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2009 Summary of Lyme Related Legislation

The LDA has worked with numerous groups throughout the US to help push for passage of Lyme legislation that will help the Lyme community.

Anyone comtemplating introduction of state legislation needs to thoroughly understand all the issues surrounding Lyme disease and how patients and physicians can be hurt by passage of legislation that is not carefully worded and vetted by individuals who understand the political climate in their state and the history of Lyme legislation in other states.  Legislation that is passed is seldom repealed.

New Hampshire

  • HB 1326 Doctor protection (Gary Daniels)
  • 5 hour hearing on bill
  • NH Medical Society against bill
  • February 17, 2010Awaiting action in Senate
  • SENATE EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENTS AND ADMINISTRATION
  • Bill was in fight to amend. Died. (Advocates did not want amendment)
Maryland
  • Three Lyme-related bills have passed through the Maryland legislative process so far this session (2010)
  • LDA & most other Lyme groups were not favorable to 2 of these bills which we felt would have caused problems for docs and patients
  • HB 290- Doctor Protection- Voted Unfavorable in Committee and Withdrawn.
  • HB 798- Task Force- Voted Unfavorable in Committee and Withdrawn
  • HB 2- Reporting Cases- Voted Unfavorable in Committee and Withdrawn
  • Purpose of this last bill, HB 2, was unclear; it favored reporting, yet reporting was already done in MD
Massachusetts
  • June 30, 2010 – Massachusetts Governor Signs Lyme Disease Doctor Protection Bill into Law

Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick signed into law the FY11 Budget which contained language on doctor protection for Lyme disease treating physicians. The law permits doctors to clinically diagnose and treat patients long term. The state medical board cannot bring charges against a doctor solely for prescribing long-term antibiotic treatment for Lyme disease.

  • Bill Number: HB 1148 (Hargraves)
    • To allow physicians to prescribe, administer or dispense long-term antibiotics for therapeutic purposes to patients clinically diagnosed with Lyme disease.
    • Introduced (05/20/2009);
    • Referred to the HOUSE RULES (06/03/2009);
    • Reported, referred to the JOINT RULES, reported, rules and suspended and referred to the JOINT COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC HEALTH (06/22/2009);
    • Senate Concurred (06/24/2009);
    • Reported favorably by the Joint Committee on Public Health (02/09/2010)
    • Bill was amended (not wanted by advocates) but original version was then appended to budget and passed by both houses. Awaiting governor’s signature.
  • Bill Number: HB 4480
    • An Act relative to tick borne illnesses
    • Would establish a special commission for the purpose of investigating and studying the incidence and impacts of Lyme disease and its associated co-infections in the commonwealth
    • Status: New draft of HB 1148 and HB 3592 (02/08/2010);
      • referred to the Joint Committee on Health Care Financing (02/08/2010).
Minnesota
  • SF 1631/ (Marty, Vanderveer)
    • Passed out of Senate Committee after hearing
  • HF2597 (Ward) In place of the bill, an agreement was reached and the MN Medical Board, which passed a limited doctor protection agreement (patient, parent, guardian etc. complaints can still generate action by medical board)
    • Hearing in House and tabled
New Jersey
  • Neuroendocrine immune disorders
  • AR 122/SR133 New resolution, SR-20, introduced without the words “Lyme disease” in it in 2010
    • Initiated by chronic fatigue advocates
    • Asked NJ legislature to memorialize formation of NEI Center that includes Gulf War Syndrome, multiple chemical sensitivity, chronic fatigue syndrome, & Lyme disease
    • LDA and most other Lyme groups opposed the Resolution
      • Lyme not autoimmune disease but has specific bacterial cause
    • Motion did not come up for vote in Senate
    • Failed
  • Passed the Senate in June 2010
  • New Jersey Department of Education Adopted NJ Core Curriculum Content Gr 6
  • Section : “Diseases & Health Conditions”
  • #3. Compare and contrast diseases and health conditions prevalent in adolescents, including: asthma, obesity, diabetes, Lyme disease, STDs, and HIV/AIDS
  • SE: 191-195, 200-201
  • Applying Health Skills 201
  • Core Curriculum Content Standards for Comprehensive Health & Physical Education Grade 6 Teen Health Course 1- 2005
Pennsylvania
  • SB 1199 (Greenleaf) Referred to Senate Banking & Insurance
    • Doctor Protection
    • Insurance
    • Task Force on TBDs
  • Upcoming hearing 6-22-10
  • Awaiting amendment�to the bill listed on the PA House website
Rhode Island
  • RI currently enacted Lyme disease curriculum bill, Chapter 087 / 2010 – H 7418 S 2265 Substitute A
    • LDA proposed new language changes (removing word treatment)
    • Sponsor proposed�that amendment & to only provide materials
    • 06/09/2010 House passed Sub A
      06/10/2010 Placed on Senate Calendar
      06/11/2010 Senate passed Sub A in concurrence
      06/14/2010 Transmitted to Governor
      06/16/2010 Enacted – Click here for bill text

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