Senate Bill 1080 Summary

• Establishes the Genetic Counselors Licensing Act creating a new licensing board under the Department of Self-Governing Agencies, Bureau of Occupational Licenses, with three members (two licensed genetic counselors and one licensed physician).

• Requires licensure effective July 1, 2016 for any person practicing genetic counseling; applicants must hold a master's degree or higher in genetics or related field and pass a board-approved competency examination.

• Allows endorsement licensure for applicants licensed in other states with substantially equivalent requirements and permits provisional licenses (valid up to 5 years) for candidates with Active Candidate Status from the American Board of Genetic Counseling.

• Includes a transition provision until July 1, 2016 allowing existing genetic counselors with 10 years of experience (including 5 of the immediately preceding 5 years) and a master's degree to obtain licensure without passing the certification examination.

• Establishes board powers to set fees (capped at $500 per application or license type), require continuing education for renewal, discipline licensees, and impose civil penalties up to $1,000 per violation; also establishes client confidentiality protections and prohibits unlicensed practice as a misdemeanor.