The regulation and licensure of genetic counselors, creating a genetic counselors affiliated credentialing board, providing an exemption from emergency rule procedures, granting rule-making authority, and providing a penalty. (FE)

Under the bill, the board may grant an initial license to a person who has successfully completed academic requirements for genetic counseling specified in the bill, has passed an examination specified in the bill, is certified by the American Board of Genetic Counseling, does not have an arrest or conviction record, and pays a fee. The bill also allows the board, for three months after the requirement in the bill to obtain a license goes into effect, to grant an initial license to practice genetic counseling to certain individuals who cannot satisfy all of the requirements described above but who satisfy certain experience and other requirements.

Biennial renewal of a license requires completion of at least 30 hours of continuing education and maintenance of certification or recertification through the American Board of Genetic Counseling. The bill also includes provisions for the unlicensed temporary practice of genetic counseling and temporary licenses to practice genetic counseling.

The bill requires the board to promulgate rules to adopt the National Society of Genetic Counselors code of ethics to govern the professional conduct of genetic counselors, establish licensure renewal requirements, and establish criteria for the approval of continuing education programs and courses.

The bill includes provisions for the professional discipline of licensees, which allow the board to take certain actions against a licensee who violates certain prohibitions in the bill.

Finally, the bill also applies certain other laws, such as the law providing for confidentiality of health care records and the health care workers whistleblowers protection law, to licensed genetic counselors.

Because this bill creates a new crime or revises a penalty for an existing crime, the Joint Review Committee on Criminal Penalties may be requested to prepare a report.