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S.B. 59

             1     

LICENSING OF GENETIC COUNSELORS

             2     
2001 GENERAL SESSION

             3     
STATE OF UTAH

             4     
Sponsor: Paula F. Julander

             5      This act modifies the Occupations and Professions Code by enacting the Genetic Counselors
             6      Licensing Act. The act defines the practice of genetic counseling and requires a license to
             7      practice genetic counseling within the state. The act creates the Genetic Counselors
             8      Licensing Board. The act sets forth the requirements for licensure. The act provides for
             9      exemptions from licensure. The act defines unlawful and unprofessional conduct and
             10      provides for discipline against licensees.
             11      This act affects sections of Utah Code Annotated 1953 as follows:
             12      ENACTS:
             13          58-75-101, Utah Code Annotated 1953
             14          58-75-102, Utah Code Annotated 1953
             15          58-75-201, Utah Code Annotated 1953
             16          58-75-301, Utah Code Annotated 1953
             17          58-75-302, Utah Code Annotated 1953
             18          58-75-303, Utah Code Annotated 1953
             19          58-75-304, Utah Code Annotated 1953
             20          58-75-401, Utah Code Annotated 1953
             21          58-75-501, Utah Code Annotated 1953
             22          58-75-502, Utah Code Annotated 1953
             23      Be it enacted by the Legislature of the state of Utah:
             24          Section 1. Section 58-75-101 is enacted to read:
             25     
CHAPTER 75. GENETIC COUNSELORS LICENSING ACT

             26     
Part 1. General Provisions

             27          58-75-101. Title.


             28          This chapter is known as the "Genetic Counselors Licensing Act."
             29          Section 2. Section 58-75-102 is enacted to read:
             30          58-75-102. Definitions.
             31          In addition to the definitions in Section 58-1-102 , as used in this chapter:
             32          (1) "Board" means the Genetic Counselors Licensing Board created in Section 58-75-201 .
             33          (2) "Genetic counselor" means a person licensed under this chapter to engage in the
             34      practice of genetic counseling.
             35          (3) "Practice of genetic counseling" means the communication process which deals with
             36      the human problems associated with the occurrence, or the risk of occurrence, of a genetic disorder
             37      in a family, including the provision of services to help an individual or family:
             38          (a) comprehend the medical facts, including the diagnosis, probable cause of the disorder,
             39      and the available management;
             40          (b) appreciate the way heredity contributes to the disorder and the risk of occurrence in
             41      specified relatives;
             42          (c) understand the alternatives for dealing with the risk of occurrence;
             43          (d) choose the course of action which seems appropriate to them in view of their risk, their
             44      family goals, and their ethical and religious standards, and to act in accordance with that decision;
             45      and
             46          (e) make the best possible psychosocial adjustment to the disorder in an affected family
             47      member or to the risk of occurrence of that disorder.
             48          (4) "Unlawful conduct" is as defined in Sections 58-1-501 and 58-75-501 .
             49          (5) "Unprofessional conduct" is as defined in Sections 58-1-501 and 58-75-502 and as may
             50      be further defined by rule by the division in accordance with Title 63, Chapter 46a, Utah
             51      Administrative Rulemaking Act.
             52          Section 3. Section 58-75-201 is enacted to read:
             53     
Part 2. General Provisions

             54          58-75-201. Board.
             55          (1) There is created the Genetic Counselors Licensing Board consisting of four persons
             56      licensed in accordance with this chapter and engaged in the practice of genetic counseling within
             57      this state and one member of the general public.
             58          (2) The board shall be appointed and serve in accordance with Section 58-1-201 .


