Public Act 0633 99TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SB2985 Enrolled LRB099 15645 MLM 39938 b

Public Act 099-0633

AN ACT concerning regulation.

Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois, represented in the General Assembly:

Section 5. The Genetic Counselor Licensing Act is amended by changing Sections 10, 20, and 95 as follows:

(225 ILCS 135/10)

(Section scheduled to be repealed on January 1, 2025)

Sec. 10. Definitions. As used in this Act:

"ABGC" means the American Board of Genetic Counseling.

"ABMG" means the American Board of Medical Genetics.

"Active candidate status" is awarded to applicants who have received approval from the ABGC or ABMG to sit for their respective certification examinations.

"Address of record" means the designated address recorded by the Department in the applicant's or licensee's application file or license file as maintained by the Department's licensure maintenance unit. It is the duty of the applicant or licensee to inform the Department of any change of address, and those changes must be made either through the Department's website or by contacting the Department.

"Department" means the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation.

"Genetic anomaly" means a variation in an individual's DNA that has been shown to confer a genetically influenced disease or predisposition to a genetically influenced disease or makes a person a carrier of such variation. A "carrier" of a genetic anomaly means a person who may or may not have a predisposition or risk of incurring a genetically influenced condition and who is at risk of having offspring with a genetically influenced condition.

"Genetic counseling" means the provision of services, which may include the ordering of genetic tests, pursuant to a referral, to individuals, couples, groups, families, and organizations by one or more appropriately trained individuals to address the physical and psychological issues associated with the occurrence or risk of occurrence or recurrence of a genetic disorder, birth defect, disease, or potentially inherited or genetically influenced condition in an individual or a family. "Genetic counseling" consists of the following:

(A) Estimating the likelihood of occurrence or recurrence of a birth defect or of any potentially inherited or genetically influenced condition. This assessment may involve:

(i) obtaining and analyzing a complete health history of the person and his or her family;

(ii) reviewing pertinent medical records;

(iii) evaluating the risks from exposure to possible mutagens or teratogens;

(iv) recommending genetic testing or other evaluations to diagnose a condition or determine the carrier status of one or more family members;

(B) Helping the individual, family, health care provider, or health care professional (i) appreciate the medical, psychological and social implications of a disorder, including its features, variability, usual course and management options, (ii) learn how genetic factors contribute to the disorder and affect the chance for recurrence of the condition in other family members, and (iii) understand available options for coping with, preventing, or reducing the chance of occurrence or recurrence of a condition.

(C) Facilitating an individual's or family's (i) exploration of the perception of risk and burden associated with the disorder and (ii) adjustment and adaptation to the condition or their genetic risk by addressing needs for psychological, social, and medical support.

"Genetic counselor" means a person licensed under this Act to engage in the practice of genetic counseling.

"Genetic testing" and "genetic test" mean a test or analysis of human genes, gene products, DNA, RNA, chromosomes, proteins, or metabolites that detects genotypes, mutations, chromosomal changes, abnormalities, or deficiencies, including carrier status, that (i) are linked to physical or mental disorders or impairments, (ii) indicate a susceptibility to illness, disease, impairment, or other disorders, whether physical or mental, or (iii) demonstrate genetic or chromosomal damage due to environmental factors. "Genetic testing" and "genetic tests" do not include routine physical measurements; chemical, blood and urine analyses that are widely accepted and in use in clinical practice; tests for use of drugs; tests for the presence of the human immunodeficiency virus; analyses of proteins or metabolites that do not detect genotypes, mutations, chromosomal changes, abnormalities, or deficiencies; or analyses of proteins or metabolites that are directly related to a manifested disease, disorder, or pathological condition that could reasonably be detected by a health care professional with appropriate training and expertise in the field of medicine involved.

"Person" means an individual, association, partnership, or corporation.

"Qualified supervisor" means any person who is a licensed genetic counselor, as defined by rule, or a physician licensed to practice medicine in all its branches. A qualified supervisor may be provided at the applicant's place of work, or may be contracted by the applicant to provide supervision. The qualified supervisor shall file written documentation with the Department of employment, discharge, or supervisory control of a genetic counselor at the time of employment, discharge, or assumption of supervision of a genetic counselor.

"Referral" means a written or telecommunicated authorization for genetic counseling services from a physician licensed to practice medicine in all its branches, a licensed advanced practice nurse, or a licensed physician assistant.

"Secretary" means the Secretary of Financial and Professional Regulation.

"Supervision" means review of aspects of genetic counseling and case management in a bimonthly meeting with the person under supervision.

(Source: P.A. 98-813, eff. 1-1-15; 99-173, eff. 7-29-15.)

