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Bill > SB233
PA SB233
PA SB233Providing for continuing education in Lyme disease and related tick-borne diseases for health care professionals.
summary
Introduced
01/31/2023
01/31/2023
In Committee
01/31/2023
01/31/2023
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
12/31/2024
12/31/2024
Introduced Session
2023-2024 Regular Session
Bill Summary
Providing for continuing education in Lyme disease and related tick-borne diseases for health care professionals. The General Assembly finds and declares as follows: (1) This Commonwealth has ranked the highest in the country in the number of confirmed cases of Lyme disease in prior years and in 2017 reported 11,900 new cases of Lyme disease. (2) Between 2000 and 2016, cases jumped in this Commonwealth from 2,271 to 11,443, according to the Department of Health, accounting for approximately 40% of the nation's cases. (3) Because cases may be under-reported by a factor of 10, cases may actually exceed 110,000, as estimated by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (4) The Department of Environmental Protection published a study in 2015 that confirmed a high risk of Lyme disease in every county of this Commonwealth and found all 67 counties had the blacklegged tick. (5) The early clinical diagnosis and appropriate treatment of these tick-borne disorders and diseases can greatly reduce the risks of continued, diverse and chronic symptoms that can affect every system and organ of the human body and often every aspect of an individual's life. (6) Residents of this Commonwealth should be aware of early disseminated and persistent symptoms and should know that a negative Lyme test cannot rule out Lyme disease. (7) Scientific understanding of these complex tick-borne illnesses is expected to evolve rapidly in the next decade, including diagnosis and treatment options. (8) The high burden of tick-borne diseases in this Commonwealth requires an urgent and ongoing response. Health care practitioner education is a specific strategy recommended.
AI Summary
This bill requires health care professionals in Pennsylvania, including physicians, physician assistants, and nurse practitioners, to complete at least two hours of continuing education on the assessment, diagnosis, and treatment of Lyme disease and other related tick-borne diseases as part of their license renewal process. The bill defines key terms like "Lyme disease" and "related tick-borne diseases," and requires the licensing boards to establish the specific content of the continuing education, which must address the latest research, patient presentation, diagnostic options, and treatment options. The bill also specifies that the licensing boards must seek input from experts in Lyme disease and related tick-borne diseases, and consider various guidelines and the latest scientific evidence when developing the continuing education requirements.
Committee Categories
Labor and Employment
Sponsors (11)
Michele Brooks (R)*,
Jim Brewster (D),
Maria Collett (D),
Carolyn Comitta (D),
Jay Costa (D),
John Kane (D),
Wayne Langerholc (R),
Doug Mastriano (R),
Devlin Robinson (R),
Sharif Street (D),
Judy Ward (R),
Last Action
Referred to CONSUMER PROTECTION AND PROFESSIONAL LICENSURE (on 01/31/2023)
Bill Topics
Health
- ‐ Communicable Diseases
- ‐ Health Manpower and Training
- ‐ Regulation of Health-Related Occupations and Services
Official Document
bill text
bill summary
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bill summary
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bill summary
| Document Type | Source Location | Created |
|---|---|---|
| State Bill Page | https://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/billinfo/bill_history.cfm?syear=2023&sind=0&body=S&type=B&bn=233 | 01/31/2023 |
| BillText | https://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/legis/PN/Public/btCheck.cfm?txtType=PDF&sessYr=2023&sessInd=0&billBody=S&billTyp=B&billNbr=0233&pn=0200 | 01/31/2023 |
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