BANGOR, Maine (AP) — A U.S. Senate committee is advancing a proposal from Sen. Susan Collins to improve research about Lyme disease and other tick-borne infections.

Collins, a Republican, introduced the proposal with Democratic Minnesota Sen. Tina Smith. It's also designed to beef up prevention, diagnostics and treatment for tick-borne diseases, and it's headed to the full Senate next.

The proposal's named the Kay Hagan Tick Act in honor of former Sen. Kay Hagan of North Carolina who died in October of complications from Powassan virus, a tick-borne infection.

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