HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

152nd GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HOUSE BILL NO. 71

AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 16 RELATING TO THE LYME DISEASE EDUCATION OVERSIGHT BOARD.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF DELAWARE:

Section 1. Amend Chapter 1, Title 16 of the Delaware Code by making deletions as shown by strike through and insertions as shown by underline as follows:

§ 140. Lyme Disease Education Oversight Board [Expires Aug. 29, 2024, pursuant to 80 Del. Laws, c. 402, § 2].

(a) The Lyme Disease Education Oversight Board (“the Board”) is established to implement health-care professional education on Lyme disease to improve understanding of the disease. The goal of the Board is to educate health-care professionals regarding the need for a unified strategy to combat Lyme disease and other tick-related diseases in Delaware. For administrative and budgetary purposes only, the Board shall be placed within the Department of Health and Social Services. The Delaware Division of Public Health shall provide staff support for the Board.

(c) The Board shall:

(1) Determine the content of Lyme disease medical education materials, ensuring quality and balanced medical education by including the philosophies of the Centers For Disease Control, the guidelines established by the International Lyme and Associated Diseases Society, as well as the latest scientific evidence and research relating to Lyme disease and other tick-related diseases .

(2) Educate health-care professionals in the State that Lyme disease and other tick-related diseases can be diagnosed clinically based on history and physical examination, and serologic antibody testing can confirm, but is not required to make, a clinical diagnosis.

(3) Educate health-care professionals to develop a high level of awareness of Lyme disease and other tick-related diseases .

(4) In conjunction with the Medical Society of Delaware and the Delaware Nurses Association, develop continuing medical education credits and nursing continuing education units on Lyme disease and other tick-related diseases and encourage health-care professionals to take the continuing education courses as soon as reasonably practicable.

(5) Host continuing medical education and nursing continuing education trainings relating to Lyme disease and other tick-related diseases in all 3 counties and, if reasonably practicable, at hospitals to encourage the largest possible attendance by health-care professionals.

(6) Deliver education in a variety of methods, using professional associations, medical journals, radio, Internet, conferences, and linking medical training with a public awareness campaign relating to Lyme disease and other tick-related diseases .

Section 2. This Act supersedes the sunset provision provided in 80 Del. Laws c. 402 § 1.

Section 3. The Lyme Disease Education Oversight Board expires in 2032 unless otherwise provided by a subsequent act of the General Assembly.

SYNOPSIS

This bill clarifies that the goal and function of the Lyme Disease Education Oversight Board includes Lyme Disease and other tick-related diseases. This Act supersedes the previous sunset provision that established the Board in House Bill 291 from the 148th General Assembly (80 Del. Laws c. 402 § 1) and extends the Board’s existence until 2032 unless otherwise provided by a subsequent act of the General Assembly.