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S 1503 114th Congress Senate

Lyme and Tick-Borne Disease Prevention, Education, and Research Act of 2015

Official title: A bill to provide for enhanced Federal efforts concerning the prevention, education, treatment, and research activities related to Lyme disease and other tick-… Show full official titleShow less

Official title: A bill to provide for enhanced Federal efforts concerning the prevention, education, treatment, and research activities related to Lyme disease and other tick-borne diseases, including the establishment of a Tick-Borne Diseases Advisory Committee.

Introduced: June 4, 2015 Introduced by: Blumenthal, Richard Democratic · Connecticut See on congress.gov
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Health programs administration and fundingHealth promotion and preventive careInfectious and parasitic diseasesMedical educationMedical researchMedical tests and diagnostic methodsPublic contracts and procurementResearch administration and fundingScientific communication
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This bill died when the 114th Congress ended
It never became law before the 114th Congress (2015–2016) adjourned, and bills don't carry over to the next Congress. It would have to be reintroduced. You can still save it for reference, but it won't receive updates.
 Everywhere this bill has been 2 steps
Introduced
In committee
Reported out
Passed House
Passed Senate
To President
Became law
Jun 4, 2015
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
Jun 4, 2015
Introduced in Senate
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 Latest action June 4, 2015

Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.

 Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service

Lyme and Tick-Borne Disease Prevention, Education, and Research Act of 2015

This bill requires the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to establish the Tick-Borne Diseases Advisory Committee to advise HHS on how to: (1) ensure coordination with other federal agencies, private organizations, and constituency groups regarding efforts to address Lyme disease and other tick-borne diseases; (2) ensure that a broad spectrum of scientific viewpoints is considered in public health policy decisions and that information disseminated to the public and physicians is based on the best available science; and (3) advise federal agencies on priorities related to tick-borne diseases.

HHS must coordinate federal activities related to tick-borne diseases and conduct or support activities related to tick-borne diseases, including:

  • developing diagnostic tools and tests,
  • improving the efficient utilization of diagnostic tests,
  • surveillance and reporting,
  • providing and promoting access to a clearinghouse of information,
  • increasing public education,
  • creating a physician education program on the latest research and treatment options for Lyme disease,
  • research on tick repellents and strategies for the control of ticks,
  • exploring the potential for vaccines,
  • establishing epidemiological research objectives, and
  • determining the effectiveness of different treatments.

HHS must report on scientific conferences that cost the federal government more than $100,000 and address tick-borne diseases.

 Related & companion bills 1
  • HR 665 Related bill To provide for the establishment of the Tick-Borne Diseases Advisory Committee.
 Bill text 1 version

Source documents hosted by congress.gov.

 Committees of jurisdiction 1
 Cosponsors 14
All 14 Democratic 9 Republican 3 Independent 2
R
Capito, Shelley Moore
West Virginia · Sep 7, 2016
 I
Sanders, Bernard
Vermont · Apr 26, 2016
 R
Boozman, John
Arkansas · Apr 11, 2016
 D
Booker, Cory A.
New Jersey · Apr 5, 2016
 D
Baldwin, Tammy
Wisconsin · Oct 21, 2015
 R
Collins, Susan M.
Maine · Sep 9, 2015
 D
Shaheen, Jeanne
New Hampshire · Sep 9, 2015
 I
King, Angus S., Jr.
Maine · Jun 10, 2015
 D
Coons, Christopher A.
Delaware · Jun 4, 2015
 D
Gillibrand, Kirsten E.
New York · Jun 4, 2015
 D
Klobuchar, Amy
Minnesota · Jun 4, 2015
 D
Reed, Jack
Rhode Island · Jun 4, 2015
 D
Schumer, Charles E.
New York · Jun 4, 2015
 D
Whitehouse, Sheldon
Rhode Island · Jun 4, 2015
Cite this page click to expand
APA
U.S. Congress. (2026). S. 1503: Lyme and Tick-Borne Disease Prevention, Education, and Research Act of 2015. 114th Congress. Open America. https://openamerica.io/bill/114-S-1503/
MLA
"S. 1503: Lyme and Tick-Borne Disease Prevention, Education, and Research Act of 2015." 114th Congress, 2026, Open America, https://openamerica.io/bill/114-S-1503/.
Bluebook (legal)
S. 1503, 114th Cong. (2026), https://openamerica.io/bill/114-S-1503/.
Markdown link
[S. 1503: Lyme and Tick-Borne Disease Prevention, Education, and Research Act of 2015](https://openamerica.io/bill/114-S-1503/)
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