This bill amends Nebraska's public health and welfare laws, focusing on the restructuring of advisory councils related to aging and dementia care. It eliminates the advisory committee of the Nebraska Children's Commission and renames the existing Alzheimer's Disease and Other Dementia Advisory Council to the Aging, Alzheimer's, and Dementia Advisory Council. Key changes include increasing the voting members of the advisory council from twelve to fifteen, with new representation requirements for individuals living with dementia and family caregivers. The council's purpose is expanded to address the needs of aging individuals and those with Alzheimer's disease, and it is mandated to compile findings and submit a State Alzheimer's Plan to the Legislature and Governor every four years. Additionally, the bill establishes the Aging, Alzheimer's, and Dementia Advisory Council Fund to support related initiatives.

The bill also creates the State Advisory Committee on Mental Health and Substance Use Services, consisting of twenty-three members appointed by the Governor, which will advise on mental health and substance use disorder services starting July 1, 2026. This committee will serve as the state's mental health planning council and will take over the responsibilities of the State Advisory Committee on Substance Abuse Services in 2026. Furthermore, the bill modifies the structure and responsibilities of the Aging, Alzheimer's, and Dementia Advisory Council, replacing the term "committee" with "council" in several sections and outlining its role in hearing appeals from area agencies on aging. Several sections of existing law are repealed to streamline the legislative framework surrounding these advisory bodies.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 28-712, 71-561, 71-563, 71-564, 71-565, 71-566, 71-567, 71-814, 81-2205, 81-2212, 81-2226