Health advisers would review tracking devices for people who wander

The Prevention and Wellness Advisory Board would recommend ways to use tracking devices and include them in a pilot program. The review would cover people at risk of wandering, including people with dementia, autism spectrum disorder, or Alzheimer’s disease. The board would consider a pilot funded through the Prevention and Wellness Trust Fund; the proposal does not require launching that pilot. The device definition requires wearable devices that work underwater, indoors, and without a clear view of the sky or public communication networks. It also requires compliance with IP66 and IP68 technical standards. The definition also requires a tamper-resistant wrist or ankle strap that caregivers can change, features to avoid false alarms, and a code identifying each person. The board would send recommendations to the Department of Public Health by December 1, 2025. The department would send those recommendations and its planned actions to lawmakers by December 1, 2026.