HB 490 (2020): establishing a commission to study the role of clinical diagnosis and the limitations of serological diagnostic tests in determining the presence or absence of Lyme and other tick-borne diseases and available treatment protocols, and appropriate methods for educating physicians and the public about the inconclusive nature of prevailing test methods and available treatment alternatives.

HB 490 (2020)

establishing a commission to study the role of clinical diagnosis and the limitations of serological diagnostic tests in determining the presence or absence of Lyme and other tick-borne diseases and available treatment protocols, and appropriate methods for educating physicians and the public about the inconclusive nature of prevailing test methods and available treatment alternatives.

• Status: Signed into law
• Term: 2019-2020
• House committee: Health, Human Services and Elderly Affairs
• Senate committee: Health and Human Services
• Subject: Study Committees and Commissions
• Chapter law: 9

The Story

It was introduced on January 3, 2019 and referred to the House Health, Human Services and Elderly Affairs committee. The committee held a public hearing on January 23, 2019. The committee held a work session on February 7, 2019. The committee met in executive session on February 7, 2019 to vote on its recommendation. The committee voted unanimously, 21–0, to recommend that the House pass it with changes (amendment 2019-0062h), and the report was placed on the consent calendar. The committee's amendment (2019-0062h) was adopted on a voice vote on February 27, 2019, changing the text of the bill. On February 27, 2019 the House voted to pass it with changes on a voice vote. It crossed to the Senate on March 14, 2019 and was referred to the Senate Health and Human Services committee. The committee held a public hearing on April 2, 2019. The committee voted unanimously, 5–0, to recommend that the Senate send it back to committee, and the report was placed on the consent calendar. On April 18, 2019 the Senate voted to send it back to committee on a voice vote. The committee voted unanimously, 5–0, to recommend that the Senate study it after the session ends, and the report was placed on the consent calendar. On January 8, 2020 the Senate adopted “refer HB 490 back to Health and Human Services” on a voice vote, on a motion by Sen. Sherman. The committee held a public hearing on February 11, 2020. The committee recommended that the Senate pass it with changes (amendment 2020-0611s). The committee's amendment (2020-0611s) was adopted on a voice vote on February 13, 2020, changing the text of the bill. On February 13, 2020 the Senate voted to pass it with changes on a voice vote and ordered it to a third reading. On June 11, 2020 the House adopted “House Concurs with Senate Amendment” on a division vote 274–56, on a motion by Rep. Lucy Weber. An enrolled bill amendment (2020-1542e) was adopted on a voice vote on June 11, 2020. These correct technical errors found after passage. The bill was enrolled on June 29, 2020 — the final check of the text before it goes to the governor — and an enrolled bill amendment (2020-1542e) was adopted on a voice vote to correct technical errors found after passage. The bill was enrolled on June 30, 2020 — the final check of the text before it goes to the governor. The governor signed it on July 14, 2020, making it Chapter 9 of the session laws.

Sponsors

• Rep. Howard Moffett (D - Merr 9) (prime sponsor)
• Rep. Charles McMahon (R - Rock 7)
• Rep. George Saunderson (D - Merr 9)
• Rep. David Karrick (D - Merr 25)

Hearings and Sessions

• January 23, 2019, 1:00 PM: public hearing, House Health, Human Services and Elderly Affairs, LOB 205
• February 7, 2019, 10:00 AM: subcommittee work session, House Health, Human Services and Elderly Affairs, LOB 205
• February 7, 2019, 1:00 PM: executive session, House Health, Human Services and Elderly Affairs, LOB 205
• April 2, 2019, 2:00 PM: hearing, Senate Health and Human Services, LOB 101
• February 11, 2020, 1:00 PM: hearing, Senate Health and Human Services, SH 103

Votes

• February 27, 2019, House: Ought to Pass with Amendment 2019-0062h (NT) — voice vote, passed
• April 18, 2019, Senate: Rereferred to Committee — voice vote, passed
• January 8, 2020, Senate: refer HB 490 back to Health and Human Services — voice vote, passed
• February 13, 2020, Senate: Ought to Pass with Amendment 2020-0611s — voice vote, passed
• June 11, 2020, House: House Concurs with Senate Amendment — yeas 274, nays 56, passed

The Docket

Laws It Would Change

• RSA 141-C

From the General Court

• Bill text
• Bill status page
• Docket
• HC 13, page 11
• SC 16
• SC 18
• SC 6
• SC 6A