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First Substitute S.B. 59

Senator Paula F. Julander proposes to substitute the following bill:


             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 one member of the general public.


             57          (2) The board shall be appointed and serve in accordance with Section 58-1-201 .
             58          (3) The duties and responsibilities of the board shall be in accordance with Sections
             59      58-1-202 and 58-1-203 . In addition, the board may designate one of its members on a permanent
             60      or rotating basis to:
             61          (a) assist the division in reviewing complaints concerning the unlawful or unprofessional
             62      conduct of a licensee; and
             63          (b) advise the division in its investigation of these complaints.
             64          (4) A board member who has, under Subsection (3), reviewed a complaint or advised in
             65      its investigation may be disqualified from participating with the board when the board serves as
             66      a presiding officer of an administrative proceeding concerning the complaint.
             67          Section 4. Section 58-75-301 is enacted to read:
             68     
Part 3. Licensing

             69          58-75-301. Licensure required.
             70          (1) Beginning January 1, 2002, and except as provided in Sections 58-1-307 and
             71      58-75-304 , a license is required to engage in the practice of genetic counseling.
             72          (2) The division shall issue to any person who qualifies under this chapter a license to
             73      practice genetic counseling.
             74          (3) Nothing in this chapter shall be construed to require payment from insurers for genetic
             75      counseling services.
             76          Section 5. Section 58-75-302 is enacted to read:
             77          58-75-302. Qualifications for licensure -- Temporary license.
             78          (1) Except as provided in Subsection (2), each applicant for licensure as a genetic
             79      counselor under this chapter shall:
             80          (a) submit an application in a form prescribed by the division;
             81          (b) pay a fee determined by the department under Section 63-38-3.2 ;
             82          (c) be of good moral character;
             83          (d) provide satisfactory documentation of having earned:
             84          (i) a Master's degree from a genetic counseling training program that is accredited by the
             85      American Board of Genetic Counseling; or
             86          (ii) a Doctoral degree from a medical genetics training program that is accredited by the
             87      American Board of Medical Genetics; and


             88          (e) meet the examination requirement for certification as:
             89          (i) a genetic counselor by the American Board of Genetic Counseling or the American
             90      Board of Medical Genetics; or
             91          (ii) a medical geneticist by the American Board of Medical Genetics.
             92          (2) The division may issue a temporary license, in accordance with Section 58-1-303 and
             93      any other conditions established by rule, to an applicant who meets all of the requirements for
             94      licensure except the examination requirement of Subsection (1)(e).
             95          Section 6. Section 58-75-303 is enacted to read:
             96          58-75-303. Term of license -- Expiration -- Renewal.
             97          (1) The division shall issue each license under this chapter in accordance with a two-year
             98      renewal cycle established by rule. The division may by rule extend or shorten a renewal cycle by
             99      as much as one year to stagger the renewal cycles it administers.
             100          (2) Each licensee shall, at the time of applying for renewal, demonstrate compliance with
             101      continuing education requirements established by rule by the division in collaboration with the
             102      board.
             103          (3) Each license automatically expires on the expiration date shown on the license unless
             104      the licensee renews it in accordance with Section 58-1-308 .
             105          Section 7. Section 58-75-304 is enacted to read:
             106          58-75-304. Exemptions from licensure.
             107          In addition to the exemptions from licensure set forth in Section 58-1-307 , the following
             108      persons may engage in the practice of genetic counseling subject to the stated circumstances and
             109      limitations without being licensed under this chapter:
             110          (1) an individual licensed as a physician and surgeon or osteopathic physician and surgeon
             111      under Chapter 67, Utah Medical Practice Act, and Chapter 68, Utah Osteopathic Medical Practice
             112      Act; and
             113          (2) a commissioned physician or surgeon serving in the armed forces of the United States
             114      or other federal agency.
             115          Section 8. Section 58-75-401 is enacted to read:
             116     
Part 4. License Denial and Discipline

             117          58-75-401. Grounds for denial of license -- Disciplinary proceedings.
             118          Grounds for refusing to issue a license to an applicant, for refusing to renew the license of


             119      a licensee, for revoking, suspending, restricting, or placing on probation the license of a licensee,
             120      for issuing a public or private reprimand to a licensee, and for issuing a cease and desist order shall
             121      be in accordance with Section 58-1-401 .
             122          Section 9. Section 58-75-501 is enacted to read:
             123     
Part 5. Unlawful and Unprofessional Conduct

             124          58-75-501. Unlawful conduct.
             125          "Unlawful conduct" includes, in addition to the definition in Section 58-1-501 , using the
             126      title "genetic counselor" or any other title or designation tending to indicate that the person is a
             127      genetic counselor unless that person has a current license as a genetic counselor issued under this
             128      chapter.
             129          Section 10. Section 58-75-502 is enacted to read:
             130          58-75-502. Unprofessional conduct.
             131          "Unprofessional conduct" includes, in addition to the definition in Section 58-1-501 and
             132      as may be further defined by rule:
             133          (1) engaging in any act or practice in a professional capacity which the licensee is not
             134      competent to perform through training or experience;
             135          (2) failing to refer a client to other competent professionals when the licensee is unable
             136      or unwilling to adequately support or serve the client;
             137          (3) failing to maintain the confidentiality of any information received from a client, unless
             138      released by the client or otherwise authorized or required by law; and
             139          (4) exploiting a client for personal advantage, profit, or interest.


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