2014 -- S 2924

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LC005304

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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: Senator Stephen R.Archambault

     Date Introduced: April 30, 2014

     Referred To: Senate Health & Human Services

     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 AND FALSE POSITIVE RESULTS, AND IF DONE

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TOO EARLY, YOU MAY NOT HAVE PRODUCED ENOUGH ANTIBODIES TO BE

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CONSIDERED POSITIVE BECAUSE YOU’RE YOUR IMMUNE RESPONSE REQUIRES

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TIME TO DEVELOP ANTIBODIES. IF YOU ARE TESTED FOR LYME DISEASE AND

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THE RESULTS ARE NEGATIVE THIS DOES NOT NECESSARILY MEAN YOU DO NOT

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HAVE LYME DISEASE. IF YOU CONTINUE TO EXPERIENCE SYMPTOMS, YOU

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SHOULD CONTACT YOUR HEALTH CARE PROVIDER AND INQUIRE ABOUT THE

 

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APPROPRIATENESS OF RETESTING OR 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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