(A) As used in this section, “dementia” includes Alzheimer’s disease or a related disorder.

Ask a legal question, get an answer ASAP!
Click here to chat with a lawyer about your rights.

(B) The attorney general, in consultation with the departments of aging and job and family services, shall adopt, in accordance with Chapter 119 of the Revised Code or pursuant to section 109.74 of the Revised Code, rules governing the training of peace officers in identifying and interacting with individuals with dementia. The rules shall specify both of the following:

(1) The amount of dementia-related training, which shall be determined in accordance with guidance from the Ohio peace officer training commission, if needed, that is necessary for satisfactory completion of basic training programs at approved peace officer training schools. The amount of dementia-related training determined under division (B)(1) of this section shall not exceed two hours.

(2) The amount of dementia-related training, which shall be determined in accordance with guidance from the Ohio peace officer training commission, if needed, that may be credited for continuing professional training. The amount of dementia-related training determined under division (B)(2) of this section shall not exceed one hour.

(C) The dementia-related training required under this section shall include instruction in all of the following:

(1) Identifying individuals with dementia, including psychiatric and behavioral symptoms of dementia;

(2) Respectful and effective communication techniques for communicating with individuals with dementia and their caregivers;

(3) Techniques for addressing the behavioral symptoms of dementia, including alternatives to physical restraint;

(4) Identifying and reporting incidents of abuse, neglect, and exploitation of individuals with dementia to the appropriate county department of job and family services in accordance with section 5101.63 of the Revised Code;

(5) Protocols for contacting caregivers when an individual with dementia is found wandering or during an emergency or crisis situation;

(6) Local resources available for individuals with dementia;

(7) Local and national organizations that assist peace officers with locating missing and wandering individuals with dementia and returning them to their caregivers.