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AB255,4,2020 252.14 (1) (ar) 4s. A genetic counselor licensed under subch. VIII of ch. 448.
AB255,12 21Section 12. 440.03 (13) (b) 30m. of the statutes is created to read:
AB255,4,2222 440.03 (13) (b) 30m. Genetic counselor.
AB255,13 23Section 13. 440.08 (2) (a) 37m. of the statutes is created to read:
AB255,4,2424 440.08 (2) (a) 37m. Genetic counselor: November 1 of each odd-numbered year.
AB255,14 25Section 14. 446.01 (1v) (d) of the statutes is amended to read:
AB255,5,3
1446.01 (1v) (d) Physical therapy examining board under subch. III of ch. 448.
2“Health care professional” also includes an individual who holds a compact privilege
3under subch. IX X of ch. 448.
AB255,15 4Section 15. 448.956 (1m) of the statutes is amended to read:
AB255,5,115 448.956 (1m) Subject to sub. (1) (a), a licensee may provide athletic training
6to an individual without a referral, except that a licensee may not provide athletic
7training as described under s. 448.95 (5) (d) or (e) in an outpatient rehabilitation
8setting unless the licensee has obtained a written referral for the individual from a
9practitioner licensed or certified under subch. II, III, IV, V, or VII of this chapter;
10under ch. 446; or under s. 441.16 (2) or from a practitioner who holds a compact
11privilege under subch. IX X of ch. 448.
AB255,16 12Section 16. 448.956 (4) of the statutes is amended to read:
AB255,5,1813 448.956 (4) If a licensee or the consulting physician of the licensee determines
14that a patient's medical condition is beyond the scope of practice of the licensee, the
15licensee shall, in accordance with the protocol established under sub. (1) (a), refer the
16patient to a health care practitioner who is licensed under ch. 446 or 447 or subch.
17II, III or IV of ch. 448; or who holds a compact privilege under subch. IX X of ch. 448
18and who can provide appropriate treatment to the patient.
AB255,17 19Section 17. Subchapter VIII of chapter 448 [precedes 448.970] of the statutes
20is created to read:
AB255,5,2121 chapter 448
AB255,5,2222 subchapter VIII
AB255,5,2323 genetic counselors affiliated
AB255,5,2424 credentialing board
AB255,5,25 25448.970 Definitions. In this subchapter:
AB255,6,4
1(1) “Accreditation Council for Genetic Counseling,” “American Board of
2Genetic Counseling," “American Board of Medical Genetics and Genomics,” and
3“National Society of Genetic Counselors” include an equivalent successor
4organization as determined by the board.
AB255,6,5 5(2) “Board" means the genetic counselors affiliated credentialing board.
AB255,6,6 6(3) “Genetic counseling” means to do any of the following:
AB255,6,97 (a) Obtain and evaluate individual, family, and medical histories to determine
8genetic risk for genetic or medical conditions and diseases in a patient, a patient's
9offspring, and other family members.
AB255,6,1210 (b) Discuss the features, natural history, means of diagnosis, genetic and
11environmental factors, and management of risk for genetic or medical conditions and
12diseases.
AB255,6,1413 (c) Identify, coordinate, and order genetic laboratory tests as appropriate for a
14genetic assessment.
AB255,6,1715 (d) Integrate genetic laboratory test results with personal and family medical
16history to assess and communicate risk factors for genetic or medical conditions and
17diseases.
AB255,6,1918 (e) Explain the clinical implications of genetic laboratory tests and other
19diagnostic studies and their results.
AB255,6,2120 (f) Evaluate a patient's or family's responses to the condition or risk of
21recurrence and provide patient-centered counseling and anticipatory guidance.
AB255,6,2322 (g) Provide written documentation of medical, genetic, and counseling
23information for families and health care professionals.
AB255,6,25 24(4) “Genetic counselor" means an individual who is licensed by the board to
25practice genetic counseling.
AB255,7,3
1448.971 License required; exceptions. (1) (a) Except as provided in sub.
2(2), no person may practice genetic counseling unless the person is licensed under
3this subchapter.
AB255,7,104 (b) No person may designate himself or herself as a genetic counselor or use or
5assume the title “genetic associate," “genetic counselor," “licensed genetic counselor,"
6or “registered genetic counselor," or append to the person's name the letters “G.A.,"
7“G.C.," “L.G.C.," or “R.G.C.," or use any insignia or designation that would imply that
8the individual is licensed or certified or registered as a genetic counselor, or claim to
9render genetic counseling services unless the person is licensed under this
10subchapter.
AB255,7,12 11(2) A license is not required under this subchapter for any of the following if
12the person does not claim to be a genetic counselor:
AB255,7,1513 (a) Any person, such as a physician, who is lawfully practicing within the scope
14of a license, permit, registration, or certification granted by this state or the federal
15government.
