SB3231

Report Title:

Genetic Counselor; Licensure; Professional; Health Care

Description:

Establishes guidelines for licensure of genetic counselors to ensure professional and quality services for public safety and welfare.

THE SENATE	S.B. NO.	3231
TWENTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2006
STATE OF HAWAII

A BILL FOR AN ACT

relating to professional licensure.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

SECTION 1. The purpose of this Act is to regulate individuals offering genetic counseling services and to:

(1) Safeguard the public health, safety, and welfare;

(2) Protect those seeking genetic counseling services from incompetent and unscrupulous persons, and persons unauthorized to perform these services;

(3) Assure the highest degree of professional conduct on the part of genetic counselors; and

(4) Assure the availability of high quality genetic counseling services.

SECTION 2. The Hawaii Revised Statutes is amended by adding a new chapter to be appropriately designated and to read as follows:

"CHAPTER

GENETIC COUNSELORS

§ -1 Definitions. As used in this chapter:

"Board certified" means an individual who has passed the American Board of Genetic Counseling certification examination and remains actively certified by American Board of Genetic Counseling.

"Board eligible" means an individual who has documentation of eligibility to take the American Board of Genetic Counseling certification examinations.

"Department" means the department of health.

"Director" means the director of health.

"Genetic counseling practice" means the integration and application of scientific principles of genetics, behavioral, and social sciences for the evaluation, risk determination, management, and prevention strategies for genetic disorders throughout the life cycle.

"Licensed genetic counselor" means an individual who holds a license in good standing to practice genetic counseling under this chapter.

§ -2 Genetic counseling licensure program. There is established a genetic counseling licensure program within the department to be administered by the director.

§ -3 Powers and duties of the director. In addition to any other powers and duties authorized by law, the director shall have the following powers and duties:

(1) Examine and approve the qualifications of all applicants under this chapter and issue a license to each successful applicant granting permission to use the title of "licensed genetic counselor" or "genetic counselor" in this State pursuant to this chapter and the rules adopted pursuant thereto;

(2) Adopt, amend, or repeal rules pursuant to chapter 91 as the director finds necessary to carry out this chapter;

(3) Administer, coordinate, and enforce this chapter and rules adopted pursuant thereto;

(4) Discipline a licensed genetic counselor for any cause described by this chapter or for any violation of the rules, and refuse to license an individual for failure to meet licensure requirements or for any cause that would be grounds for disciplining a licensed genetic counselor; and

(5) Direct the department of health genetics program to assist with the implementation of this chapter and the rules adopted pursuant thereto.

§ -4 Licensure required. No individual shall purport to be a licensed genetic counselor or use the letters "L.G.C." in connection with the individual's name, or use any words or symbols indicating or tending to indicate that the individual is a licensed genetic counselor without meeting the applicable requirements and holding a license as set forth in this chapter.

§ -5 Licensure requirements. The director shall adopt rules as deemed necessary for the licensure of genetic counselors to protect public health and safety and may consider the following factors as evidence in determining whether an applicant is qualified to be licensed:

(1) The applicant is board certified by the American Board of Genetic Counseling; and

(2) A submitted report of any disciplinary action or rejections of license applications or renewals relating to genetic counseling practice taken against the applicant in another jurisdiction.

§ -6 Provisional license. The director shall grant, upon application and payment of proper fees, provisional licensure to an individual who, at the time of application, is documented to be board eligible by the American Board of Genetic Counseling. Provisional licenses will only be issued for a maximum of four years from the time of granting of the provisional license.

§ -7 Licensure by endorsement. The director shall grant, upon application and payment of proper fees, licensure to an individual who, at the time of application, holds a valid license as a genetic counselor issued by another state, territory, or jurisdiction if the requirements for that certification or license are equal to, or greater than, the requirements of this chapter.

§ -8 Issuance of license. The director shall issue a license to any individual who meets the requirements of this chapter, upon payment of the prescribed fees.

§ -9 Renewal of license. (a) Every license issued under this chapter shall be renewed annually on or before June 30, with the first renewal deadline occurring on July 1, 2008. Failure to renew a license shall result in a forfeiture of the license. Licenses that have been so forfeited may be restored within one year of the expiration date upon payment of renewal and penalty fees. Failure to restore a forfeited license within six months of the date of its expiration shall result in the automatic termination of the license, and re-licensure may require the individual to apply as a new applicant.

(b) An applicant who is board eligible must obtain American Board of Genetic Counseling certification within two examination cycles to continue to be eligible for license renewal.

§ -10 Application for licensure. (a) Application for a license shall be made on an application form to be furnished by the department of health. An applicant shall provide the following information on the application form:

(1) The applicant's legal name;

(2) The applicant's current residence and business mailing addresses and phone numbers;

(3) The applicant's social security number;

(4) The date and place of any conviction of a penal crime directly related to the profession or vocation in which the applicant is applying for licensure, unless the conviction has been expunged or annulled, or is otherwise precluded from consideration by section 831-3.1;

(5) Proof that the applicant is a United States citizen, a United States national, or an alien authorized to work in the United States;

(6) Disclosure of similar licensure in any state or territory;

(7) Disclosure of disciplinary action by any state or territory against any license held by the applicant; and

(8) Any other information the licensing authority may require to investigate the applicant's qualifications for licensure.

Failure to provide the above information and pay the required fees shall be grounds to deny the application for licensure.

§ -11 Fees; disposition. (a) Application, examination, reexamination, license, renewal, late renewal penalty fees, inactive, and other reasonable and necessary fees relating to administration of this chapter shall be as provided in rules adopted by the director pursuant to chapter 91.

(b) Fees assessed shall defray all costs to be incurred by the director to support the operation of the genetic counselor licensure program.

§ -12 Revocation, suspension, denial, or condition of licenses; fines. In addition to any other acts or conditions provided by law, the director may refuse to renew, reinstate, or restore, or may deny, revoke, suspend, fine, or condition in any manner any license for any one or more of the following acts or conditions on the part of the applicant or licensed genetic counselor:

(1) Conviction by a court of competent jurisdiction of a crime that the director has determined to be of a nature that renders the individual convicted unfit to practice genetic counseling;

(2) Failure to report in writing to the director any disciplinary decision or rejection of license application or renewal related to genetic practice issued against the licensed genetic counselor or the applicant in any jurisdiction within thirty days of the disciplinary decision or within twenty days of licensure;

(3) Violation of recognized ethical standards for genetic counselors as set by the National Society of Genetic Counselors;

(4) Use of fraud, deception, or misrepresentation in obtaining a license;

(5) Revocation, suspension, or other disciplinary action by another state, territory, federal agency, or country against the licensed genetic counselor or applicant for any reason provided under this section; or

(6) Other just and sufficient cause that renders an individual unfit to practice genetic counseling.

§ -13 Hearings; appeals. The director will establish a hearing and appeals process for persons who wish to appeal their revocation, suspension, denial, or condition of license.

§ -14 Prohibited acts; penalties. (a) No individual shall:

(1) Use in connection with the person's name any designation tending to imply that the individual is a licensed genetic counselor unless the individual is duly licensed and authorized under this chapter; or

(2) Represent oneself as a licensed genetic counselor during the time the person's license issued under this chapter is forfeited, inactive, terminated, suspended, or revoked.

(b) Any individual who violates this section shall be subject to a fine of not more than $1,000 and each day's violation shall be deemed a separate offense."

SECTION 3. This Act shall take effect on its approval.

INTRODUCED BY:	_____________________________