AB686: Bill Text

AB686,9,25 (3) The board may, in its discretion and only once, renew a temporary license issued to a person under this section, for a period specified by the board, if the person maintains active candidate status with the American Board of Genetic Counseling. The board may require an applicant for the renewal of a temporary license to appear before a member of the board for an interview.

AB686,10,6 (4) A person who holds a temporary license issued under this section may not practice genetic counseling unless the person is under the supervision and direction of a genetic counselor or physician at all times while the person is practicing genetic counseling. The board may promulgate rules governing general supervision of a person holding a temporary license under this section by a genetic counselor or physician.

AB686,10,9 448.976 Issuance of license; expiration and renewal. (1) The department shall issue a certificate of licensure to each person who is licensed under this subchapter.

AB686,10,14 (2) Except as provided in s. 448.975, the renewal dates for licenses granted under this subchapter are specified under s. 440.08 (2) (a). Renewal applications shall be submitted to the department on a form provided by the department, and shall include the renewal fee specified in s. 440.08 (2) (a) and proof of compliance with the requirements established by rules promulgated by the board under s. 448.973 (3).

AB686,10,18 448.977 Disciplinary proceedings and actions. (1) Subject to the rules promulgated under s. 440.03 (1), the board may make investigations and conduct hearings to determine whether a violation of this subchapter or any rule promulgated under this subchapter has occurred.

AB686,10,22 (2) Subject to the rules promulgated under s. 440.03 (1), the board may reprimand a genetic counselor or may deny, limit, suspend, or revoke a license granted under this subchapter if it finds that the applicant or genetic counselor has done any of the following:

AB686,10,24 (a) Made a material misstatement in an application for a license or for renewal of a license.

AB686,11,2 (b) Interfered with an investigation or disciplinary proceeding by using threats, harassment, or intentional misrepresentation of facts.

AB686,11,4 (c) Subject to ss. 111.321, 111.322, and 111.335, been convicted of an offense the circumstances of which substantially relate to the practice of genetic counseling.

AB686,11,5 (d) Been adjudicated mentally incompetent by a court.

AB686,11,6 (e) Advertised in a manner that is false, deceptive, or misleading.

AB686,11,7 (f) Advertised, practiced, or attempted to practice under another's name.

AB686,11,10 (g) Subject to ss. 111.321, 111.322, and 111.34, practiced or assisted in the practice of genetic counseling while the applicant's or licensee's ability to practice or assist was impaired by alcohol or other drugs.

AB686,11,12 (h) Engaged in unprofessional or unethical conduct in violation of the code of ethics adopted in the rules promulgated under s. 448.973 (1).

AB686,11,14 (i) Engaged in conduct while practicing genetic counseling that evidences a lack of knowledge or ability to apply professional principles or skills.

AB686,11,15 (j) Violated this subchapter or any rule promulgated under this subchapter.

AB686,11,18 (3) The board shall revoke the license of a genetic counselor who has failed to maintain certification with the American Board of Genetic Counseling or whose certification with the American Board of Genetic Counseling has been revoked.

AB686,11,22 (4) (a) A genetic counselor may voluntarily surrender his or her license to the board, which may refuse to accept the surrender if the board has received allegations of unprofessional conduct against the genetic counselor. The board may negotiate stipulations in consideration for accepting the surrender of licenses.

AB686,11,24 (b) The board may restore a license that has been voluntarily surrendered under par. (a) on such terms and conditions as it considers appropriate.

AB686,12,3 (5) The board shall prepare and disseminate to the public an annual report that describes final disciplinary action taken against genetic counselors during the preceding year.

AB686,12,6 (6) The board may report final disciplinary action taken against a genetic counselor to any national database that includes information about disciplinary action taken against health care professionals.

AB686,12,11 448.978 Injunctive relief. If the board has reason to believe that any person is violating this subchapter or any rule promulgated under this subchapter, the board, the department, the attorney general, or the district attorney of the proper county may investigate and may, in addition to any other remedies, bring an action in the name and on behalf of this state to enjoin the person from the violation.

AB686,12,14 448.979 Penalties. Any person who violates this subchapter or any rule promulgated under this subchapter may be fined not more than $10,000 or imprisoned for not more than 9 months or both.

AB686,12 Section 12. 448.970 of the statutes is renumbered 448.9695.

AB686,13 Section 13. Subchapter VIII (title) of chapter 448 [precedes 448.980] of the statutes is renumbered subchapter IX (title) of chapter 448 [precedes 448.980].

AB686,14 Section 14. 450.10 (3) (a) 5. of the statutes is amended to read:

AB686,12,21 450.10 (3) (a) 5. A physician, physician assistant, podiatrist, physical therapist, physical therapist assistant, occupational therapist, or occupational therapy assistant, or genetic counselor licensed under ch. 448.

AB686,15 Section 15 . Nonstatutory provisions.

AB686,12,25 (1) Initial appointments. Notwithstanding the lengths of the terms specified in s. 15.406 (7) (intro.), the initial members of the genetic counselors affiliated credentialing board shall be initially appointed for the following terms:

AB686,13,3 (a) One genetic counselor and one person licensed to practice medicine and surgery under subch. II of ch. 448 who is a clinical geneticist, for terms expiring on July 1, 2022.

AB686,13,5 (b) One genetic counselor and one person licensed to practice medicine and surgery under subch. II of ch. 448, for terms expiring on July 1, 2023.

AB686,13,7 (c) Two genetic counselors and one public member, for terms expiring on July 1, 2024.

AB686,13,14 (2) Qualifications of initial members of the genetic counselors affiliated credentialing board. Notwithstanding s. 15.406 (7), an initial member of the genetic counselors affiliated credentialing board appointed under s. 15.406 (7) is not required to be a licensed genetic counselor under s. 448.974, if the appointment occurs before the date specified in Section 16 (intro.) of this act and at the time of the appointment the individual holds a valid certification issued by the American Board of Genetic Counseling, as defined in s. 448.970 (1).

AB686,13,22 (3) Rule making. Using the procedure under s. 227.24, the genetic counselors affiliated credentialing board may promulgate rules required under s. 448.973, for the period before permanent rules take effect, but not to exceed the period authorized under s. 227.24 (1) (c) and (2). Notwithstanding s. 227.24 (1) (a), (2) (b), and (3), the genetic counselors affiliated credentialing board is not required to provide evidence that promulgating a rule under this subsection as an emergency rule is necessary for the preservation of the public peace, health, safety, or welfare and is not required to provide a finding of emergency for a rule promulgated under this subsection.

AB686,16 Section 16 . Effective dates. This act takes effect on the first day of the 13th month beginning after publication except as follows:

AB686,14,2 (1) The treatment of ss. 15.085 (1m) (b) and 15.406 (7) and Section 15 of this act take effect on the day after publication.

AB686,14,3 (End)