Bill Text: VA HB1933 | 2013 | Regular Session | Chaptered
Bill Title: Lyme disease; written information to patient when ordering laboratory test for presence of disease.
Spectrum: Moderate Partisan Bill (Republican 8-1)
Status: (Passed) 2013-03-12 - Governor: Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP0215) [HB1933 Detail]
Download: Virginia-2013-HB1933-Chaptered.html
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Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia: 1. That the Code of Virginia is amended by adding a section numbered 54.1-2963.2 as follows: §54.1-2963.2. Lyme disease testing information disclosure. A. Every licensee or his in-office designee who orders a laboratory test for the presence of Lyme disease shall provide to the patient or his legal representative the following written information: "ACCORDING TO THE CENTERS FOR DISEASE CONTROL AND PREVENTION, AS OF 2011 LYME DISEASE IS THE SIXTH FASTEST GROWING DISEASE IN THE UNITED STATES. YOUR HEALTH CARE PROVIDER HAS ORDERED A LABORATORY TEST FOR THE PRESENCE OF LYME DISEASE FOR YOU. CURRENT LABORATORY TESTING FOR LYME DISEASE CAN BE PROBLEMATIC AND STANDARD LABORATORY TESTS OFTEN RESULT IN FALSE NEGATIVE AND FALSE POSITIVE RESULTS, AND IF DONE TOO EARLY, YOU MAY NOT HAVE PRODUCED ENOUGH ANTIBODIES TO BE CONSIDERED POSITIVE BECAUSE YOUR IMMUNE RESPONSE REQUIRES TIME TO DEVELOP ANTIBODIES. IF YOU ARE TESTED FOR LYME DISEASE, AND THE RESULTS ARE NEGATIVE, THIS DOES NOT NECESSARILY MEAN YOU DO NOT HAVE LYME DISEASE. IF YOU CONTINUE TO EXPERIENCE SYMPTOMS, YOU SHOULD CONTACT YOUR HEALTH CARE PROVIDER AND INQUIRE ABOUT THE APPROPRIATENESS OF RETESTING OR ADDITIONAL TREATMENT." B. Licensees shall be immune from civil liability for the provision of the written information required by this section absent gross negligence or willful misconduct. 2. That the provisions of this act shall expire on July 1, 2018. |
