The proposed bill establishes the Dementia Care Specialist Program under the Aging and Long-Term Services Department in New Mexico. This program aims to provide support for individuals and families affected by dementia, which includes various cognitive disorders such as Alzheimer's disease. The department is tasked with overseeing the program's implementation, employing or contracting dementia care specialists, and ensuring they deliver services such as cognitive assessments, early detection assistance, caregiver education, and training for health care providers. Additionally, the program will focus on culturally appropriate outreach and data collection to measure its effectiveness.

To fund the program, the bill appropriates $1 million from the general fund for the fiscal years 2027 through 2029, with any unspent funds reverting to the general fund at the end of the period. The department is also required to submit interim reports on the program's progress, including details on the number of specialists, populations served, and outcomes related to caregiver support and health care utilization, with the first report due on October 1, 2028, and a final report on July 1, 2029. The provisions of this act are set to take effect on July 1, 2026.