WHEREAS, Delaware has one of the highest incidences of Lyme Disease in the United States; and

WHEREAS, Lyme Disease poses a serious and growing threat to the health and safety of Delawareans; and

WHEREAS, Lyme Disease requires not only a health strategy, but also input from our agricultural community, education system, and housing regulators to create a model for education, treatment, and prevention statewide; and

WHEREAS, Delaware can bring together many experts and stakeholders from our communities, Executive branch, and the General Assembly in finding innovative and coordinated efforts to address this persistent issue; and

WHEREAS, the key to past success in Delaware has been the input and co-operation of our resident experts for the common good of all our citizens.

NOW THEREFORE:

BE IT RESOLVED by the Senate of the 147th General Assembly of the State of Delaware, the House of Representatives concurring therein, with the approval of the Governor, that a Joint Executive and Legislative Task Force be established to study and make findings and recommendations regarding the need for a unified strategy to combat Lyme Disease in Delaware.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Lyme Disease Prevention Task Force be composed of the following members:

1. A member of the Senate Majority appointed by the President pro tempore shall serve as a co-chair and a member of the Senate Minority appointed by the Senate Minority Leader shall serve as a member;

2. A member of the House Majority appointed by the Speaker of the House shall serve as co-chair and a member of the House Minority appointed by the House Minority Leader shall serve as a member;

3. A representative from the Office of the Governor, appointed by the Governor;

4. The Secretary of the Department of Health and Social Services or a designee appointed by the Secretary;

5. The Secretary of the Department of Agriculture or a designee appointed by the Secretary;

6. The Secretary of the Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control or a designee appointed by the Secretary;

7. The Secretary of the Department of Education or a designee appointed by the Secretary;

8. The Director of the Delaware Economic and Development Office or a designee appointed by the Director; and

9. Three public members; one appointed by the Governor, one by the President pro tempore, and one by the Speaker of the House

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the President pro tempore of the Senate and the Speaker of the House, in co-operation with the Governor, jointly ask for representatives from the following Delaware Organizations to advise this Task Force:

1. Delaware Housing Authority;

2. Delaware Healthcare Association;

3. The Medical Society of Delaware;

4. Delaware State Education Association;

5. Delaware Nurses Association; and

6. The Delaware Veterinary Medical Association.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the focus of the Task Force’s study, findings, and recommendations include, but are not limited to:

1. Education materials on Lyme Disease to be created and distributed to schools, animal shelters, treatment facilities, and civic associations where practicable;

2. Work to examine and advance detection and prevention services administered by medical professionals and institutions against Lyme Disease;

3. Examination of regulations including but not limited to carrying of ticks by pets and other domestic animals;

4. Investigation into child- and environmentally-safe methods of combating ticks and other carriers of Lyme Disease; and

5. Appropriate tracking of data and coordination with neighboring states.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the co-chairs of the Task Force be responsible for guiding the administration of the Task Force by, at a minimum:

1. Setting a date, time, and place for the initial organizational meeting;

2. Supervising the preparation and distribution of meeting notices, agendas, minutes, correspondence, and reports of the Task Force; and

3. Ensuring that the final report of the Task Force is submitted to the President pro tempore of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives with a copy to the Governor and to the Director of the Division of Research of Legislative Council and to the Delaware Public Archives.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the President pro tempore of the Senate and the Speaker of the House direct the necessary staff of both houses to assist this Task Force.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Joint Task Force shall report back to the General Assembly by June 1, 2015 any recommendations for legislative or executive action to meet the objective of coordinated efforts to prevent Lyme Disease. The Joint Task Force shall sunset at that time.

SPONSOR:	Sen. Lopez & Rep. Schwartzkopf
	Sens. Bonini, Cloutier, Ennis, Henry, Hocker, Lavelle, Lawson, McDowell, Peterson, Pettyjohn, Simpson; Reps. Baumbach, Briggs King, Gray, Hudson, Kenton, Kowalko, Miro, Osienski, D. Short, M. Smith, Spiegelman