STAND. COM. REP. NO.  1096-08

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2008

RE:   S.B. No. 1805

      S.D. 1

Honorable Calvin K.Y. Say

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Fourth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2008

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committee on Health, 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 a professional licensure program for genetic counselors under the Department of Health.

     More specifically, this measure would help protect public safety and welfare by prohibiting a provider that does not hold a license in Hawaii from using the letters "L.G.C." in connection with that person's name, and by preventing an unlicensed provider from acting as a "genetic counselor" without appropriate training and accurate information.

     Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the March of Dimes Hawaii Chapter, a number of health care professionals including certified genetic counselors, physicians, a registered nurse, and two private individuals.  The Hawaii Medical Association submitted testimony supporting the intent of the measure.

     Your Committee finds that genetic counselors are health professionals with specialized graduate degrees, who often have more knowledge of genetic risks for disease and genetic testing techniques than primary care physicians.  They often 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.  Your Committee further finds that while the American Board of Genetic Counselors offers certification for genetic counselors who choose to take the national board examination, this is not a legally enforceable standard.  Your Committee believes that genetic counselors play a central role in assisting patients and their physicians with genetic counseling services and that the licensure of genetic counselors will ensure that patients to receive adequate care and genetic services statewide.

     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. 1805, S.D. 1, and recommends that it pass Second Reading and be referred to the Committee on Consumer Protection & Commerce.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Health,

____________________________

JOSHUA B. GREEN, M.D., Chair