H5040 — An Act relative to PANDAS/PANS screening in medical/clinical settings

Summary

An Act relative to PANDAS/PANS screening in medical/clinical settings

Bill Text

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The bill establishes and mandates screening programs for pediatric autoimmune neuropsychiatric disorders associated with streptococcal infections (PANDAS) and pediatric acute onset neuropsychiatric syndrome (PANS).

• Section 17R of chapter 32A

  for → screening and

  Adds 'screening and' to the existing text of the section.

• Chapter 111

  Section 242A. (a) For all children, the department shall establish a program for screening of pediatric autoimmune neuropsychiatric disorders associated with streptococcal infections, hereinafter referred to as PANDAS and pediatric acute onset neuropsychiatric syndrome, hereinafter referred to as PANS, which shall adhere to the recommendations developed by a medical professional consortium convened by the department for the purposes of researching, identifying, and publishing best practice standards for diagnosis and treatment of such disorders or syndrome that are accessible for medical professionals and are based on evidence of positive patient outcomes. (b) The department shall develop a PANS working criteria to describe a clinically distinct presentation defined as follows: (i) abrupt, dramatic onset of obsessive-compulsive disorder or severely restricted food intake; (ii) concurrent presence of additional neuropsychiatric symptoms, with similarly severe and acute onset, from at least 2 of the following categories: (1) anxiety; (2) emotional lability or depression; (3) irritability, aggression or severely oppositional behaviors; (4) behavioral or developmental regression; (5) deterioration in school performance related to attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)-like symptoms, memory deficits, cognitive changes; (6) sensory or motor abnormalities; (7) somatic signs and symptoms, including sleep disturbances, enuresis or urinary frequency; and (iii) symptoms are not better explained by a known neurologic or medical disorder, such as Sydenham chorea.

  Establishes a program for screening PANDAS and PANS, along with criteria for diagnosis.

• Chapter 112

  Section 12HH. (a) Each physician duly registered pursuant to section 2, 2A, 9, 9A, or 9B, each licensed child psychiatrist or psychologist, each licensed certified social worker or each licensed mental health counselor shall screen patients for pediatric autoimmune neuropsychiatric disorders associated with streptococcal infections, hereinafter referred to as PANDAS and pediatric acute onset neuropsychiatric syndrome, hereinafter referred to as PANS, at the intervals and using the methods specified in the regulations adopted pursuant to section 242A of chapter 111. (b) Each licensed, registered or approved health care facility serving children, including but not limited to hospitals and clinics licensed under section 51 of chapter 111 and health maintenance organizations approved under the provisions of chapter 176G, shall take appropriate steps to ensure that their patients receive such PANDAS/PANS screening.

  Mandates screening for PANDAS and PANS by health professionals and facilities.

• Section 47NN of chapter 175

  for → screening and

  Adds 'screening and' to the existing text of the section.

• Section 8OO of chapter 176A

  for → screening and

  Adds 'screening and' to the existing text of the section.

• Section 4OO of chapter 176B

  for → screening and

  Adds 'screening and' to the existing text of the section.

• Section 4GG of chapter 176G

  for → screening and

  Adds 'screening and' to the existing text of the section.

• The department of public health shall promulgate a working criteria and regulations to implement the provisions of section 242A of chapter 111 of the General Laws within 180 days of the effective date of this act.

  Requires the department of public health to develop regulations for the new screening program.

• SECTION 3 shall take effect 270 days after the effective date of this act.

  Establishes an effective date for the new screening regulations.

Sponsors

• Joint Committee on Financial Services · Primary

Subjects