Tick Identification Pilot Program Act of 2023

Bill: 118-hr-4412
Sponsor: full_name: Rep. Gottheimer, Josh [D-NJ-5]
Introduced: 2023-06-30
Policy area: Health
Subjects: Congressional oversight

Health information and medical records

Health programs administration and funding

Health promotion and preventive care

Infectious and parasitic diseases

Insects

Medical tests and diagnostic methods

Photography and imaging
Latest action: action_date: 2023-07-07
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.

Summaries:
action_date: 2023-06-30
action_desc: Introduced in House
text: <p><b>Tick Identification Pilot Program Act of </b><b>2023</b></p> <p>This bill authorizes the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to award grants to states to implement tick-identification programs, which&nbsp;must allow individuals to electronically report tick incidents and receive feedback from experts as to the appropriate follow-up action.</p>

tv_txt: I 118th CONGRESS 1st Session H. R. 4412 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES June 30, 2023 Mr. Gottheimer (for himself and Mr. Kean of New Jersey ) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce A BILL To direct the Secretary of Health and Human Services, acting through the Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, to award grants to States to implement a tick identification pilot program.

1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Tick Identification Pilot Program Act of 2023 . 2. Tick identification pilot program (a) Establishment The Secretary of Health and Human Services, acting through the Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, may award grants to States to implement a tick identification program. (b) Priority In awarding grants under this section, the Secretary shall give priority to States that— (1) have more reported cases of Lyme disease; and (2) submit an effective plan for implementation and maintenance of a tick identification program. (c) Program requirements Any program funded under this section shall— (1) allow individuals to submit electronically photo images of ticks encountered; (2) require images of ticks to be submitted with the likely geographic location where the ticks were encountered, the date on which the ticks were encountered, and the likely physical location where the ticks were found (for example, on a pet, on a human, or loose); (3) after review by a qualified professional, respond to the individual directly within 72 hours of the image being received with— (A) if possible, identification of the species and life stage of the tick; (B) if possible, an estimate of the risk that the tick carried a tick-borne disease; (C) a recommendation of the best practices for the individual who encountered the tick, including with respect to seeking medical evaluation and submitting the tick for testing; and (D) additional education on best methods to avoid ticks and prevent contagion of tick-borne illnesses; and (4) maintain a database of reported tick incidents, including— (A) the date, geographic location, and environment of the encounter; (B) any identifying information about the tick that was determined; and (C) best practices that were disseminated to each reporting individual. (d) Application To seek a grant under this section, a State shall submit an application at such time, in such form, and containing such information as the Secretary may prescribe. (e) Data collection; report (1) Data collection The Secretary shall collect, with respect to each State program funded under this section and each fiscal year, the following data: (A) The number of tick incidents reported. (B) For each incident reported— (i) the date, geographic location, and environment of the encounter; (ii) any identifying information about the tick that was determined; and (iii) best practices that were disseminated to each reporting individual. (2) Report Not later than 90 days after the first day of each of fiscal years 2024 through 2027, the Secretary shall prepare and submit to the Congress a report on the data collected under paragraph (1). (f) Definition In this Act: (1) The term qualified professional means a biologist with a background in vector biology. (2) The term Secretary means the Secretary of Health and Human Services, acting through the Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.