OH HB441

Attorney General, in consultation with the Department of Aging, shall adopt rules requiring peace officers to complete at least 2 hours of dementia training for basic training programs and at least 1 hour for continuing professional training.

Dementia training for peace officers must include identifying individuals with dementia, communication techniques, de-escalation alternatives to physical restraint, reporting abuse and exploitation, caregiver contact protocols, and local resources and organizations that assist with locating missing individuals.

State Board of Emergency Medical, Fire, and Transportation Services shall develop a dementia education course for all emergency medical services training programs and continuing education programs, requiring at least 2 hours for basic training and at least 1 hour for continuing education.

EMS dementia training must cover identification of dementia symptoms including common medical emergencies, respectful communication techniques, behavioral management during emergency treatment, reporting abuse and exploitation, caregiver protocols, and local and national organizations assisting with locating missing individuals.

First responders, EMTs-basic, EMTs-intermediate, and paramedics must complete the dementia education and training course as part of their initial and continuing education requirements.