SB 536 — An Act amending the act of December 20, 1985 (P.L.457, No.112), known as the Medical Practice Act of 1985, further providing for definitions and for genetic counselor.

PRINTER'S NO.   528

                     THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA



                        SENATE BILL
                        No. 536
                                               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 December 20, 1985 (P.L.457, No.112),
 2      entitled "An act relating to the right to practice medicine
 3      and surgery and the right to practice medically related acts;
 4      reestablishing the State Board of Medical Education and
 5      Licensure as the State Board of Medicine and providing for
 6      its composition, powers and duties; providing for the
 7      issuance of licenses and certificates and the suspension and
 8      revocation of licenses and certificates; provided penalties;
 9      and making repeals," further providing for definitions and
10      for genetic counselor.
11      The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
12   hereby enacts as follows:
13      Section 1.    Section 2 of the act of December 20, 1985
14   (P.L.457, No.112), known as the Medical Practice Act of 1985, is
15   amended by adding a definition to read:
16   Section 2.   Definitions.
17      The following words and phrases when used in this act shall
18   have the meanings given to them in this section unless the
19   context clearly indicates otherwise:
20      * * *
21      "Genetic test."    Any of the following:
22          (1)   The analysis of deoxyribonucleic acid to identify
 1      changes in gene sequence or expression levels.
 2            (2)     The analysis of ribonucleic acid to determine gene
 3      expression.
 4            (3)     Biochemical tests for the presence of gene products.
 5            (4)     Microscopic analysis of chromosomes.
 6      * * *
 7      Section 2.      Section 13.4(c)(1)(iii) and (viii) and (3) of the
 8   act are amended to read:
 9   Section 13.4.      Genetic counselor.
10      * * *
11      (c)   Scope of practice.--
12            (1)   A genetic counselor may provide genetic counseling
13      to clients, which includes:
14                  * * *
15                  (iii)    Identify, order and coordinate genetic
16            [laboratory] tests [and other diagnostic studies] as
17            appropriate for the genetic assessment.
18                  * * *
19                  (viii)   Provide written documentation of medical,
20            genetic and counseling information for families,
21            referring providers and other appropriate health care
22            professionals and maintain the documentation in the
23            client's medical records.
24            * * *
25            (3)     Nothing in this subsection shall be construed to
26      authorize a genetic counselor to diagnose, [test] manage or
27      treat any genetic disease or condition or other disease or
28      condition.
29      * * *
30      Section 3.      This act shall take effect in 60 days.

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