(225 ILCS 135/20)

(Section scheduled to be repealed on January 1, 2025)

Sec. 20. Restrictions and limitations.

(a) Except as provided in Section 15, no person shall, without a valid license as a genetic counselor issued by the Department (i) in any manner hold himself or herself out to the public as a genetic counselor under this Act; (ii) use in connection with his or her name or place of business the title "genetic counselor", "licensed genetic counselor", "gene counselor", "genetic consultant", or "genetic associate" or any words, letters, abbreviations, or insignia indicating or implying a person has met the qualifications for or has the license issued under this Act; or (iii) offer to render or render to individuals, corporations, or the public genetic counseling services if the words "genetic counselor" or "licensed genetic counselor" are used to describe the person offering to render or rendering them, or "genetic counseling" is used to describe the services rendered or offered to be rendered.

(b) (Blank). No licensed genetic counselor may provide genetic counseling to individuals, couples, groups, or families without a referral from a physician licensed to practice medicine in all its branches, a licensed advanced practice nurse, or a licensed physician assistant. The physician, advanced practice nurse, or physician assistant shall maintain supervision of the patient and be provided timely written reports on the services, including genetic testing results, provided by the licensed genetic counselor. Genetic testing shall be ordered by a physician licensed to practice medicine in all its branches or a genetic counselor pursuant to a referral that gives the specific authority to order genetic tests. Genetic test results and reports shall be provided to the referring physician, advanced practice nurse, or physician assistant. General seminars or talks to groups or organizations on genetic counseling that do not include individual, couple, or family specific counseling may be conducted without a referral. In clinical settings, genetic counselors who serve as a liaison between family members of a patient and a genetic research project, may, with the consent of the patient, provide information to family members for the purpose of gathering additional information, as it relates to the patient, without a referral. In non-clinical settings where no patient is being treated, genetic counselors who serve as a liaison between a genetic research project and participants in that genetic research project may provide information to the participants, without a referral.

(c) No association or partnership shall practice genetic counseling unless every member, partner, and employee of the association or partnership who practices genetic counseling or who renders genetic counseling services holds a valid license issued under this Act. No license shall be issued to a corporation, the stated purpose of which includes or which practices or which holds itself out as available to practice genetic counseling, unless it is organized under the Professional Service Corporation Act.

(d) Nothing in this Act shall be construed as permitting persons licensed as genetic counselors to engage in any manner in the practice of medicine in all its branches as defined by law in this State.

(e) Nothing in this Act shall be construed to authorize a licensed genetic counselor to diagnose, test (unless authorized in a referral), or treat any genetic or other disease or condition.

(f) When, in the course of providing genetic counseling services to any person, a genetic counselor licensed under this Act finds any indication of a disease or condition that in his or her professional judgment requires professional service outside the scope of practice as defined in this Act, he or she shall refer that person to a physician licensed to practice medicine in all of its branches.

(Source: P.A. 98-813, eff. 1-1-15; 99-173, eff. 7-29-15.)

(225 ILCS 135/95)

(Section scheduled to be repealed on January 1, 2025)

Sec. 95. Grounds for discipline.

(a) The Department may refuse to issue, renew, or may revoke, suspend, place on probation, reprimand, or take other disciplinary or non-disciplinary action as the Department deems appropriate, including the issuance of fines not to exceed $10,000 for each violation, with regard to any license for any one or more of the following:

(1) Material misstatement in furnishing information to the Department or to any other State agency.

(2) Violations or negligent or intentional disregard of this Act, or any of its rules.

(3) Conviction by plea of guilty or nolo contendere, finding of guilt, jury verdict, or entry of judgment or sentencing, including, but not limited to, convictions, preceding sentences of supervision, conditional discharge, or first offender probation, under the laws of any jurisdiction of the United States: (i) that is a felony or (ii) that is a misdemeanor, an essential element of which is dishonesty, or that is directly related to the practice of genetic counseling.

(4) Making any misrepresentation for the purpose of obtaining a license, or violating any provision of this Act or its rules.

(5) Negligence in the rendering of genetic counseling services.

(6) Failure to provide genetic testing results and any requested information to a referring physician licensed to practice medicine in all its branches, advanced practice nurse, or physician assistant.

(7) Aiding or assisting another person in violating any provision of this Act or any rules.

(8) Failing to provide information within 60 days in response to a written request made by the Department.

(9) Engaging in dishonorable, unethical, or unprofessional conduct of a character likely to deceive, defraud, or harm the public and violating the rules of professional conduct adopted by the Department.

(10) Failing to maintain the confidentiality of any information received from a client, unless otherwise authorized or required by law.

(10.5) Failure to maintain client records of services provided and provide copies to clients upon request.

