Signed by Governor Josh Shapiro

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that requires parental notification on student tick removal and the dangers and symptoms of Lyme disease in pennsylvania.

Highlights:

• Establishes the following (Sec. 1402): 

• Requires school nurse, physical, or employee to remove a tick from a student by the guidelines of the Secretary of Health. With regards to the tick, the following shall occur: 

• Preserved and given to parents or guardians for testing at the Tick Research Lab should they want to; or

• Sent directly to Tick Research Lab in Pennsylvania, results will be informed to parents or guardians. 

• Requires staff to notify in writing of the tick removal to parent or guardian, stating the following:

• Notification of the removal;

• Common illness contracted by ticks;

• Awareness that not all bites lead to disease;

• Instructions to record the date of bite;

• Recommendations on how to proceed including the specific symptoms; that they should be attentive to; and

• Warning regarding symptoms and outcomes if no treatment is sought.  

• Requires the Secretary of Health to publish guidelines online. 

• Specifies that the provisions of this bill shall become effective immediately upon passage and approval by the Governor (Sec. 1402).

Full Bill Text