The bill amends section 3701.23 of the Revised Code to mandate the reporting of tick-related diseases and conditions to the Department of Health. Specifically, it adds a new category of reportable diseases that includes various tick-related illnesses such as Alpha-gal syndrome, Anaplasmosis, Babesiosis, Ehrlichiosis, Lyme disease, Powassan virus disease, Rocky Mountain spotted fever, Tularemia, and Southern tick-associated rash illness. This requirement applies to health care providers, boards of health, health authorities, coroners, and medical examiners, who must promptly report these conditions.

Additionally, the bill specifies that the reports must be submitted using prescribed forms and in a manner determined by the director of health. It also ensures that any protected health information reported will be handled in accordance with existing privacy laws, allowing only non-identifiable information to be released in summary or aggregate form. The existing section 3701.23 is repealed to accommodate these changes.

Statutes affected:
As Introduced: 3701.23