Honorable Robert Bunda

President of the Senate

Twenty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2006

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Health, to which was referred S.B. No. 3231 entitled:

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to establish guidelines for professional licensure of genetic counselors to ensure the public has access to qualified genetic counselors.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the March of Dimes, Kaiser Permanente, Ohana Genetics, Kapiolani Medical Center for Women and Children, and twenty-one individuals.

Your Committee finds that genetic counselors are specially trained professionals whose unique skills make them a valuable member of a health care team. In addition to many other duties, genetic counselors perform risk assessments for the leading causes of death such as cancer, stroke, and heart disease. Providing this information to physicians and patients has the potential to optimize health care, prevent disease, and enhance overall quality of life.

Your Committee further finds that to ensure the public health and welfare and to continue the high standards of care provided by genetic counselors, professional licensure guidelines need to be established.

Your Committee further finds that a new regulatory program like the one proposed in this measure requires a sunrise report pursuant to §26H-5, Hawaii Revised Statutes. The measure is being referred to the Committee on Commerce, Consumer Protection, and Housing for additional input to provide the Auditor a framework with which to perform the sunrise analysis.

Your Committee has amended this measure by adopting the suggestions of the March of Dimes and Kaiser Permanente by licensing genetic counselors through the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs, instead of the Department of Health. Additionally, your Committee amended this measure by clarifying the scope of practice for genetic counselors and including an exemption section.

Your Committee also amended this measure by making technical, nonsubstantive amendments for purposes of clarity and style.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Health that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 3231, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 3231, S.D. 1, and be referred to the Committee on Commerce, Consumer Protection, and Housing.