HB1326 (2010) Detail

Relative to the use of long-term antibiotics for the treatment of Lyme disease.


HB 1326 – AS AMENDED BY THE SENATE

17Feb2010… 0574h

05/12/10 2045s

2010 SESSION

10-2200

10/01

HOUSE BILL 1326

AN ACT establishing a committee to investigate and assess access to viable and credible alternative medical practices and protocols to Lyme disease.

SPONSORS: Rep. Daniels, Hills 6; Rep. Vita, Straf 3

COMMITTEE: Health, Human Services and Elderly Affairs

AMENDED ANALYSIS

This bill establishes a committee to investigate and assess access to viable and credible alternative medical practices and protocols to Lyme disease.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Explanation: Matter added to current law appears in bold italics.

Matter removed from current law appears [in brackets and struckthrough.]

Matter which is either (a) all new or (b) repealed and reenacted appears in regular type.

17Feb2010… 0574h

05/12/10 2045s

10-2200

10/01

STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE

In the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand Ten

AN ACT establishing a committee to investigate and assess access to viable and credible alternative medical practices and protocols to Lyme disease.

Be it Enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court convened:

1 Purpose and Intent. It is the intent of the general court to investigate and assess access to viable and credible alternative medical practices and protocols to Lyme disease, and that during the duration of the work of the committee established by this act, the board of medicine established under RSA 329 will:

I. Post on its website its policy relative to intended disciplinary action toward doctors who prescribe long term antibiotics for Lyme disease.

II. Refrain from undertaking disciplinary proceedings against or sanctioning credentialed medical professionals solely for offering credible treatment approaches to Lyme disease within their scope of practice based solely on such treatment approach, provided that practitioners provide patients being so treated with disclosure that the treatment approach may be an alternative to Infectious Disease Society of America (IDSA) accepted medical practice, provide details as to potential adverse affects, and request a signature of acknowledgement of receipt of the disclosure. Provided, however, that nothing in this paragraph shall lessen the standard of care applicable to practitioners licensed by the board.

2 Committee Established. There is established a committee to investigate and assess access to viable and credible alternative medical practices and protocols to Lyme disease.

3 Membership and Compensation.

I. The members of the committee shall be as follows:

(a) Two members of the senate, one of whom shall be a member of the health and human services committee and one of whom shall be a member of the executive departments and administration committee, appointed by the president of the senate.

(b) Five members of the house of representatives, 2 of whom shall be members of the health, human services and elderly affairs committee and 2 of whom shall be members of the executive departments and administration committee, appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives.

II. Members of the committee shall receive mileage at the legislative rate when attending to the duties of the committee.

4 Duties. The committee shall:

I. Investigate ways to ensure that patients in New Hampshire have access to alternative treatment approaches to Lyme disease that are evidence based and supported by credentialed practitioners.

II. Determine whether medical practitioners in New Hampshire are prohibited, disciplined, or sanctioned, in substantive ways that would negatively impact the pursuit of their profession.

III. Assess ways in which a full range of treatment approaches or clinical studies may be made available to our citizens seeking Lyme disease treatment while ensuring that these citizens are not put to unacceptable risks of further physical harm.

IV. Seek input on and work with the department of health and human services, division of public health services in creating a comprehensive education program concerning Lyme disease for the citizens of New Hampshire.

5 Chairperson; Meetings; Quorum. The members of the committee shall elect a chairperson from among the members. The first meeting of the committee shall be called by the first-named senate member. The first meeting of the committee shall be held within 60 days of the effective date of this section. All meetings of the committee shall be public meetings and fully noticed by publication by the house and senate clerks in the House Calendar and Senate Calendar, respectively. Four members of the committee shall constitute a quorum.

6 Report. The committee shall report detailing its activities, its findings, and any recommendations, including proposals for legislation to the president of the senate, the speaker of the House of Representatives, the chairs of the senate and house executive departments and administration committees, the senate clerk, the house clerk, the governor, and the state library on or before June 30, 2011.

7 Effective Date. This act shall take effect upon its passage.