HF 4024

as introduced - 89th Legislature (2015 - 2016) Posted on 05/22/2016 12:12pm

A bill for an act
relating to health; appropriating money to the commissioner of health for
vector-borne disease preparedness and response activities.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

Section 1. new text begin APPROPRIATION FOR VECTOR-BORNE DISEASE
PREPAREDNESS AND RESPONSE ACTIVITIES.
new text end

new text begin $....... in fiscal year 2017 is appropriated from the general fund to the commissioner
of health for statewide planning, coordination, preparation, and response activities related
to vector-borne diseases, including Zika. For purposes of this section, a vector-borne
disease is a disease caused by a pathogen or parasite that is transmitted by a living
organism between human beings or from animals to human beings. The commissioner
shall use these funds for activities such as:
new text end

new text begin (1) maintaining state and local public health readiness to address public health
threats caused by vector-borne diseases by funding county and municipal emergency
preparedness initiatives and providing an increase to local public health grants allocated to
community health boards;
new text end

new text begin (2) having the state public health laboratory conduct diagnostic tests for patients who
meet criteria for testing for a vector-borne disease and enhanced laboratory surveillance
for vector-borne diseases;
new text end

new text begin (3) surveillance activities for vector-borne diseases, including screening patients,
providing expert assistance to health care providers on vector-borne disease research, and
assisting health care providers with interpreting test results;
new text end

new text begin (4) creating culturally appropriate public education materials about vector-borne
diseases and operating culturally appropriate public education campaigns about
vector-borne disease risks and prevention for the public and populations at higher risk for
infection with a vector-borne disease; and
new text end

new text begin (5) conducting surveillance and monitoring activities for mosquitoes and other
vectors that could spread vector-borne diseases in Minnesota.
new text end