Virginia HB 850: Lyme disease; signage in state parks, instructional resources and materials, report.

Bill Text

VIRGINIAACTSOFASSEMBLY--2022SESSION
CHAPTER303
An Act to amend the Code of Virginia by adding sections numbered 10.1-200.01 and 22.1-206.1,
relating to Lyme disease; signage; instructional resources and materials.
[H850]
ApprovedApril11,2022
Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:
1. That the Code of Virginia is amended by adding sections numbered 10.1-200.01 and 22.1-206.1
as follows:
§10.1-200.01. Lyme disease signage.
A. The Department shall 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.
B. The Department shall install such signage first in those areas in the Commonwealth that have
been identified as most susceptible to Lyme disease and shall complete the installation of such signage
in all state parks and interstate parks by January 1, 2028.
C. Until it completes the installation of all such signage, the Department shall report its progress
annually to the House Committee on Agriculture, Chesapeake and Natural Resources and the Senate
Committee on Agriculture, Conservation and Natural Resources.
§22.1-206.1. Lyme disease; instructional resources and materials.
The Secretary of Education, in collaboration with the Secretary of Health and Human Resources and
the Secretary of Natural and Historic Resources, shall 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. 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.