The Lyme Screening Act establishes requirements for health care facilities and practitioners serving children in New Jersey to conduct Lyme disease screenings during well-child visits. Licensed health care facilities and designated agencies must perform a Lyme screening on each child unless they are aware that the child has already been screened. The Department of Health is tasked with developing a standardized Lyme screening checklist to be used by practitioners, who must administer this checklist at intervals consistent with pediatric guidelines. Additionally, health care providers conducting well-child visits or visits for specific symptoms during the tick season (April 1 to October 31) are required to use this checklist to assess potential Lyme exposure and symptoms.

Furthermore, the State Board of Medical Examiners will mandate that physicians complete one credit of continuing medical education focused on Lyme disease as part of their biennial registration requirements. This education will cover preventive measures, health risks, best practices for screening and management, and communication strategies with parents. The training will be accessible in various formats, allowing flexibility for providers, and the credits earned will contribute to the total required for license renewal, which includes other essential medical topics. The act is set to take effect six months after its enactment, with provisions for the Department of Health to take necessary administrative actions for implementation.