Delaware General Assembly


CHAPTER 651

SENATE BILL NO. 756

AN ACT MAKING A SUPPLEMENTARY APPROPRIATION TO THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND SOCIAL SERVICES FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A FIRST-PHASE VIRUS DIAGNOSTIC LABORATORY.

WHEREAS, in the absence of a virus diagnostic facility in Delaware such services are performed for this state by the New Jersey Department of Health at an annual contract rate of $15,000; and

WHEREAS, physicians need the services of a convenient virus laboratory, specially at a time when an epidemic of swine influenza is predicted; and

WHEREAS, Delaware physicians and patients alike would be faced with critical diagnostic frustrations should an epidemic of swine influenza occur in this state; and

WHEREAS, there is good reason to believe that the New Jersey Department of Health, which has raised the annual rate from $6,000 in 1965 to the present $15,000, will continue to insist upon recurring increases.

NOW, THEREFORE:

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of Dela ware:

Section 1. The sum of $54,893 is appropriated to the Department of Health and Social Services to be used by the Division of Public Health for the establishment of a first-phase virus diagnostic laboratory.

Section 2. This Act is a supplementary appropriation and the money appropriated shall be paid by the State Treasurer out of funds in the General Fund of the State of Delaware not otherwise appropriated.

Section 3. Any funds appropriated and unexpended on June 30, 1977, shall revert to the General Fund.

Approved July 29, 1976