§16-1-8a. Inclusion of PANS and PANDAS in existing public health programs.

(a) The Commissioner of the Bureau for Public Health, in consultation with the State Health Officer, shall, in its existing public health programs and services, to educate health care professionals on evaluating and treating Pediatric Acute-Onset Neuropsychiatric Syndrome (PANS) and Pediatric Autoimmune Neuropsychiatric Disorders Associated with Streptococcal Infections (PANDAS).

(b) The Bureau for Public Health shall, in its existing, relevant public health outreach programs, incorporate information to increase understanding and awareness of PANS and PANDAS, including signs to be aware of, such as:

(1) Presence of obsessive compulsive disorder and/or tics;

(2) Symptoms begin between age three and puberty;

(3) Acute-onset and episodic (relapsing-remitting) course;

(4) Association with Group A Streptococcal (GAS) infection; and

(5) Association with Neurological Abnormalities disease.