Tick Identification Pilot Program Act of 2025
- Sponsor
- Rep. Gottheimer, Josh [D-NJ-5]
- Committees
- Energy and Commerce Committee (primary)
- Last action
- Aug 15, 2025
Bottom line
The bill establishes a federal grant program to help states create digital tick identification services and collect data on tick encounters to combat tick-borne diseases.
What it actually does
This bill directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services, through the Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), to establish a grant program for states. These grants would fund state-level tick identification pilot programs, allowing individuals to submit photos of ticks for identification, risk assessment, and best practice recommendations. The bill prioritizes states with higher rates of Lyme disease and other tick-borne illnesses and requires the CDC to collect data and report to Congress on the program's effectiveness.
Proponents argue
Supporters argue that this program will empower individuals to quickly identify potential threats from tick bites, leading to earlier intervention and better health outcomes. They contend that by collecting comprehensive data on tick encounters, the CDC can gain valuable insights into disease prevalence and geographic spread, enabling more targeted public health interventions and prevention strategies. Furthermore, providing educational resources directly to individuals will increase public awareness and promote best practices for tick bite prevention.
Opponents contend
Critics might argue that while the intent is good, the effectiveness of photo-based tick identification for accurate species and disease risk assessment may be limited, potentially leading to false positives or negatives. Concerns could also be raised about the administrative burden on states to implement and maintain these programs, as well as the federal cost without a clear appropriation. Some might also question the privacy implications of collecting geographic and personal encounter data, even if aggregated.
The bill is very short and straightforward, making it highly accessible for a quick read and understanding of its core provisions.
Section 2(a)
Establishment of Tick Identification Grant Program
This section authorizes the Secretary of Health and Human Services, acting through the CDC Director, to award grants to states. The purpose of these grants is to enable states to establish and implement tick identification programs, providing federal support for local efforts to address tick-borne diseases.
Supporters argue
Supporters argue that providing federal grants is crucial to incentivize and enable states to develop robust tick identification and prevention programs, especially given the rising incidence of tick-borne diseases.
Critics contend
No specific opposition is typically raised against the establishment of a grant program in principle, though concerns about funding levels or administrative efficiency might arise.
Tradeoffs
The primary tension is balancing the need for federal support for public health initiatives with potential concerns about federal spending and administrative overhead.
Section 2(b)
Grant Priority for High-Incidence States
This provision directs the Secretary to prioritize states for grant awards if they have a higher number of reported cases of Lyme disease and other tick-borne diseases. Additionally, states must submit an effective plan for implementing and maintaining their tick identification program to receive priority consideration.
Section 2(c)
State Program Requirements
This section outlines the mandatory features for any state tick identification program funded by these grants. Programs must allow electronic photo submission of ticks, collect associated geographic and encounter data, and provide a response within 72 hours including tick identification, disease risk estimation, medical recommendations, and prevention education. Furthermore, each program must maintain a database of reported incidents.
Section 2(e)
Data Collection and Reporting to Congress
This section mandates that the Secretary of HHS (through the CDC) collect specific data from each state program funded under the act. This data includes the number of reported tick incidents and detailed information for each incident, such as date, geographic location, environment, tick identification, and the best practices disseminated. The Secretary is then required to submit annual reports to Congress, from fiscal years 2026 through 2029, summarizing this collected data.