BILL NUMBER: S4816
SPONSOR: RYAN C
 
TITLE OF BILL:
An act to amend the workers' compensation law, in relation to including
Lyme disease and other tick-borne diseases as occupational diseases for
purposes of workers' compensation; and to amend the insurance law, in
relation to coverage of long term medical care for Lyme disease and
other tick-borne diseases
 
PURPOSE:
This bill would add Lyme Disease and other tick-borne diseases to the
list of occupational diseases for disabilities sustained or death
incurred by an employee under the Workers' Compensation Law. Addi-
tionally, this bill would require health insurers to provide coverage
for long term medical care for Lyme Disease and other tick-borne
diseases.
 
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:
Section 1 of this bill would amend the Workers' Compensation Law, by
renumbering paragraph 31 and adding a new paragraph 30 to include Lyme
Disease and other tick-borne diseases as covered under workers' compen-
sation.
Section 2 of this bill would make technical amendments.
Section 3 of this bill would amend the Workers' Compensation Law by
requiring that a "disability" includes disability caused by or in
connection with Lyme disease and other tick-borne diseases.
Sections 4, 5, and 6 of this bill would amend the Insurance Law by
requiring health insurers to provide coverage for all costs for treat-
ment of Lyme Disease and other tick-borne diseases.
Section 7 of this bill provides that the effective date shall take
effect on the one hundred twentieth day after it shall have become a
law.
 
JUSTIFICATION:
This bill would ensure Workers' Compensation Law coverage for a disabil-
ity caused by or in connection with Lyme disease and other tick-borne
diseases while performing work involving outdoor activity or the treat-
ment of animals. Additionally, this bill would require health insurers
to provide coverage for long term medical care of Lyme Disease and other
tick-borne diseases.
Lyme disease is a lifelong illness that is exacerbated unless treated
immediately. Unfortunately, Lyme disease, its co-infections, and other
tick-borne diseases are generally hard to diagnose because their symp-
toms often mimic those of dozens of other common illnesses, presenting
symptoms that are sometimes misdiagnosed as mental illness, depression,
nutritional deficiencies or Alzheimer's disease. Furthermore, chronic
Lyme disease is still not fully recognized by many infectious disease
doctors leading to further misdiagnoses.
One tick may carry more than one disease, resulting in people receiving
a "co-infection," two illnesses, from a single tick bite. Climate
change, specifically, higher temperatures, is causing the State to expe-
rience longer and more severe tick seasons, with the majority of tick-
to-human bites occurring in the warmer months when ticks are most active
and when more people are outdoors for recreation or work.
 
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
2023-24: S.3117A (Mannion) - Passed Senate.
2022-23: S.8867 (Mannion)- Referred to Labor.
 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:
To be determined.
 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect on the one hundred twentieth day after it
shall have become a law. Effective immediately, the addition, amendment
and/or repeal of any rules or regulations necessary for the implementa-
tion of this act on its effective date are authorized to be made on or
before such effective date.

Statutes affected:
S4816: 3216 insurance law, 3216(i) insurance law, 3221 insurance law, 3221(k) insurance law, 4303 insurance law