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Bill

HB 578

Require tick-related disease reporting to Department of Health

136th Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Rodney Creech and 1 co-sponsor

Ohio law would require healthcare providers to report tick-borne diseases to the Department of Health for public health surveillance and outbreak response.

Referred to committee
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Bill Summary · HB 578

Legislative bill overview

HB 578 would mandate reporting of tick-related diseases to Ohio's Department of Health. This establishes a public health surveillance system for conditions transmitted by ticks, such as Lyme disease, Rocky Mountain spotted fever, and other tick-borne illnesses. The bill creates an official notification requirement for healthcare providers and laboratories when these diseases are diagnosed.

Why is this important

Tick-borne diseases have increased significantly across the United States, including Ohio. A mandatory reporting system enables state health officials to track disease trends, identify outbreak hotspots, allocate resources for prevention education, and implement timely public health responses. This data helps protect vulnerable populations and informs prevention campaigns.

Potential points of contention

  • Healthcare provider burden: Reporting requirements add administrative tasks to medical practices already managing documentation demands, potentially creating compliance costs
  • Privacy considerations: Disease reporting involves sharing patient health information with government agencies, raising concerns about data security and privacy protections
  • Scope ambiguity: The bill's language regarding which tick-related conditions trigger reporting, and whether it includes asymptomatic cases or suspected diagnoses, may need clarification to avoid inconsistent implementation

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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