PANDAS/PANS Advisory Council

In January 2021, the Commonwealth of Massachusetts enacted legislation in Section 26 of Chapter 260 of the Acts of 2020, or the “Health Care Omnibus” bill which established the PANDAS/PANS Advisory Council as a permanent entity and is comprised of 15 members.

The PANDAS/PANS Advisory Council will make recommendations to the DPH Commissioner on research, diagnosis, treatment and education relating to pediatric autoimmune neuropsychiatric disorder associated with streptococcal infections and pediatric acute neuropsychiatric syndrome (PANDAS/ PANS). PANDAS/PANS is an autoimmune disorder that can have a life-changing physical, emotional and financial impact on families of children who contract this difficult-to-diagnose, infectious disease.

The Advisory Council will issue a report to the general court annually with recommendations concerning:

• Practice guidelines for the diagnosis and treatment of the disorder and syndrome;
• Development of screening protocols;
• Mechanisms to increase clinical awareness and education regarding the disorder and syndrome among physicians, including pediatricians, school-based health centers and providers of mental health services;
• Outreach to educators and parents to increase awareness of the disorder and syndrome; a
• Development of a network of volunteer experts on the diagnosis and treatment of the disorder and syndrome.