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S.B. 59 Enrolled

                 

LICENSING OF GENETIC COUNSELORS

                 
2001 GENERAL SESSION

                 
STATE OF UTAH

                 
Sponsor: Paula F. Julander

                  This act modifies the Occupations and Professions Code by enacting the Genetic Counselors
                  Licensing Act. The act defines the practice of genetic counseling and requires a license to
                  practice genetic counseling within the state. The act creates the Genetic Counselors
                  Licensing Board. The act sets forth the requirements for licensure. The act provides for
                  exemptions from licensure. The act defines unlawful and unprofessional conduct and
                  provides for discipline against licensees.
                  This act affects sections of Utah Code Annotated 1953 as follows:
                  ENACTS:
                      58-75-101, Utah Code Annotated 1953
                      58-75-102, Utah Code Annotated 1953
                      58-75-201, Utah Code Annotated 1953
                      58-75-301, Utah Code Annotated 1953
                      58-75-302, Utah Code Annotated 1953
                      58-75-303, Utah Code Annotated 1953
                      58-75-304, Utah Code Annotated 1953
                      58-75-401, Utah Code Annotated 1953
                      58-75-501, Utah Code Annotated 1953
                      58-75-502, Utah Code Annotated 1953
                  Be it enacted by the Legislature of the state of Utah:
                      Section 1. Section 58-75-101 is enacted to read:
                 
CHAPTER 75. GENETIC COUNSELORS LICENSING ACT

                 
Part 1. General Provisions

                      58-75-101. Title.
                      This chapter is known as the "Genetic Counselors Licensing Act."
                      Section 2. Section 58-75-102 is enacted to read:


                      58-75-102. Definitions.
                      In addition to the definitions in Section 58-1-102 , as used in this chapter:
                      (1) "Board" means the Genetic Counselors Licensing Board created in Section 58-75-201 .
                      (2) "Genetic counselor" means a person licensed under this chapter to engage in the practice
                  of genetic counseling.
                      (3) "Practice of genetic counseling" means the communication process which deals with the
                  human problems associated with the occurrence, or the risk of occurrence, of a genetic disorder in
                  a family, including the provision of services to help an individual or family:
                      (a) comprehend the medical facts, including the diagnosis, probable cause of the disorder,
                  and the available management;
                      (b) appreciate the way heredity contributes to the disorder and the risk of occurrence in
                  specified relatives;
                      (c) understand the alternatives for dealing with the risk of occurrence;
                      (d) choose the course of action which seems appropriate to them in view of their risk, their
                  family goals, and their ethical and religious standards, and to act in accordance with that decision;
                  and
                      (e) make the best possible psychosocial adjustment to the disorder in an affected family
                  member or to the risk of occurrence of that disorder.
                      (4) "Unlawful conduct" is as defined in Sections 58-1-501 and 58-75-501 .
                      (5) "Unprofessional conduct" is as defined in Sections 58-1-501 and 58-75-502 and as may
                  be further defined by rule by the division in accordance with Title 63, Chapter 46a, Utah
                  Administrative Rulemaking Act.
                      Section 3. Section 58-75-201 is enacted to read:
                 
Part 2. General Provisions

                      58-75-201. Board.
                      (1) There is created the Genetic Counselors Licensing Board consisting of four persons
                  licensed in accordance with this chapter and one member of the general public.
                      (2) The board shall be appointed and serve in accordance with Section 58-1-201 .

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                      (3) The duties and responsibilities of the board shall be in accordance with Sections
                  58-1-202 and 58-1-203 . In addition, the board may designate one of its members on a permanent
                  or rotating basis to:
                      (a) assist the division in reviewing complaints concerning the unlawful or unprofessional
                  conduct of a licensee; and
                      (b) advise the division in its investigation of these complaints.
                      (4) A board member who has, under Subsection (3), reviewed a complaint or advised in its
                  investigation may be disqualified from participating with the board when the board serves as a
                  presiding officer of an administrative proceeding concerning the complaint.
                      Section 4. Section 58-75-301 is enacted to read:
                 
