2014 -- H 7123 SUBSTITUTE A AS AMENDED

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2014

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A N   A C T

RELATING TO BUSINESSES AND PROFESSIONS - LYME DISEASE DIAGNOSIS AND

TREATMENT

     

     Introduced By: Representatives Costantino, Ruggiero, Winfield, Keable, and Marshall

     Date Introduced: January 16, 2014

     Referred To: House Health, Education & Welfare

     It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

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     SECTION 1. Chapter 5-37.5 of the General Laws entitled "Lyme Disease Diagnosis and

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Treatment" is hereby amended by adding thereto the following section:

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     5-37.5-6. Lyme disease testing information disclosure. -- (a) Every physician or his/her

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in-office designee who orders a laboratory test for the presence of Lyme disease shall provide to

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the patient or his/her legal representative the following information.

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     "ACCORDING TO THE CENTERS FOR DISEASE CONTROL AND PREVENTION,

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AS OF 2011 LYME DISEASE IS THE SIXTH FASTEST GROWING DISEASE IN THE

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UNITED STATES.

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     YOUR HEALTH CARE PROVIDER HAS ORDERED A LABORATORY TEST FOR

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THE PRESENCE OF LYME DISEASE FOR YOU. CURRENT LABORATORY TESTING

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FOR LYME DISEASE CAN BE PROBLEMATIC AND STANDARD LABORATORY TESTS

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OFTEN RESULT IN FALSE NEGATIVE RESULTS, AND IF DONE TOO EARLY, YOU

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MAY NOT HAVE PRODUCED ENOUGH ANTIBODIES TO BE CONSIDERED POSITIVE

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BECAUSE YOUR IMMUNE RESPONSE REQUIRES TIME TO DEVELOP ANTIBODIES. IF

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YOU ARE TESTED FOR LYME DISEASE AND THE RESULTS ARE NEGATIVE THIS

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DOES NOT NECESSARILY MEAN YOU DO NOT HAVE LYME DISEASE. IF YOU

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CONTINUE TO EXPERIENCE SYMPTOMS, YOU SHOULD CONTACT YOUR HEALTH

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CARE PROVIDER AND INQUIRE ABOUT THE APPROPRIATENESS OF RETESTING OR

 

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ADDITIONAL TREATMENT."

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     (b) Physicians shall be immune from civil liability for the provision of the written

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information required by this section absent gross negligence or willful misconduct.

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     SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.

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EXPLANATION

BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

OF

A N   A C T

RELATING TO BUSINESSES AND PROFESSIONS - LYME DISEASE DIAGNOSIS AND

TREATMENT

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     This act would require that a written notice be given to a person who has been referred

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for testing for Lyme disease. This act would also provide physicians with immunity from civil

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liability for the provision of the written notice, absent gross negligence or willful misconduct.

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     This act would take effect upon passage.

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