BILL NUMBER: S3552
SPONSOR: BRESLIN
 
TITLE OF BILL:
An act to amend the education law, in relation to licensing of genetic
counselors
 
PURPOSE:
This bill establishes genetic counseling as a licensed profession.
 
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:
This legislation would establish genetic counseling as a licensed
profession in New York State. The bill would provide for licensure,
provisional licensure, professional standards, continuing education
requirements, conduct and registration of genetic counselors.
 
JUSTIFICATION:
In the last decade, advances in technology and the understanding of
human genetics have rapidly expanded the number of tests available to
directly test for genetic conditions and genetic susceptibility to
common diseases like cancer, diabetes and heart disease. New methods in
gene sequencing have made mapping an individual's entire genome a reali-
ty. This technology promises to deliver individualized medicine to the
public in the very near future.
Interpretation of genetic/genomic test results is complex and requires
specialized knowledge and communication skills to: determine whether the
patient wants and needs the test; ensure that the patient is taking the
most appropriate genetic/genomic test; provide the patient with neces-
sary information to obtain informed consent required by New York State
law; facilitate proper medical management based on the patient's
genetic/genomic test results; and appropriately disseminate the genetic
information to the patient's health care providers and at-risk family
members. Genetic counselors who have met the educational requirements
and certification standards as established by this legislation are
ensured of possessing these requisite skills.
New Yorkers deserve a competent health care workforce that can help to
apply genomic information to the public with safety and human rights in
mind. The State of New York has a long tradition of protecting the safe-
ty and health of individual recipients of professional services by
setting high standards for the licensing and conduct of providers of
such services. This legislation would ensure the benefits of
genetic/genomic information for those who seek it, by ensuring that
genetic counselors are licensed and accountable.
 
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
2021-22: S.5355-A
2019-20: S.6021- Referred to Higher Education
2017-18: A.2275-8 - Referred to Higher Education; S.1323-B - Passed
Senate
2015-16: A.5281-8 - Referred to Higher Education; S.4820-8 - Reported to
Finance
2013-14: A.3550-B (Sweeney) - Referred to Higher Education; 5.2904-8
Referred to Higher Education
2011-12: A.5641 (Sweeney) - Referred to Higher Education; 5.3514
Referred to Higher Education
2009-10: A.5766 (Sweeney) - Referred to Higher Education; 5.2757
Referred to Higher Education
2007-08: A.3556-A (Sweeney) - Referred to Higher Education; S.1858-A
Referred to Higher Education
2006: A.8065 (Sweeney) - Referred to Higher Education
 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:
Any fiscal implications related to licensure of the genetic counselors
would be offset through license fees.
 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This bill shall take effect two years after it shall have become a law;
provided, however, that the state education department is authorized to
promulgate any and all rules and regulations and take any other measure
necessary to implement this act, including, but not limited to, the
appointment of board members pursuant to section 7052 of the education
law, as added by section two of this act on or before such effective
date.