community and the general public. The awards shall be given annually to scientists in Virginia in order to support research into the causes of Alzheimer's disease and related disorders, methods of treatment, ways that families can cope with the stresses of the disease, and the impact of the disease on the citizens of the Commonwealth.

§ 2.2-720. Alzheimer's Disease and Related Disorders Commission.

A. The Alzheimer's Disease and Related Disorders Commission (Commission) is established as an advisory commission in the executive branch of state government. The purpose of the entity is to assist people with Alzheimer's disease and related disorders and their caregivers.

B. The Commission shall consist of 15 nonlegislative citizen members. Members shall be appointed as follows: three members to be appointed by the Speaker of the House of Delegates; two members to be appointed by the Senate Committee on Privileges and Elections; and 10 members to be appointed by the Governor, of whom seven shall be from among the boards, staffs, and volunteers of the Virginia chapters of the Alzheimer's Disease and Related Disorders Association and three shall be from the public at large.

Initial appointments of nonlegislative citizen members shall be staggered as follows:

1. Two gubernatorial appointees shall be appointed for a term of one year each;

2. One member appointed by the Speaker of the House of Delegates and two gubernatorial appointees shall be appointed for a term of two years each;

3. Two members, one appointed by the Speaker of the House of Delegates and one appointed by the Senate Committee on Privileges and Elections, and three gubernatorial appointees shall be appointed for a term of three years each; and

4. Two members, one appointed by the Speaker of the House of Delegates and one appointed by the Senate Committee on Privileges and Elections, and three gubernatorial appointees shall be appointed for a term of four years each.

Thereafter, nonlegislative citizen members shall be appointed for a term of four years. Appointments to fill vacancies, other than by expiration of a term, shall be for the unexpired terms. All members may be reappointed. However, no nonlegislative citizen member shall serve more than two consecutive four-year terms. The remainder of any term to which a member is appointed to fill a vacancy shall not constitute a term in determining the member's eligibility for reappointment. Vacancies shall be filled in the same manner as the original appointments.

The Commission shall elect a chairman and vice chairman from among its membership. A majority of the voting members shall constitute a quorum. The Commission shall meet at least four times each year. The meetings of the Commission shall be held at the call of the chairman or whenever the majority of the voting members so request.

C. Members shall receive such compensation for the discharge of their duties as provided in § 2.2-2813. All members shall be reimbursed for reasonable and necessary expenses incurred in the discharge of their duties as provided in §§ 2.2-2813 and 2.2-2825. Funding for the costs of compensation and expenses of the members shall be provided by the Department for the Aging.

D. The Commission shall have the following powers and duties:

1. Examine the needs of persons with Alzheimer's disease and related disorders, as well as the needs of their caregivers, and ways that state government can most effectively and efficiently assist in meeting those needs;

2. Advise the Governor and General Assembly on policy, funding, regulatory and other issues related to persons suffering from Alzheimer's disease and related disorders and their caregivers;

3. Develop the Commonwealth's plan for meeting the needs of patients with Alzheimer's disease and related disorders and their caregivers, and advocate for such plan;

4. Submit a report by October 1 of each year to the Governor and General Assembly regarding the activities and recommendations of the Commission; and

5. Establish priorities for programs among state agencies related to Alzheimer's disease and related disorders and criteria to evaluate these programs.

E. The Department for the Aging shall provide staff support to the Commission. All agencies of the Commonwealth shall provide assistance to the Commission, upon request.

F. The Commission may apply for and expend such grants, gifts or bequests from any source as may become available in connection with its duties under this section, and may comply with such conditions and requirements as may be imposed in connections therewith.

G. The Chairman shall submit to the Governor and the General Assembly an annual executive summary of the interim activity and work of the Commission no later than the first day of each regular session of the General Assembly. The executive summary shall be submitted as provided in the procedures of the Division of Legislative Automated Systems for the processing of legislative documents and reports and shall be posted on the General Assembly's website.

H. This section shall expire on July 1, 2006.

2. That §§ 2.2-710 and 37.1-62.1 of the Code of Virginia are repealed.

3. Notwithstanding § 2.2-720, current members of the Alzheimer's Disease and Related Disorders Commission shall continue to serve until the expiration of their terms. Thereafter, terms established by § 2.2-720 shall apply.