Part 3. Licensing

                      58-75-301. Licensure required -- Issuance of licenses -- Effect on insurers.
                      (1) Beginning January 1, 2002, and except as provided in Sections 58-1-307 and 58-75-304 ,
                  a license is required to engage in the practice of genetic counseling.
                      (2) The division shall issue to any person who qualifies under this chapter a license to
                  practice genetic counseling.
                      (3) Nothing in this chapter shall be construed to require payment from insurers for genetic
                  counseling services.
                      Section 5. Section 58-75-302 is enacted to read:
                      58-75-302. Qualifications for licensure -- Temporary license.
                      (1) Except as provided in Subsection (2), each applicant for licensure as a genetic counselor
                  under this chapter shall:
                      (a) submit an application in a form prescribed by the division;
                      (b) pay a fee determined by the department under Section 63-38-3.2 ;
                      (c) be of good moral character;
                      (d) provide satisfactory documentation of having earned:
                      (i) a Master's degree from a genetic counseling training program that is accredited by the
                  American Board of Genetic Counseling; or

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                      (ii) a Doctoral degree from a medical genetics training program that is accredited by the
                  American Board of Medical Genetics; and
                      (e) meet the examination requirement for certification as:
                      (i) a genetic counselor by the American Board of Genetic Counseling or the American Board
                  of Medical Genetics; or
                      (ii) a medical geneticist by the American Board of Medical Genetics.
                      (2) The division may issue a temporary license, in accordance with Section 58-1-303 and
                  any other conditions established by rule, to an applicant who meets all of the requirements for
                  licensure except the examination requirement of Subsection (1)(e).
                      Section 6. Section 58-75-303 is enacted to read:
                      58-75-303. Term of license -- Expiration -- Renewal.
                      (1) The division shall issue each license under this chapter in accordance with a two-year
                  renewal cycle established by rule. The division may by rule extend or shorten a renewal cycle by as
                  much as one year to stagger the renewal cycles it administers.
                      (2) Each licensee shall, at the time of applying for renewal, demonstrate compliance with
                  continuing education requirements established by rule by the division in collaboration with the
                  board.
                      (3) Each license automatically expires on the expiration date shown on the license unless
                  the licensee renews it in accordance with Section 58-1-308 .
                      Section 7. Section 58-75-304 is enacted to read:
                      58-75-304. Exemptions from licensure.
                      In addition to the exemptions from licensure set forth in Section 58-1-307 , the following
                  persons may engage in the practice of genetic counseling subject to the stated circumstances and
                  limitations without being licensed under this chapter:
                      (1) an individual licensed as a physician and surgeon or osteopathic physician and surgeon
                  under Chapter 67, Utah Medical Practice Act, and Chapter 68, Utah Osteopathic Medical Practice
                  Act; and
                      (2) a commissioned physician or surgeon serving in the armed forces of the United States

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                  or other federal agency.
                      Section 8. Section 58-75-401 is enacted to read:
                 
Part 4. License Denial and Discipline

                      58-75-401. Grounds for denial of license -- Disciplinary proceedings.
                      Grounds for refusing to issue a license to an applicant, for refusing to renew the license of
                  a licensee, for revoking, suspending, restricting, or placing on probation the license of a licensee, for
                  issuing a public or private reprimand to a licensee, and for issuing a cease and desist order shall be
                  in accordance with Section 58-1-401 .
                      Section 9. Section 58-75-501 is enacted to read:
                 
Part 5. Unlawful and Unprofessional Conduct

                      58-75-501. Unlawful conduct.
                      "Unlawful conduct" includes, in addition to the definition in Section 58-1-501 , using the title
                  "genetic counselor" or any other title or designation tending to indicate that the person is a genetic
                  counselor unless that person has a current license as a genetic counselor issued under this chapter.
                      Section 10. Section 58-75-502 is enacted to read:
                      58-75-502. Unprofessional conduct.
                      "Unprofessional conduct" includes, in addition to the definition in Section 58-1-501 and as
                  may be further defined by rule:
                      (1) engaging in any act or practice in a professional capacity which the licensee is not
                  competent to perform through training or experience;
                      (2) failing to refer a client to other competent professionals when the licensee is unable or
                  unwilling to adequately support or serve the client;
                      (3) failing to maintain the confidentiality of any information received from a client, unless
                  released by the client or otherwise authorized or required by law; and
                      (4) exploiting a client for personal advantage, profit, or interest.

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