The Lyme Disease Information Disclosure Act, sponsored by Del. Barbara Comstock (R-34th) passed another hurdle Feb. 19 as it passed the House of Delegates 56-40. The bill will now go to Gov. Bob McDonnell for signature.

The new law would require doctors to disclose the possibility of a false negative when being tested for Lyme Disease. False negatives have been a recurring problem with Lyme Disease, an illness where early detection and treatment is critical.

Disclosure of the possibility of false negatives for Lyme Disease is intended to encourage retesting for those with Lyme symptoms. More information on Lyme Disease is available through the National Capital Lyme and Tick-Borne Disease Association at their website here.

"The passage of House Bill 1933 is a great step in raising awareness about this terrible disease and the high incidence of patients receiving false negative tests for Lyme. I have heard from many of my constituents about how they or someone in their life suffers from Lyme Disease," said Comstock in a prepared statement.