Bill > HR4979

This bill establishes a voluntary Tick Identification Pilot Program that would allow the Secretary of Health and Human Services, through the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), to award grants to states for creating tick identification programs. States with higher reported cases of Lyme disease and other tick-borne diseases would receive priority. The program would enable individuals to electronically submit photos of ticks they encounter, including details about the location and date of the encounter. Within 72 hours, a qualified professional (defined as a biologist with vector biology expertise) would review the image and respond to the individual with the tick's likely species, estimated disease risk, recommended medical actions, and prevention advice. Participating states would be required to maintain a comprehensive database of reported tick incidents, tracking details such as encounter location, tick characteristics, and provided guidance. The Secretary would be responsible for collecting annual data from these programs and submitting reports to Congress from fiscal years 2026 through 2029, with the goal of improving public understanding and management of tick-related health risks.

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https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/house-bill/4979/all-info