H.R. 4979: Tick Identification Pilot Program Act of 2025

This bill, known as the Tick Identification Pilot Program Act of 2025, aims to establish a program that helps communities identify ticks and track their related risks. Here’s a breakdown of what the bill entails:

Establishment of the Program

The Secretary of Health and Human Services, through the Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), is authorized to grant funds to various states to launch tick identification programs.

Grant Priorities

In allocating these funds, priority will be given to states that:

• Have a higher number of reported cases of Lyme disease and other diseases caused by ticks.
• Present a solid plan for creating and sustaining the tick identification program.

Program Requirements

Any program that receives funding must include the following:

• Allow individuals to submit photos of ticks they have encountered electronically.
• Require details such as the geographic location, date of encounter, and where the tick was found (for example, on a person or an animal).
• Provide responses to submissions within 72 hours, which should include:
  • Identification of the tick species and life stage if possible.
  • An assessment of the potential risk of tick-borne diseases associated with the tick.
  • Recommendations for action, including whether to seek medical advice or to have the tick tested.
  • Information on how to avoid future tick encounters and prevent tick-borne illnesses.
• Maintain a database that records incidents of tick encounters, which includes:
  • The date, location, and environmental context of each encounter.
  • Any identifying details about the tick.
  • The best practices communicated to individuals reporting ticks.

Application Process

States wishing to receive grants must submit applications according to guidelines set by the Secretary of Health and Human Services.

Data Collection and Reporting

The Secretary will also be responsible for collecting data related to each funded program each fiscal year, including:

• The total number of tick incidents reported.
• Detailed information for each incident such as the date, location, and any identified tick information.

The Secretary is required to submit an annual report to Congress summarizing the collected data, starting from fiscal year 2026 through fiscal year 2029.

Definitions

The bill defines key terms to clarify its implementation, including:

• Qualified Professional: A biologist specializing in vector biology.
• Secretary: The Secretary of Health and Human Services, through the CDC Director.

Relevant Companies

None found