Senate Bill 654, also known as the "Caring for Caregivers Act," aims to provide financial relief to family caregivers of individuals diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease or related dementia. The bill establishes a family caregiver grant pilot program, which will operate from July 1, 2025, to December 31, 2028. This program will offer grants of up to $6,000 per fiscal year to eligible family caregivers to help offset their eligible expenditures, which include costs related to home modifications, necessary equipment, and respite care. The program will be funded through appropriations from the general assembly and other donations, with an initial appropriation of $600,000 proposed for the fiscal year 2025-2026.

The bill defines key terms such as "activities of daily living," "eligible expenditures," and "family caregiver," and sets specific criteria for eligibility, including income limits that will be adjusted for cost-of-living increases. Additionally, the Department of Health will be responsible for administering the program and reporting on its status annually. The act emphasizes that it does not obligate funds unless specifically appropriated by the general appropriations act, ensuring that the program's implementation is contingent upon available funding.