Bill > SB826

This bill amends existing Pennsylvania law to introduce new requirements for Lyme disease testing disclosure, focusing on improving patient awareness and communication. Specifically, when a clinical laboratory reports a Lyme disease test result, it must provide a notice to the health care practitioner that includes a mandatory disclosure informing patients that Lyme disease tests can be inaccurate and may not definitively confirm or rule out the disease. The health care practitioner is then required to pass this notice on to the patient when sharing the test results, emphasizing that patients should follow up with their provider if they continue to experience symptoms and discuss potential retesting or alternative treatment options. The bill clarifies that this new requirement does not replace existing professional obligations for health care practitioners to inform patients about test results, but rather supplements them. The new provisions will take effect 60 days after the bill's enactment, with the goal of promoting more transparent and comprehensive communication about the limitations of Lyme disease testing.

Health and Social Services

https://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/billinfo/bill_history.cfm?syear=2025&sind=0&body=S&type=B&bn=826