HB 18-1091 Summary

• Adds a comprehensive definition of "dementia diseases and related disabilities" to Colorado statutes, defining it as a condition where mental ability declines severely enough to interfere with everyday functioning, including Alzheimer's disease, mixed dementia, Lewy bodies dementia, vascular dementia, frontotemporal dementia, and other types of dementia.

• Updates statutory references across multiple Colorado code sections to replace outdated terminology like "Alzheimer's disease" and "senile dementia" with the standardized term "dementia diseases and related disabilities."

• Applies the definition consistently across health care, insurance, long-term care, law enforcement, and research statutes to ensure uniform language and treatment throughout state law.

• Expands the missing persons alert program to include persons with dementia diseases and related disabilities alongside existing provisions for missing senior citizens and persons with developmental disabilities.

• Modifies health care provider reimbursement standards and testing requirements for mental health and neuropsychological professionals to reference the new terminology.