HB 0479CS

CHAMBER ACTION




1The Committee on Health Care recommends the following:
2
3     Committee Substitute
4     Remove the entire bill and insert:
5
A bill to be entitled
6An act relating to genetic counselors; creating part XV of
7ch. 468, F.S., the "Genetic Counseling Practice Act";
8providing a popular name; providing legislative purpose
9and intent; providing definitions; requiring licensure to
10practice genetic counseling; providing exemptions;
11creating the Board of Genetic Counselors and providing for
12appointment and staggering of terms of its members;
13requiring the board to adopt rules; providing licensure
14requirements; providing for biennial renewal of licensure;
15providing for continuing education; providing fees;
16prohibiting certain acts; providing penalties; providing
17grounds for disciplinary action; providing for denial of
18licensure or imposition of other disciplinary actions
19authorized by law; amending s. 20.43, F.S.; creating the
20Board of Genetic Counselors within the Division of Medical
21Quality Assurance in the Department of Health; amending s.
22456.001, F.S.; redefining the term "health care
23practitioner" to include persons licensed under part XV of
24chapter 468, F.S.; providing an effective date.
25
26Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Florida:
27
28     Section 1.  Part XV of chapter 468, Florida Statutes,
29consisting of sections 468.901, 468.902, 468.903, 468.904,
30468.905, 468.906, 468.907, 468.908, 468.909, 468.911, 468.912,
31and 468.913, is created to read:
32
PART XV
33
GENETIC COUNSELORS
34     468.901  Popular name.--This part may be cited by the
35popular name the "Genetic Counseling Practice Act."
36     468.902  Purpose and intent.--The sole legislative purpose
37in enacting this part is to ensure that every genetic counselor
38practicing in this state meets minimum requirements for safe
39practice. It is the legislative intent that genetic counselors
40who fall below minimum competency or who otherwise present a
41danger to the public shall be prohibited from practicing in this
42state. This part does not require payment from insurers for
43genetic counseling services. This act does not apply to
44counselors who do not identify or advertise themselves as
45genetic counselors and who do not provide genetic risk
46assessment, diagnosis and interpretation of family history, and
47genetic test results.
48     468.903  Definitions.--As used in this part, the term:
49     (1)  "Board" means the Board of Genetic Counselors.
50     (2)  "Department" means the Department of Health.
51     (3)  "Genetic counselor" means a person licensed under this
52part to practice genetic counseling.
53     (4)  "Practice of genetic counseling" means, for
54remuneration, the communication process that deals with the
55human problems associated with the occurrence, or the risk of
56occurrence, of a genetic disorder in a family, including the
57provision of services to help an individual or family:
58     (a)  Comprehend the medical facts, including the diagnosis,
59the probable cause of the disorder, and the available management
60of the disorder.
61     (b)  Appreciate the way heredity contributes to the
62disorder and the risk of occurrence in specified relatives.
63     (c)  Understand the alternatives for dealing with the risk
64of occurrence.
65     (d)  Choose the course of action which seems appropriate to
66them in view of their risk, their family goals, and their
67ethical and religious standards, and to act in accordance with
68that decision.
69     (e)  Make the best possible psychosocial adjustment to the
70disorder in an affected family member or to the risk of
71occurrence of that disorder.
72     468.904  License required.--A person may not practice
73genetic counseling or hold himself or herself out as a genetic
74counselor or as being able to practice genetic counseling or to
75render genetic counseling services in the state unless he or she
76is licensed in accordance with this part.
77     468.905  Exemptions.--This part does not apply to:
78     (1)  Commissioned medical officers of the Armed Forces of
79the United States and of the Public Health Service of the United
80States while on active duty and while acting within the scope of
81their military or public health responsibilities.
82     (2)  A health care practitioner defined in s. 456.001 who
83is practicing within the scope of the health care practitioner's
84license and who is doing work of a nature consistent with his or
85her training and licensure.
86     468.906  Board of Genetic Counselors.--
87     (1)  The Board of Genetic Counselors is created within the
88department and shall consist of five members, to be appointed by
89the Governor and confirmed by the Senate.
90     (2)  Three members of the board must be licensed genetic
91counselors who are residents of the state. The remaining two
92members must be residents of the state who are not, and have
93never been, licensed as genetic counselors or members of any
94closely related profession.
95     (3)(a)  For the purpose of staggering terms, the Governor
96shall appoint the initial members of the board as follows:
97     1.  One licensee member and one consumer member for terms
98of 2 years each.
99     2.  One licensee member and one consumer member for terms
100of 3 years each.
101     3.  One licensee member for a term of 4 years.
