SB 535 — An Act amending the act of October 5, 1978 (P.L.1109, No.261), known as the Osteopathic Medical Practice Act, further providing for definitions and for genetic counselor.

PRINTER'S NO.   527

                     THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA



                        SENATE BILL
                        No. 535
                                               Session of
                                                 2025

     INTRODUCED BY BOSCOLA, APRIL 2, 2025

     REFERRED TO CONSUMER PROTECTION AND PROFESSIONAL LICENSURE,
        APRIL 2, 2025


                                    AN ACT
 1   Amending the act of October 5, 1978 (P.L.1109, No.261), entitled
 2      "An act requiring the licensing of practitioners of
 3      osteopathic medicine and surgery; regulating their practice;
 4      providing for certain funds and penalties for violations and
 5      repeals," further providing for definitions and for genetic
 6      counselor.
 7      The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
 8   hereby enacts as follows:
 9      Section 1.    Section 2 of the act of October 5, 1978
10   (P.L.1109, No.261), known as the Osteopathic Medical Practice
11   Act, is amended by adding a definition to read:
12   Section 2.   Definitions.
13      The following words and phrases when used in this act shall
14   have, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise, the
15   meanings given to them in this section:
16      * * *
17      "Genetic test."    Any of the following:
18          (1)   The analysis of deoxyribonucleic acid to identify
19      changes in gene sequence or expression levels.
20          (2)   The analysis of ribonucleic acid to determine gene
 1      expression.
 2            (3)     Biochemical tests for the presence of gene products.
 3            (4)     Microscopic analysis of chromosomes.
 4      * * *
 5      Section 2.      Section 10.3(c)(1)(iii) and (viii) and (3) of the
 6   act are amended to read:
 7   Section 10.3.      Genetic counselor.
 8      * * *
 9      (c)   Scope of practice.--
10            (1)   A genetic counselor may provide genetic counseling
11      to clients, which includes:
12                  * * *
13                  (iii)    Identify, order and coordinate genetic
14            [laboratory] tests [and other diagnostic studies] as
15            appropriate for the genetic assessment.
16                  * * *
17                  (viii)   Provide written documentation of medical,
18            genetic and counseling information for families,
19            referring providers and other appropriate health care
20            professionals and maintain the documentation in the
21            client's medical records.
22            * * *
23            (3)     Nothing in this subsection shall be construed to
24      authorize a genetic counselor to diagnose, [test] manage or
25      treat any genetic disease or condition or other disease or
26      condition.
27      * * *
28      Section 3.      This act shall take effect in 60 days.




20250SB0535PN0527                       - 2 -