             59          (3) The duties and responsibilities of the board shall be in accordance with Sections
             60      58-1-202 and 58-1-203 . In addition, the board shall designate one of its members on a permanent
             61      or rotating basis to:
             62          (a) assist the division in reviewing complaints concerning the unlawful or unprofessional
             63      conduct of a licensee; and
             64          (b) advise the division in its investigation of these complaints.
             65          (4) A board member who has, under Subsection (3), reviewed a complaint or advised in
             66      its investigation may be disqualified from participating with the board when the board serves as
             67      a presiding officer of an administrative proceeding concerning the complaint.
             68          Section 4. Section 58-75-301 is enacted to read:
             69     
Part 3. Licensing

             70          58-75-301. Licensure required.
             71          (1) Beginning January 1, 2002, and except as provided in Sections 58-1-307 and
             72      58-75-304 , a license is required to engage in the practice of genetic counseling.
             73          (2) The division shall issue to any person who qualifies under this chapter a license to
             74      practice genetic counseling.
             75          Section 5. Section 58-75-302 is enacted to read:
             76          58-75-302. Qualifications for licensure -- Temporary license.
             77          (1) Except as provided in Subsection (2), each applicant for licensure as a genetic
             78      counselor under this chapter shall:
             79          (a) submit an application in a form prescribed by the division;
             80          (b) pay a fee determined by the department under Section 63-38-3.2 ;
             81          (c) be of good moral character;
             82          (d) provide satisfactory documentation of having earned a Master's degree from a genetic
             83      counseling training program that is accredited by the American Board of Genetic Counseling; and
             84          (e) meet the examination requirement for certification as a genetic counselor by the
             85      American Board of Genetic Counseling or the American Board of Medical Genetics.
             86          (2) The division may issue a temporary license, in accordance with Section 58-1-303 and
             87      any other conditions established by rule, to an applicant who meets all of the requirements for
             88      licensure except the examination requirement of Subsection (1)(e).
             89          Section 6. Section 58-75-303 is enacted to read:


             90          58-75-303. Term of license -- Expiration -- Renewal.
             91          (1) The division shall issue each license under this chapter in accordance with a two-year
             92      renewal cycle established by rule. The division may by rule extend or shorten a renewal cycle by
             93      as much as one year to stagger the renewal cycles it administers.
             94          (2) Each licensee shall, at the time of applying for renewal, demonstrate compliance with
             95      continuing education requirements established by rule by the division in collaboration with the
             96      board.
             97          (3) Each license automatically expires on the expiration date shown on the license unless
             98      the licensee renews it in accordance with Section 58-1-308 .
             99          Section 7. Section 58-75-304 is enacted to read:
             100          58-75-304. Exemptions from licensure.
             101          In addition to the exemptions from licensure in Section 58-1-307 , persons who have
             102      received a PhD in medical genetics from a program that is accredited by the American Board of
             103      Medical Genetics may engage in the practice of genetic counseling without being licensed under
             104      this chapter.
             105          Section 8. Section 58-75-401 is enacted to read:
             106     
Part 4. License Denial and Discipline

             107          58-75-401. Grounds for denial of license -- Disciplinary proceedings.
             108          Grounds for refusing to issue a license to an applicant, for refusing to renew the license of
             109      a licensee, for revoking, suspending, restricting, or placing on probation the license of a licensee,
             110      for issuing a public or private reprimand to a licensee, and for issuing a cease and desist order shall
             111      be in accordance with Section 58-1-401 .
             112          Section 9. Section 58-75-501 is enacted to read:
             113     
Part 5. Unlawful and Unprofessional Conduct

             114          58-75-501. Unlawful conduct.
             115          "Unlawful conduct" includes, in addition to the definition in Section 58-1-501 , using the
             116      title "genetic counselor" or any other title or designation tending to indicate that the person is a
             117      genetic counselor unless that person has a current license as a genetic counselor issued under this
             118      chapter.
             119          Section 10. Section 58-75-502 is enacted to read:
             120          58-75-502. Unprofessional conduct.


             121          "Unprofessional conduct" includes, in addition to the definition in Section 58-1-501 and
             122      as may be further defined by rule:
             123          (1) engaging in any act or practice in a professional capacity which the licensee is not
             124      competent to perform through training or experience;
             125          (2) failing to refer a client to other competent professionals when the licensee is unable
             126      to adequately support or serve the client;
             127          (3) failing to maintain the confidentiality of any information received from a client, unless
             128      released by the client; and
             129          (4) exploiting a client for personal advantage, profit, or interest.




Legislative Review Note
    as of 1-8-01 2:54 PM


A limited legal review of this legislation raises no obvious constitutional or statutory concerns.

Office of Legislative Research and General Counsel


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