HB 425 — AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 16 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO THE LYME DISEASE OVERSIGHT BOARD.

A member of the public at large.

b.

One infectious disease epidemiologist.

Upon the HDresignation :or replacement of that member, the Speaker shall appoint a member to represent the public at large.

(4) The Director of the Division of Public Health, or the Director’s designee.

(c) The Board shall:

(1) Determine the content of Lyme disease medical education materials, ensuring quality and balanced medical education by including the philosophies of the Centers For Disease Control, the guidelines established by the International Lyme and Associated Diseases Society, as well as the latest scientific evidence and research.

(2) Educate health-care professionals in the State that Lyme disease can be diagnosed clinically based on history and physical examination, and serologic antibody testing can confirm, but is not required to make, a clinical diagnosis.

(3) Educate health-care professionals to develop a high level of awareness of Lyme disease.

(4) In conjunction with the Medical Society of Delaware and the Delaware Nurses Association, develop continuing medical education credits and nursing continuing education units on Lyme disease and encourage health- care professionals to take the continuing education courses as soon as reasonably practicable.

(5) Host continuing medical education and nursing continuing education trainings in all 3 counties and, if reasonably practicable, at hospitals to encourage the largest possible attendance by health-care professionals.

(6) Deliver education in a variety of methods, using professional associations, medical journals, radio, Internet, conferences, and linking medical training with a public awareness campaign.

(d) Appointment terms for the Board are as follows:

The Governor shall appoint members for an initial term of 1 year, and thereafter shall appoint members for staggered terms so that no more than 3 members’ terms expire in any 1 calendar year.

An appointed member serves for a term of up to 3 years and is eligible for reappointment.

(1) The members appointed by the Pro Tempore of the Senate and the Speaker of the House and the member who is an advocate for the prevention and treatment of Lyme disease are appointed for an initial term of 3 years.

(2) The member who is licensed to practice medicine and the member who is licensed to practice nursing are appointed for an initial term of 2 years.

HD :

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06/13/202205/12/2022 11:5411:48 AM resignation(3) orThe replacementmember ofwho thatis member,a thehealth-care Speakerprofessional shallother appointthan aphysician or nurse and the member towho representhas knowledge and experience in the publiclicensure atand large.regulation of health care are appointed for an initial term of 1 year.

2(4) After the initial terms, members asare follows:appointed or reappointed for terms of 3 years, but each appointing authority may appoint or reappoint members for a term of less than 3 years to ensure that no more than 3 members’ terms expire annually.

a.(e) The Board shall select a Chair and Vice Chair from among its members.

(f) A membermajority of members appointed to the publicBoard atshall large.constitute a quorum to conduct official business.

b.(g) If a vote by the Board results in a tie, the Board’s Chair may vote a second time to break the tie.

One(h) Delaware(g) licensedMembers veterinarianof orthe entomologyBoard specialist.shall serve without compensation, except that they shall be reimbursed for reasonable and necessary expenses incident to their duties as members of the Board excluding mileage.

(4) The DirectorDepartment ofshall thepay Divisionsuch ofexpenses. Public Health, or the Director’s designee.”.

FURTHER(i) AMEND(h) HouseThe BillDepartment No.shall submit to the Governor and the General Assembly an annual report that contains, at a minimum, all of the following information:

425(1) byThe deletingtitle, linesdescription, 48 and 49schedule inof theircontinuing entiretymedical education and insertingnursing incontinuing lieueducation thereofcourses therelated following:to Lyme disease education.

“(1)(2) TheAttendance members appointed by the Pro Tempore of thecontinuing Senatemedical andeducation the Speaker of the House of Representatives and thenursing membercontinuing 2education memberscourses whoby is an advocate are advocates for the preventionhealth-care andprofessional treatmentpopulation. of Lyme disease are appointed for an initial term of 3 years.”.

SYNOPSIS(3) ThisSpecific amendmentaccounting makesof thefees followingand changescosts. to House Bill No.

425:SYNOPSIS This bill makes needed changes to the Lyme Disease Oversight Board by adding 2 members including an infectious disease epidemiologist and a licensed veterinarian or entomology specialist.

(1)It provides the Speaker of the House of Representatives and the Pro Tempore of the Senate each an additional appointment to the Lyme Disease Oversight Board;

and (2) Includes a licensed health care professional other than a nurse or physician who had been removed by House Bill No.

425 back on the Board.

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