N.Y. could make Lyme disease an occupational illness

New York lawmakers are considering a proposal that would make Lyme disease an occupational illness under state workers compensation law.

Senate Bill 8867, introduced on Tuesday, would amend the workers compensation law to include Lyme disease and other tick-borne diseases compensable, applying disability provisions that would apply to “disability caused by or in connection with” such ailments.

Compensability to apply to workers involved in “(a)ny process involving tick-borne diseases, outdoor activity or treatment of animals.”

The bill was referred to the labor committee.