H.R.3389 - Alzheimer’s Law Enforcement Education Act of 2025 (119th Congress)
Summary
H.R.3389, the Alzheimer's Law Enforcement Education Act of 2025, directs the Director of the Office of Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) within the Department of Justice to establish an online training course on Alzheimer's disease and related dementias. The training is intended for law enforcement, correctional officers, and correctional probation officers. It emphasizes interaction techniques, symptom recognition, communication strategies, alternatives to physical restraints, and identification of abuse, neglect, or exploitation.
Expected Effects
The bill aims to improve law enforcement's ability to interact with individuals suffering from Alzheimer's and dementia. This will be achieved through better training and awareness. The training course will be developed in consultation with the Secretary of Health and Human Services and the Administrator for the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.
Potential Benefits
- Improved interactions between law enforcement and individuals with Alzheimer's.
- Enhanced recognition of Alzheimer's symptoms by law enforcement.
- More effective communication strategies used by officers.
- Reduced use of physical restraints on individuals with dementia.
- Increased identification of abuse and neglect cases.
Potential Disadvantages
- Potential costs associated with developing and maintaining the training program.
- The bill relies on state and local agencies to adopt the training, which may lead to inconsistent implementation.
- The effectiveness of the training depends on the quality of the curriculum and the engagement of the officers.
- No direct funding is allocated in the bill, potentially straining resources.
- The bill does not address broader issues of long-term care and support for individuals with Alzheimer's.
Constitutional Alignment
The bill appears to align with the Constitution, particularly the provision to "promote the general Welfare." While the Constitution does not explicitly address law enforcement training, this bill falls under Congress's implied powers to legislate on matters that improve public safety and well-being. The establishment of a training program does not infringe upon any specific rights or liberties protected by the Constitution or its amendments.
Impact Assessment: Things You Care About ⓘ
This action has been evaluated across 19 key areas that matter to you. Scores range from 1 (highly disadvantageous) to 5 (highly beneficial).