An Act to Require the Reporting of Alpha-gal Syndrome to the Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention
Maine Legislature, Session 131, LD 2100
Committee: Health and Human Services
Sponsors: LIBBY, BALDACCI, JACKSON, TALBOT ROSS
Amends: 22 MRSA §802

Legislative Document
No. 2100
S.P. 893
In Senate, January 3, 2024
An Act to Require the Reporting of Alpha-gal Syndrome to the 
Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention
(EMERGENCY)
Approved for introduction by a majority of the Legislative Council pursuant to Joint Rule 
203.
Reference to the Committee on Health and Human Services suggested and ordered printed.
DAREK M. GRANT
Secretary of the Senate
Presented by Senator LIBBY of Cumberland.
Cosponsored by Senators: BALDACCI of Penobscot, President JACKSON of Aroostook, 
Representative: Speaker TALBOT ROSS of Portland.
Emergency preamble.  Whereas, acts and resolves of the Legislature do not 
become effective until 90 days after adjournment unless enacted as emergencies; and
Whereas, this Act requires the Department of Health and Human Services to add 
alpha-gal syndrome, a potentially life-threatening red meat allergy caused by a tick bite, to 
the list of conditions that must be reported to the Maine Center for Disease Control and 
Prevention; and
Whereas, this State has no requirement for reporting alpha-gal syndrome to the Maine 
Center for Disease Control and Prevention, limiting that agency's ability to track and 
respond to occurrences of alpha-gal syndrome; and
Whereas, rapid availability of data and increased awareness, including physician 
awareness, of the condition could benefit the public health and safety of the people of the 
State; and
Whereas, this legislation should take effect as soon as possible for the benefit of 
public health; and
Whereas, in the judgment of the Legislature, these facts create an emergency within 
the meaning of the Constitution of Maine and require the following legislation as 
immediately necessary for the preservation of the public peace, health and safety; now, 
therefore,
Be it enacted by the People of the State of Maine as follows:
Sec. 1.  22 MRSA §802, sub-§1-A is enacted to read:
1-A.  Designation of alpha-gal syndrome as notifiable disease or condition.  The 
department shall designate alpha-gal syndrome, also known as alpha-gal allergy or red meat 
allergy, as a notifiable disease or condition and require the reporting of occurrences and 
suspected occurrences of alpha-gal syndrome to the Maine Center for Disease Control and 
Prevention in the manner described by the department rules governing notifiable diseases 
and conditions.
For the purposes of this subsection, "alpha-gal syndrome" means a potentially life-
threatening tick-borne illness characterized as an allergy to a sugar molecule called alpha-
gal found in most mammals.
Emergency clause.  In view of the emergency cited in the preamble, this legislation 
takes effect when approved.
SUMMARY
This bill requires the Department of Health and Human Services to add alpha-gal 
syndrome, a potentially life-threatening red meat allergy caused by a tick bite, to the list of 
conditions that must be reported to the Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention 
by health care providers and other persons as described in the department rules governing 
notifiable diseases and conditions.