HB850:

Lyme disease; signage in state parks, instructional resources and materials.

Bill Summary:

Lyme disease; signage; instructional resources and materials. Requires the Department of Conservation and Recreation to develop and post in each state park and interstate park signage addressing the appropriate steps a visitor can take to prevent tick bites, how to identify Lyme disease, and where to seek treatment. The bill requires the Department to install such signage first in those areas in the Commonwealth that have been identified as most susceptible to Lyme disease and to complete the installation of such signage in all state parks and interstate parks by January 1, 2028. The bill also requires the Secretary of Education, in collaboration with the Secretary of Health and Human Resources and the Secretary of Natural Resources, to develop instructional resources and materials to assist school boards and local and regional public libraries in establishing an education and awareness program to protect children from Lyme disease and other tick-borne infections. The bill provides that such instructional resources and materials (i) shall be appropriate for individuals of school age; (ii) shall provide information on the identification of ticks, recommended procedures for safe tick removal, and best practices to provide protection from ticks; (iii) may include video productions, pamphlets, and demonstration programs to illustrate the sizes of various ticks, including sizes before and after each variety has become engorged, to assist with the identification of a tick and the reaction on the skin that may result from a tick bite; and (iv) shall be made available to school boards and local and regional public libraries upon request at no charge.