CT SB00368

Establishes an advisory council on Lyme disease and other tick-borne diseases (bartonellosis, babesiosis, anaplasmosis, and ehrlichiosis) to assist the Commissioner of Public Health in developing best practices for prevention, diagnosis, and treatment.

Council shall review guidelines from national organizations including the International Lyme and Associated Disease Society and Infectious Diseases Society of America, examine policies in other states, and recommend best practices and improved information dissemination.

Council membership comprises 18 members including the Commissioners of Public Health, Agriculture, and Energy and Environmental Protection; physicians, specialists (ophthalmologist, rheumatologist, neurologist, pediatrician, psychologist), a veterinarian, researchers, and two patients with Lyme disease or tick-borne diseases.

All appointments must be made by July 31, 2013; council members serve three-year terms and receive no compensation except expense reimbursement; the first meeting must occur by September 1, 2013, with quarterly meetings thereafter.

Advisory council shall report annually to the joint standing committee on public health by September 1, 2014; Commissioner of Public Health shall report annually by January 1, 2015, on funding sources and expenditures related to Lyme disease and tick-borne disease activities.