(11) Exploiting a client for personal advantage, profit, or interest.

(12) Habitual or excessive use or addiction to alcohol, narcotics, stimulants, or any other chemical agent or drug which results in inability to practice with reasonable skill, judgment, or safety.

(13) Discipline by another governmental agency or unit of government, by any jurisdiction of the United States, or by a foreign nation, if at least one of the grounds for the discipline is the same or substantially equivalent to those set forth in this Section.

(14) Directly or indirectly giving to or receiving from any person, firm, corporation, partnership, or association any fee, commission, rebate, or other form of compensation for any professional service not actually rendered. Nothing in this paragraph (14) affects any bona fide independent contractor or employment arrangements among health care professionals, health facilities, health care providers, or other entities, except as otherwise prohibited by law. Any employment arrangements may include provisions for compensation, health insurance, pension, or other employment benefits for the provision of services within the scope of the licensee's practice under this Act. Nothing in this paragraph (14) shall be construed to require an employment arrangement to receive professional fees for services rendered.

(15) A finding by the Department that the licensee, after having the license placed on probationary status has violated the terms of probation.

(16) Failing to refer a client to other health care professionals when the licensee is unable or unwilling to adequately support or serve the client.

(17) Willfully filing false reports relating to a licensee's practice, including but not limited to false records filed with federal or State agencies or departments.

(18) Willfully failing to report an instance of suspected child abuse or neglect as required by the Abused and Neglected Child Reporting Act.

(19) Being named as a perpetrator in an indicated report by the Department of Children and Family Services pursuant to the Abused and Neglected Child Reporting Act, and upon proof by clear and convincing evidence that the licensee has caused a child to be an abused child or neglected child as defined in the Abused and Neglected Child Reporting Act.

(20) Physical or mental disability, including deterioration through the aging process or loss of abilities and skills which results in the inability to practice the profession with reasonable judgment, skill, or safety.

(21) Solicitation of professional services by using false or misleading advertising.

(22) Failure to file a return, or to pay the tax, penalty of interest shown in a filed return, or to pay any final assessment of tax, penalty or interest, as required by any tax Act administered by the Illinois Department of Revenue or any successor agency or the Internal Revenue Service or any successor agency.

(23) Fraud or making any misrepresentation in applying for or procuring a license under this Act or in connection with applying for renewal of a license under this Act.

(24) Practicing or attempting to practice under a name other than the full name as shown on the license or any other legally authorized name.

(25) Gross overcharging for professional services, including filing statements for collection of fees or monies for which services are not rendered.

(26) (Blank). Providing genetic counseling services to individuals, couples, groups, or families without a referral from either a physician licensed to practice medicine in all its branches, a licensed advanced practice nurse, or a licensed physician assistant.

(27) Charging for professional services not rendered, including filing false statements for the collection of fees for which services are not rendered.

(28) Allowing one's license under this Act to be used by an unlicensed person in violation of this Act.

(b) The Department shall deny, without hearing, any application or renewal for a license under this Act to any person who has defaulted on an educational loan guaranteed by the Illinois State Assistance Commission; however, the Department may issue a license or renewal if the person in default has established a satisfactory repayment record as determined by the Illinois Student Assistance Commission.

(c) The determination by a court that a licensee is subject to involuntary admission or judicial admission as provided in the Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities Code will result in an automatic suspension of his or her license. The suspension will end upon a finding by a court that the licensee is no longer subject to involuntary admission or judicial admission, the issuance of an order so finding and discharging the patient, and the determination of the Secretary that the licensee be allowed to resume professional practice.

(d) The Department may refuse to issue or renew or may suspend without hearing the license of any person who fails to file a return, to pay the tax penalty or interest shown in a filed return, or to pay any final assessment of the tax, penalty, or interest as required by any Act regarding the payment of taxes administered by the Illinois Department of Revenue until the requirements of the Act are satisfied in accordance with subsection (g) of Section 2105-15 of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois.

(e) In cases where the Department of Healthcare and Family Services has previously determined that a licensee or a potential licensee is more than 30 days delinquent in the payment of child support and has subsequently certified the delinquency to the Department, the Department may refuse to issue or renew or may revoke or suspend that person's license or may take other disciplinary action against that person based solely upon the certification of delinquency made by the Department of Healthcare and Family Services in accordance with item (5) of subsection (a) of Section 2105-15 of the Department of Professional Regulation Law of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois.

(f) All fines or costs imposed under this Section shall be paid within 60 days after the effective date of the order imposing the fine or costs or in accordance with the terms set forth in the order imposing the fine.

(Source: P.A. 98-813, eff. 1-1-15; 99-173, eff. 7-29-15.)

Effective Date: 1/1/2017