‘An Act To Enhance Public Awareness of Lyme Disease’
| HP1210 LD 1709 |
Second Regular Session - 124th Maine Legislature C "A", Filing Number H-632, Sponsored by
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LR 2125 Item 2 |
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| Bill Tracking | Chamber Status | ||
Amend the bill by striking out the title and substituting the following:
‘An Act To Enhance Public Awareness of Lyme Disease’
Amend the bill by inserting after the title and before the enacting clause the following:
‘Emergency preamble. Whereas, acts and resolves of the Legislature do not become effective until 90 days after adjournment unless enacted as emergencies; and
Whereas, the Department of Health and Human Services, Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention reports that in 2008 and 2009 there were over 900 confirmed cases of Lyme disease in the State and the United States Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention indicates that the actual incidence of Lyme disease is approximately 10 times the amount reported; and
Whereas, this Act designates the month of May as Lyme Disease Awareness Month to raise public awareness and improve education for the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of Lyme disease; and
Whereas, immediate enactment is necessary so that public awareness and education efforts related to Lyme disease and other tick-borne illnesses are conducted throughout the State this May; and
Whereas, in the judgment of the Legislature, these facts create an emergency within the meaning of the Constitution of Maine and require the following legislation as immediately necessary for the preservation of the public peace, health and safety; now, therefore,’
Amend the bill by striking out everything after the enacting clause and before the summary and inserting the following:
‘Sec. 1. 1 MRSA §150-E is enacted to read:
§ 150-E. Lyme Disease Awareness Month
The month of May of each year is designated as Lyme Disease Awareness Month, and the Governor shall annually issue a proclamation inviting and urging the people of the State to observe the month through appropriate activities. During the month, the Department of Health and Human Services, Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention shall make information available to the public to improve education and awareness about the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of Lyme disease that is consistent with the recommendations of the United States Department of Health and Human Services.
Sec. 2. 22 MRSA §1645, sub-§1, ¶B, as enacted by PL 2007, c. 561, §1, is amended to read:
Sec. 3. 22 MRSA §1645, sub-§1, ¶C, as enacted by PL 2007, c. 561, §1, is amended to read:
Sec. 4. 22 MRSA §1645, sub-§3 is enacted to read:
Sec. 5. 24-A MRSA §4302, sub-§5, as enacted by PL 2007, c. 561, §2, is amended to read:
Emergency clause. In view of the emergency cited in the preamble, this legislation takes effect when approved.’
SUMMARY
This amendment replaces the bill. The amendment does the following.
1. It establishes the month of May as Lyme Disease Awareness Month. It also directs the Department of Health and Human Services, Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention to make appropriate information available to the public to improve education and awareness about the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of Lyme disease.
2. It clarifies the annual reporting requirements on Lyme disease and other tick-borne illnesses to include information on diagnosis as well as treatment. It also requires the Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention to maintain a publicly accessible website to provide public awareness and education on Lyme disease and other tick-borne illnesses, including links to resources made available and recommended by the United States Department of Health and Human Services.
3. It requires health insurers to report claims data related to Lyme disease diagnosis as well as treatment.
4. It adds an emergency preamble and emergency clause.