AB255,7,1716 (b) Any person assisting a genetic counselor in practice under the direct,
17on-premises supervision of the genetic counselor.
AB255,7,2018 (c) A student of genetic counseling assisting a genetic counselor in the practice
19of genetic counseling if the assistance is within the scope of the student's education
20or training.
AB255,8,221 (d) A person who is licensed to practice genetic counseling in another state or
22country and who is providing consulting services in this state on a temporary basis,
23as determined by the board by rule, if the person notifies the board that he or she will
24be providing consulting services and of the nature and date of those services and

1receives authorization from the board to provide consulting services on a temporary
2basis under this paragraph.
AB255,8,53 (e) A person who is not licensed to practice genetic counseling in another state
4or country and who is providing consulting services in this state on a temporary
5basis, as determined by the board by rule, if the person satisfies all of the following:
AB255,8,76 1. The person is certified by the American Board of Genetic Counseling or the
7American Board of Medical Genetics and Genomics.
AB255,8,98 2. The person notifies the board that he or she will be providing consulting
9services and of the nature and date of those services.
AB255,8,1110 3. The person receives authorization from the board to provide consulting
11services on a temporary basis under this paragraph.
AB255,8,13 12448.973 Duties and powers of board. The board shall promulgate rules to
13do all of the following:
AB255,8,15 14(1) Adopt the National Society of Genetic Counselors code of ethics as a code
15of ethics governing the professional conduct of genetic counselors.
AB255,8,17 16(2) Establish criteria for the approval of continuing education programs and
17courses required for renewal of a genetic counselor license.
AB255,8,19 18(3) Establish requirements for an applicant seeking renewal of a genetic
19counselor license, including that an applicant has satisfied all of the following:
AB255,8,2120 (a) Successfully completed at least 30 hours of continuing education in the prior
212-year period.
AB255,8,2322 (b) Maintained certification from and, if applicable, achieved recertification
23through the American Board of Genetic Counseling.
AB255,8,25 24(4) Adopt a definition of “temporary basis" for purposes of s. 448.971 (2) (d) and
25(e).
AB255,9,3
1448.974 Licensure of genetic counselors. (1) Except as provided in sub.
2(2), the board shall grant a license as a genetic counselor to an applicant who does
3all of the following:
AB255,9,54 (a) Submits an application for the license to the department on a form provided
5by the department.
AB255,9,66 (b) Pays the fee specified in s. 440.05 (1).
AB255,9,87 (c) Subject to ss. 111.321, 111.322, and 111.335, submits evidence satisfactory
8to the board that the applicant does not have an arrest or a conviction record.
AB255,9,109 (d) Submits evidence satisfactory to the board that he or she has done all of the
10following:
AB255,9,1111 1. Satisfied one of the following:
AB255,9,1512 a. Successfully completed the academic and clinical requirements of and
13developed the practice-based competencies required by a degree-granting program
14in genetic counseling that is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Genetic
15Counseling or the American Board of Medical Genetics and Genomics.
AB255,9,1816 b. Successfully completed a degree-granting program outside of the United
17States that the board determines is substantially equivalent to a program described
18in subd. 1. a.
AB255,9,2119 2. Passed an examination administered by the American Board of Genetic
20Counseling or the genetic counseling examination administered by the American
21Board of Medical Genetics and Genomics.
AB255,9,2322 3. Obtained certification, maintained valid certification, and, if applicable,
23achieved recertification with the American Board of Genetic Counseling.
AB255,9,25 24(2) (a) The board may waive the requirements of sub. (1) (d) if the applicant
25holds an unexpired genetic counselor license issued by another state or territory or

1foreign country or province and the requirements for licensure and for renewal of a
2genetic counselor license of such other state or territory or foreign country or
3province are deemed by the board to be substantially equivalent to the requirements
4for licensure and for renewal of a genetic counselor license of this state.
AB255,10,65 (b) The board may waive the requirements of sub. (1) (d) if the applicant does
6all of the following:
AB255,10,87 1. Applies for licensure under sub. (1) by the first day of the 4th month
8beginning after the effective date of this subdivision .... [LRB inserts date].
AB255,10,99 2. Submits evidence satisfactory to the board of all of the following:
AB255,10,1110 a. Having at least 10 years of documented work experience practicing genetic
11counseling.
AB255,10,1312 b. Having completed, within the previous 5 years, 25 hours of continuing
13education approved by the National Society of Genetic Counselors.
AB255,10,1514 3. Submits to the board 2 letters of recommendation, one from a genetic
15counselor and another from a physician.
AB255,10,19 16448.975 Temporary license. (1) The board may, by rule, provide for a
17temporary license to practice genetic counseling for an applicant who satisfies the
18requirements of s. 448.974 (1) other than the examination requirement under s.
19448.974 (1) (d) 2.
