ASSEMBLY, No. 780

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

Introduced Pending Technical Review by Legislative Counsel

PRE-FILED FOR INTRODUCTION IN THE 1996 SESSION

By Assemblywoman FARRAGHER

A Supplement to "An Act making appropriations for the support of the State Government and the several public purposes for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1989 and regulating the disbursement thereof," approved June 30, 1988 (P.L.1988, c.47).

    Be It Enacted by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:

    1. In addition to the amounts appropriated under P.L.1988, c.47, there is appropriated out of the General Fund the following sum for the purpose specified:

DIRECT STATE SERVICES

46 DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH

20 Physical and Mental Health

21 Health Services

02-4220 Community

    Health Services ......................................... $310,000

Special Purpose:

    Lyme Disease program ................. ($310,000)

    2. This act shall take effect immediately.

STATEMENT

    This bill provides a supplemental appropriation of $310,000 to the Department of Health to establish programs for education, prevention and treatment of Lyme disease.

    Lyme disease, which is spread by deer ticks, is one of the fastest growing public health problems. Although the disease is the most common tick-borne illness in the United States and New Jersey is one of the states in which the disease is most prevalent, it is still relatively unknown among both the medical community and the general public and consequently is often misdiagnosed or not diagnosed, which results in more serious health problems for the affected person. Lyme disease, if untreated, can result in neurological disorders and severe arthritis in its advanced stages.

Supplemental appropriation of $310,000 to DOH to establish a Lyme Disease program.