102     (b)  As the terms of the members expire, the Governor shall
103appoint successors for terms of 4 years, and such members shall
104serve until their successors are appointed.
105     (4)  All provisions of chapter 456 relating to the board
106shall apply.
107     468.907  Authority to adopt rules.--The board shall adopt
108rules pursuant to ss. 120.536(1) and 120.54 to administer the
109provisions of this part conferring duties on it, including rules
110relating to standards of practice for genetic counselors.
111     468.908  Licensure requirements; temporary license.--
112     (1)  Any person desiring to be licensed as a genetic
113counselor under this part must apply to the department on a form
114approved by the department.
115     (2)  The department shall license each applicant who:
116     (a)  Has completed the application form and remitted the
117required fees.
118     (b)  Is of good moral character.
119     (c)  Provides satisfactory documentation of having earned:
120     1.  A master's degree from a genetic counseling training
121program or an equivalent program as determined by the American
122Board of Genetic Counseling; or
123     2.  A doctoral degree from a medical genetics training
124program that is accredited by the American Board of Medical
125Genetics.
126     (d)  Has passed the examination for certification as:
127     1.  A genetic counselor by the American Board of Genetic
128Counseling or the American Board of Medical Genetics; or
129     2.  A medical or clinical geneticist by the American Board
130of Medical Genetics.
131     (3)  The department may issue a temporary license to an
132applicant who meets all of the requirements for licensure except
133the examination requirement in this section and has obtained
134active candidate status establishing eligibility to sit for the
135next available certification exam administered by the American
136Board of Genetic Counseling.
137     468.909  Renewal of license; continuing education.--
138     (1)  The department shall renew a license upon receipt of
139the renewal application and fee set by the board, not to exceed
140$600.
141     (2)  The board shall by rule prescribe continuing education
142requirements and approve course criteria, not to exceed 30 hours
143biennially, as a condition for license renewal. The board shall
144establish a procedure for approving continuing education courses
145and providers, and may set a fee for continuing education
146courses and provider approval.
147     468.911  Fees.--
148     (1)  The board shall by rule establish fees for the
149following purposes:
150     (a)  An application fee, not to exceed $100.
151     (b)  An initial licensure fee, not to exceed $600.
152     (c)  A biennial renewal fee, not to exceed $600.
153     (d)  An inactive fee, not to exceed $100.
154     (e)  A delinquent fee, not to exceed $100.
155     (f)  A reactivation fee, not to exceed $100.
156     (g)  A voluntary inactive fee, not to exceed $100.
157     (2)  The board shall establish fees at a level, not to
158exceed the statutory fee cap, which is adequate to ensure the
159continued operation of the regulatory program under this part.
160The board may not set or maintain the fees at a level that will
161substantially exceed this need.
162     468.912  Prohibitions; penalties.--
163     (1)  A person may not:
164     (a)  Make a false or fraudulent statement in any
165application, affidavit, or statement presented to the board or
166in any proceeding before the board.
167     (b)  Practice genetic counseling without a license issued
168under this part unless exempt from licensure under this part.
169     (c)  Use the title "genetic counselor" or any other title
170or designation tending to indicate that the person is a genetic
171counselor or is otherwise authorized to practice genetic
172counseling unless that person has a current license as a genetic
173counselor issued under this part or is exempt from licensure
174under this part.
175     (2)  A person who violates any provision of this section
176commits a misdemeanor of the second degree, punishable as
177provided in s. 775.082 or s. 775.083.
178     468.913  Grounds for disciplinary action.--
179     (1)  The following acts constitute grounds for denial of a
180license or disciplinary action, as specified in s. 456.072(2):
181     (a)  Attempting to procure a license to practice genetic
182counseling by fraudulent misrepresentation.
183     (b)  Having a license to practice genetic counseling
184revoked, suspended, or otherwise acted against, including the
185denial of licensure in another jurisdiction.
186     (c)  Being convicted or found guilty of or pleading nolo
187contendere to, regardless of adjudication, in any jurisdiction,
188a crime that directly relates to the practice of genetic
189counseling, including a violation of federal laws or regulations
190regarding genetic counseling.
191     (d)  Filing a report or record that the licensee knows is
192false, intentionally or negligently failing to file a report or
193record required by state or federal law, willfully impeding or
194obstructing such filing, or inducing another person to impede or
195obstruct such filing. Such reports or records include only
196reports or records that are signed in a person's capacity as a
197licensee under this act.
198     (e)  Advertising goods or services related to genetic
199counseling in a fraudulent, false, deceptive, or misleading
200manner.
201     (f)  Violating an order of the board or department
202previously entered in a disciplinary hearing or failing to
203comply with a subpoena issued by the board or the department.
