STAND. COM. REP. NO. 855

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE:    S.B. No. 1805

       S.D. 1

Honorable Colleen Hanabusa

President of the Senate

Twenty-Fourth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2007

State of Hawaii

Madam:

     Your Committee on Commerce, Consumer Protection, and Affordable Housing, to which was referred S.B. No. 1805, S.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO GENETIC COUNSELORS,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose of this measure is to establish licensure and licensure qualifications for genetic counselors under the Department of Health.

     Specifically, this measure would prohibit a person from using the letters "L.G.C." in connection with the person's name or use any words or symbols indicating or tending to indicate that the person is a licensed genetic counselor, without first holding a license in Hawaii.

     Your Committee received written comments in support of this measure from the March of Dimes, The Queen's Medical Center, and nine individuals.

     Your Committee finds that genetic counselors are health professionals with specialized graduate degrees and experience in the areas of medical genetics and counseling.  The American Board of Genetic Counseling is the national certification entity.  Genetic counselors provide information and support to families who have members with birth defects or genetic disorders, and to families who may be at risk for a variety of inherited conditions.  Genetic counselors translate scientific knowledge into practical information to help families make decisions concerning childbearing.

     Your Committee believes that the licensure of genetic counselors will help protect the public from persons who are unauthorized or untrained to provide genetic counseling services.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Commerce, Consumer Protection, and Affordable Housing that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 1805, S.D. 1, and recommends that it pass Third Reading.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Commerce, Consumer Protection, and Affordable Housing,

____________________________

BRIAN T. TANIGUCHI, Chair