S2924A

	2014 -- S 2924 SUBSTITUTE A
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	LC005304/SUB A
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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:
1	SECTION 1. Chapter 5-37.5 of the General Laws entitled "Lyme Disease Diagnosis and
2	Treatment" is hereby amended by adding thereto the following section:
3	5-37.5-6. Lyme disease testing information disclosure. – (a) Every physician or his/her
4	in-office designee who orders a laboratory test for the presence of Lyme disease may provide to
5	the patient or his/her legal representative the following information.
6	“ACCORDING TO THE CENTERS FOR DISEASE CONTROL AND PREVENTION,
7	AS OF 2011 LYME DISEASE IS THE SIXTH FASTEST GROWING DISEASE IN THE
8	UNITED STATES.
9	YOUR HEALTH CARE PROVIDER HAS ORDERED A LABORATORY TEST FOR
10	THE PRESENCE OF LYME DISEASE FOR YOU. CURRENT LABORATORY TESTING
11	FOR LYME DISEASE CAN BE PROBLEMATIC AND STANDARD LABORATORY TESTS
12	OFTEN RESULT IN FALSE NEGATIVE AND FALSE POSITIVE RESULTS, AND IF DONE
13	TOO EARLY, YOU MAY NOT HAVE PRODUCED ENOUGH ANTIBODIES TO BE
14	CONSIDERED POSITIVE BECAUSE YOU’RE YOUR IMMUNE RESPONSE REQUIRES
15	TIME TO DEVELOP ANTIBODIES. IF YOU ARE TESTED FOR LYME DISEASE AND
16	THE RESULTS ARE NEGATIVE THIS DOES NOT NECESSARILY MEAN YOU DO NOT
17	HAVE LYME DISEASE. IF YOU CONTINUE TO EXPERIENCE SYMPTOMS, YOU
18	SHOULD CONTACT YOUR HEALTH CARE PROVIDER AND INQUIRE ABOUT THE

1	APPROPRIATENESS OF RETESTING OR ADDITIONAL TREATMENT.”
2	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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1	This act would require that a written notice may be given to a person who has been
2	referred for testing for Lyme disease.
3	This act would take effect upon passage.
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	LC005304/SUB A
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