AB255,10,22 20(2) Except as provided in sub. (3), a temporary license issued under this section
21expires upon granting of a license under s 448.974 (1) or on whichever of the following
22dates occurs first:
AB255,10,2423 (a) The date that is one year after the date on which the temporary license was
24granted.
AB255,11,4
1(b) If, after the applicant obtains a temporary license under this section, the
2American Board of Genetic Counseling administers the examination required under
3s. 448.974 (1) (d) 2. and the applicant takes the examination, 30 days after the results
4of the examination are issued by the American Board of Genetic Counseling.
AB255,11,9 5(3) The board may, in its discretion and only once, renew a temporary license
6issued to a person under this section, for a period specified by the board, if the person
7maintains active candidate status with the American Board of Genetic Counseling.
8The board may require an applicant for the renewal of a temporary license to appear
9before a member of the board for an interview.
AB255,11,15 10(4) A person who holds a temporary license issued under this section may not
11practice genetic counseling unless the person is under the supervision and direction
12of a genetic counselor or physician at all times while the person is practicing genetic
13counseling. The board may promulgate rules governing general supervision of a
14person holding a temporary license under this section by a genetic counselor or
15physician.
AB255,11,18 16448.976 Issuance of license; expiration and renewal. (1) The department
17shall issue a certificate of licensure to each person who is licensed under this
18subchapter.
AB255,11,23 19(2) Except as provided in s. 448.975, the renewal dates for licenses granted
20under this subchapter are specified under s. 440.08 (2) (a). Renewal applications
21shall be submitted to the department on a form provided by the department, and
22shall include the renewal fee specified in s. 440.08 (2) (a) and proof of compliance with
23the requirements established by rules promulgated by the board under s. 448.973 (3).
AB255,12,2 24448.977 Disciplinary proceedings and actions. (1) Subject to the rules
25promulgated under s. 440.03 (1), the board may make investigations and conduct

1hearings to determine whether a violation of this subchapter or any rule
2promulgated under this subchapter has occurred.
AB255,12,6 3(2) Subject to the rules promulgated under s. 440.03 (1), the board may
4reprimand a genetic counselor or may deny, limit, suspend, or revoke a license
5granted under this subchapter if it finds that the applicant or genetic counselor has
6done any of the following:
AB255,12,87 (a) Made a material misstatement in an application for a license or for renewal
8of a license.
AB255,12,109 (b) Interfered with an investigation or disciplinary proceeding by using threats,
10harassment, or intentional misrepresentation of facts.
AB255,12,1211 (c) Subject to ss. 111.321, 111.322, and 111.335, been convicted of an offense the
12circumstances of which substantially relate to the practice of genetic counseling.
AB255,12,1313 (d) Been adjudicated mentally incompetent by a court.
AB255,12,1414 (e) Advertised in a manner that is false, deceptive, or misleading.
AB255,12,1515 (f) Advertised, practiced, or attempted to practice under another's name.
AB255,12,1816 (g) Subject to ss. 111.321, 111.322, and 111.34, practiced or assisted in the
17practice of genetic counseling while the applicant's or licensee's ability to practice or
18assist was impaired by alcohol or other drugs.
AB255,12,2019 (h) Engaged in unprofessional or unethical conduct in violation of the code of
20ethics adopted in the rules promulgated under s. 448.973 (1).
AB255,12,2221 (i) Engaged in conduct while practicing genetic counseling that evidences a lack
22of knowledge or ability to apply professional principles or skills.
AB255,12,2323 (j) Violated this subchapter or any rule promulgated under this subchapter.
AB255,13,3
1(3) The board shall revoke the license of a genetic counselor who has failed to
2maintain certification with the American Board of Genetic Counseling or whose
3certification with the American Board of Genetic Counseling has been revoked.
AB255,13,7 4(4) (a) A genetic counselor may voluntarily surrender his or her license to the
5board, which may refuse to accept the surrender if the board has received allegations
6of unprofessional conduct against the genetic counselor. The board may negotiate
7stipulations in consideration for accepting the surrender of licenses.
AB255,13,98 (b) The board may restore a license that has been voluntarily surrendered
9under par. (a) on such terms and conditions as it considers appropriate.
AB255,13,12 10(5) The board shall prepare and disseminate to the public an annual report that
11describes final disciplinary action taken against genetic counselors during the
12preceding year.
AB255,13,15 13(6) The board may report final disciplinary action taken against a genetic
14counselor to any national database that includes information about disciplinary
15action taken against health care professionals.
AB255,13,20 16448.978 Injunctive relief. If the board has reason to believe that any person
17is violating this subchapter or any rule promulgated under this subchapter, the
18board, the department, the attorney general, or the district attorney of the proper
19county may investigate and may, in addition to any other remedies, bring an action
20in the name and on behalf of this state to enjoin the person from the violation.
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