2016 Connecticut General Statutes
Title 19a - Public Health and Well-Being
Chapter 368a - Department of Public Health
Section 19a-6n - Advisory council on pediatric autoimmune neuropsychiatric disorder associated with streptococcal infections and pediatric acute neuropsychiatric syndrome. Report.

(a) There is established an advisory council on pediatric autoimmune neuropsychiatric disorder associated with streptococcal infections and pediatric acute neuropsychiatric syndrome to advise the Commissioner of Public Health on research, diagnosis, treatment and education relating to said disorder and syndrome.

(b) The advisory council shall consist of the following members, who shall be appointed by the Commissioner of Public Health:

(1) An immunologist licensed and practicing in the state who has experience treating persons with pediatric autoimmune neuropsychiatric disorder associated with streptococcal infections and pediatric acute neuropsychiatric syndrome and the use of intravenous immunoglobulin;

(2) A health care provider licensed and practicing in the state who has expertise in treating persons with pediatric autoimmune neuropsychiatric disorder associated with streptococcal infections and pediatric acute neuropsychiatric syndrome and autism;

(3) A representative of the Connecticut branch of the P.A.N.D.A.S. Resource Network;

(4) An osteopathic physician licensed and practicing in the state who has experience treating persons with pediatric autoimmune neuropsychiatric disorder associated with streptococcal infections and pediatric acute neuropsychiatric syndrome;

(5) A health care provider licensed and practicing in the state who has expertise in treating persons with Lyme disease and other tick-borne illnesses;

(6) A medical researcher with experience conducting research concerning pediatric autoimmune neuropsychiatric disorder associated with streptococcal infections, pediatric acute neuropsychiatric syndrome, obsessive-compulsive disorder, tic disorder and other neurological disorders;

(7) A certified dietitian-nutritionist practicing in the state who provides services to children with autism spectrum disorder, attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder and other neuro-developmental conditions;

(8) A representative of a professional organization in the state for school psychologists;

(9) A child psychiatrist who has experience treating persons with pediatric autoimmune neuropsychiatric disorder associated with streptococcal infections and pediatric acute neuropsychiatric syndrome;

(10) A representative of a professional organization in the state for school nurses;

(11) A pediatrician who has experience treating persons with pediatric autoimmune neuropsychiatric disorder associated with streptococcal infections and pediatric acute neuropsychiatric syndrome;

(12) A representative of an organization focused on autism;

(13) A parent with a child who has been diagnosed with pediatric autoimmune neuropsychiatric disorder associated with streptococcal infections or pediatric acute neuropsychiatric syndrome and autism; and

(14) A social worker licensed and practicing in the state.

(c) A representative of the Department of Education Bureau of Special Education shall be a member and the chairpersons of the joint standing committees of the General Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to public health and insurance, or the chairpersons’ designees, shall be members of the advisory council.

(d) The Commissioner of Public Health, or the commissioner’s designee, shall be an ex-officio, nonvoting member of the advisory council and shall attend all meetings of the advisory council.

(e) Any member of the advisory council under subsection (c) of this section may be a member of the General Assembly.

(f) All appointments to the advisory council shall be made not later than thirty days after June 24, 2013.

(g) Members shall receive no compensation except for reimbursement for necessary expenses incurred in performing their duties.

(h) The Commissioner of Public Health shall schedule the first meeting of the advisory council, which shall be held not later than September 1, 2013. The members shall elect the chairperson of the advisory council from among the members of the council. A majority of the council members shall constitute a quorum. A majority vote of a quorum shall be required for any official action of the advisory council. The advisory council shall meet upon the call of the chairperson or upon the request of a majority of council members.

(i) Not later than January 1, 2014, and annually thereafter, the advisory council shall report, in accordance with the provisions of section 11-4a, to the joint standing committee of the General Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to public health. Such report shall include, but need not be limited to, recommendations concerning: (1) Practice guidelines for the diagnosis and treatment of said disorder and said syndrome; (2) mechanisms to increase clinical awareness and education regarding said disorder and said syndrome among physicians, including pediatricians, school-based health centers and providers of mental health services; (3) outreach to educators and parents to increase awareness of said disorder and said syndrome; and (4) development of a network of volunteer experts on the diagnosis and treatment of said disorder and said syndrome to assist in education and outreach.

(P.A. 13-187, S. 2; 13-208, S. 71; P.A. 14-231, S. 59; P.A. 15-242, S. 25.)

History: P.A. 13-187 effective June 24, 2013; P.A. 13-208 amended Subsec. (d) by substituting “advisory council” for “task force” and amended Subsec. (e) by substituting “advisory council” for “task force appointed”, effective June 21, 2013; P.A. 14-231 amended Subsec. (c) by replacing “task force” with “advisory council” and making a technical change; P.A. 15-242 amended Subsec. (c) by adding reference to insurance committee and making a technical change.