Pennsylvania SB 826: An Act amending the act of October 24, 2018 (P.L.719, No.112), known as the Patient Test Result Information Act, further providing for definitions; providing for Lyme disease testing disclosure; and imposing duties on health care practitioners.

Bill Text

PRINTER'S NO. 883
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
SENATE BILL
No. 826
Session of
2025
INTRODUCED BY FLYNN, LAUGHLIN, COSTA, BARTOLOTTA, BOSCOLA AND
ROTHMAN, JUNE 3, 2025
REFERRED TO HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, JUNE 3, 2025
AN ACT
Amending the act of October 24, 2018 (P.L.719, No.112), entitled
"An act providing for notification of patient test results to
be sent directly to a patient or the patient's designee; and
providing for duties of the Department of Health," further
providing for definitions; providing for Lyme disease testing
disclosure; and imposing duties on health care practitioners.
The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
hereby enacts as follows:
Section 1. Section 2 of the act of October 24, 2018
(P.L.719, No.112), known as the Patient Test Result Information
Act, is amended by adding a definition to read:
Section 2. Definitions.
The following words and phrases when used in this act shall
have the meanings given to them in this section unless the
context clearly indicates otherwise:
"Clinical laboratory." As defined in section 2 of the act of
September 26, 1951 (P.L.1539, No.389), known as The Clinical
Laboratory Act.
* * *
Section 2. The act is amended by adding a section to read:
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Section 3.1. Lyme disease testing disclosure.
(a) Notice to health care practitioner.--When a clinical
laboratory is reporting a Lyme disease test result ordered by a
health care practitioner, the clinical laboratory shall provide
notice to the health care practitioner, which shall include, at
minimum, the following disclosure:
Patients undergoing a Lyme disease test should be aware
that Lyme disease tests vary and may produce results that
are not accurate. This means a patient may not be able to
rely on a positive or negative test. If you continue to
experience symptoms, you should contact your health care
provider and inquire about the appropriateness of
retesting and the applicability for pursuing additional
or alternative treatment options.
(b) Notice to patient required.--A health care practitioner
receiving a notice under subsection (a) shall provide the notice
to the patient who is the subject of the Lyme disease test
result at the time the health care practitioner provides the
patient the test results from the clinical laboratory.
(c) Existing medical professional duty and obligation.--
Nothing in this act shall be construed as relieving a health
care practitioner from complying with an existing professional
obligation to inform a patient of test results.
Section 3. This act shall take effect in 60 days.
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