This bill lets the Secretary of Health and Human Services, through the CDC Director, award grants to States to run a tick identification pilot program. States with more reported Lyme disease and other tick-borne diseases and with effective plans get priority. Funded programs must let people send electronic photos of ticks along with the likely location, date, and where the tick was found (for example, on a pet or a person). A qualified professional (a biologist with a background in vector biology) must review each image and reply to the person within 72 hours, when possible, with the tick species and life stage, an estimate of the tick's disease risk, recommendations on seeking medical evaluation and testing the tick, and education on preventing tick exposure. Programs must keep a database of reported tick incidents (date, place, environment, tick identification, and advice given). The Secretary must collect specified data from each funded State program and send a report to Congress for each of fiscal years 2026 through 2029.
If your State receives a grant and sets up the program, you could submit a photo of a tick you find and get a response within 72 hours from a qualified professional. The response may include the tick's likely species and life stage, a risk estimate, steps you can take (including whether to seek medical care), and tips to avoid ticks. The program also records the report details in a database used for official reports to Congress.
No publicly available information on funding amounts, appropriations, or specific costs in the bill text.
No publicly available information.
No publicly available information.