BILL ANALYSIS
AB 2300
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CONCURRENCE IN SENATE AMENDMENTS
AB 2300 (Emmerson)
As Amended August 18, 2010
Majority vote
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|ASSEMBLY: |74-0 |(May 6, 2010) |SENATE: |31-0 |(August 20, |
| | | | | |2010) |
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Original Committee Reference: B.,P. & C.P.
SUMMARY : Establishes a temporary genetic counselor license (TGCL)
and an interim genetic counselor license (IGCL). Specifically, this
bill :
The Senate amendments :
1)Require, until the State Department of Public Health (DPH) finalizes
regulations to implement the genetic counselor license, the DPH to
grant an interim genetic counselor license (IGCL) to a genetic
counselor applicant who meets specified requirements, pays the
application fee, is currently credentialed and in good standing with
the American Board of Genetic Counseling (board), and has no history
of disciplinary action by the board.
2)State that those genetic counselors holding an IGCL will be subject
to the final regulations relating to a genetic counselor license,
and the IGCL shall become inoperative once those regulations are in
place.
3)Permit the DPH to revoke an IGCL if the counselor loses his or her
credential granted by the board or is placed on probationary status
or has been convicted of a felony charge that is substantially
related to the qualifications, functions, or duties of a genetic
counselor. A plea of guilty or nolo contendere to a felony charge
shall be deemed a conviction for the purposes of this paragraph.
4)Requires a TGCL applicant to meet either of the following
requirements:
a) The person has applied for the first available certification
AB 2300
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examination offered. The DPH may require an applicant for a
temporary genetic counselor license to provide documentation of
acceptance for the examination; or,
b) The person meets the requirements to apply for the
certification examination and plans to apply to sit for the
examination in the year following the year of the first available
examination. DPH shall require the applicant to provide
documentation showing registration for the examination when the
documentation is received by the applicant. After the applicant
takes the exam, DPH shall require the applicant to provide
documentation showing that the applicant took the examination.
5)Make the TGCL valid for two years, instead of one, and state that it
cannot be extended or renewed.
6)Requires the applicant for a TGCL to provide documentation showing
registration for the examination, when that document is received by
the applicant, that the applicant took the examination, and pay a
fee of $200.
7)Permits the DPH to revoke a TGCL if the person has been convicted of
a felony charge that is substantially related to the qualifications,
functions, or duties of a genetic counselor. A plea of guilty or
nolo contendere to a felony charge shall be deemed a conviction for
the purposes of this subdivision.
8)Make the TGCL and IGCL provisions operative on July 1, 2011.
9)Sunset the above provisions relating to a genetic counselor license,
the TGCL, and the interim license on January 1, 2014, and makes
operative the following provisions:
a) No person shall use the title of genetic counselor unless the
person has applied for and obtained a license from the DPH;
b) The applicant for a genetic counselor license shall meet
minimum qualifications that include, but are not limited to, both
of the following:
i) Has earned a master's degree or above from a program
specializing in or having substantial course content in
genetics; and,
ii) Has demonstrated competence by an examination administered
or approved by the DPH.
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c) The license shall be valid for three years unless at any time
during that period it is revoked or suspended. The license may be
renewed prior to the expiration of the three-year period;
d) To qualify to renew the license, a licenseholder shall have
completed 45 hours of continuing education units during the
three-year license renewal period. At least 30 hours of the
continuing education units shall be in genetics; and,
e) The license fee for an original license and license renewal
shall not exceed $200.
10)Make technical and conforming amends.
AS PASSED BY THE ASSEMBLY , this bill required the DPH to issue a TGCL
after July 1, 2011 to genetic counselors meeting specified current law
eligibility.
FISCAL EFFECT : According to the Senate Appropriations Committee
analysis:
Fiscal Impact (in thousands)
Major Provisions 2010-11 2011-12 2012-13 Fund
CDPH licensing staff up to $50 up to $50 $25Special*
*State Department of Public Health Licensing and Certification Fund
COMMENTS : This bill is substantially similar to the version approved
by the Assembly.
Analysis Prepared by : Sarah Weaver / B., P. & C.P. / (916) 319-3301
FN:
0006378