204     (g)  Practicing with a revoked, suspended, or inactive
205license.
206     (h)  Gross or repeated malpractice or the failure to
207deliver genetic counseling services with that level of care and
208skill which is recognized by a reasonably prudent licensed
209practitioner with similar professional training as being
210acceptable under similar conditions and circumstances.
211     (i)  Unprofessional conduct, which includes, but is not
212limited to, any departure from, or the failure to conform to,
213the minimum standards of acceptable and prevailing genetic
214counseling practice as set forth by the board in rules adopted
215pursuant to this part, including:
216     1.  Engaging in any act or practice in a professional
217capacity which the licensee is not competent to perform through
218training or experience.
219     2.  Failing to refer a client to other competent
220professionals when the licensee is unable or unwilling to
221adequately support or serve the client.
222     3.  Failing to maintain the confidentiality of any
223information received from a client, unless released by the
224client or otherwise authorized or required by law.
225     4.  Exploiting a client for personal advantage, profit, or
226interest.
227     (j)  Violating any provision of this part or chapter 456,
228or any rules adopted pursuant thereto.
229     (2)  The board may enter an order denying licensure or
230imposing any of the penalties in s. 456.072(2) against any
231applicant for licensure or licensee who is found guilty of
232violating any provision of subsection (1) or who is found guilty
233of violating any provision of s. 456.072(1).
234     Section 2.  Paragraph (g) of subsection (3) of section
23520.43, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:
236     20.43  Department of Health.--There is created a Department
237of Health.
238     (3)  The following divisions of the Department of Health
239are established:
240     (g)  Division of Medical Quality Assurance, which is
241responsible for the following boards and professions established
242within the division:
243     1.  The Board of Acupuncture, created under chapter 457.
244     2.  The Board of Medicine, created under chapter 458.
245     3.  The Board of Osteopathic Medicine, created under
246chapter 459.
247     4.  The Board of Chiropractic Medicine, created under
248chapter 460.
249     5.  The Board of Podiatric Medicine, created under chapter
250461.
251     6.  Naturopathy, as provided under chapter 462.
252     7.  The Board of Optometry, created under chapter 463.
253     8.  The Board of Nursing, created under part I of chapter
254464.
255     9.  Nursing assistants, as provided under part II of
256chapter 464.
257     10.  The Board of Pharmacy, created under chapter 465.
258     11.  The Board of Dentistry, created under chapter 466.
259     12.  Midwifery, as provided under chapter 467.
260     13.  The Board of Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology,
261created under part I of chapter 468.
262     14.  The Board of Nursing Home Administrators, created
263under part II of chapter 468.
264     15.  The Board of Occupational Therapy, created under part
265III of chapter 468.
266     16.  Respiratory therapy, as provided under part V of
267chapter 468.
268     17.  Dietetics and nutrition practice, as provided under
269part X of chapter 468.
270     18.  The Board of Athletic Training, created under part
271XIII of chapter 468.
272     19.  The Board of Orthotists and Prosthetists, created
273under part XIV of chapter 468.
274     20.  The Board of Genetic Counselors, created under part XV
275of chapter 468.
276     21.20.  Electrolysis, as provided under chapter 478.
277     22.21.  The Board of Massage Therapy, created under chapter
278480.
279     23.22.  The Board of Clinical Laboratory Personnel, created
280under part III of chapter 483.
281     24.23.  Medical physicists, as provided under part IV of
282chapter 483.
283     25.24.  The Board of Opticianry, created under part I of
284chapter 484.
285     26.25.  The Board of Hearing Aid Specialists, created under
286part II of chapter 484.
287     27.26.  The Board of Physical Therapy Practice, created
288under chapter 486.
289     28.27.  The Board of Psychology, created under chapter 490.
290     29.28.  School psychologists, as provided under chapter
291490.
292     30.29.  The Board of Clinical Social Work, Marriage and
293Family Therapy, and Mental Health Counseling, created under
294chapter 491.
295     Section 3.  Subsection (4) of section 456.001, Florida
296Statutes, is amended to read:
297     456.001  Definitions.--As used in this chapter, the term:
298     (4)  "Health care practitioner" means any person licensed
299under chapter 457; chapter 458; chapter 459; chapter 460;
300chapter 461; chapter 462; chapter 463; chapter 464; chapter 465;
301chapter 466; chapter 467; part I, part II, part III, part V,
302part X, part XIII, or part XIV, or part XV of chapter 468;
303chapter 478; chapter 480; part III or part IV of chapter 483;
304chapter 484; chapter 486; chapter 490; or chapter 491.
305     Section 4.  This act shall take effect October 1, 2004.


CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.