PRINTER'S NO. 320
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
SENATE BILL
No.
340
Session of
2019
INTRODUCED BY KILLION, PHILLIPS-HILL, SCHWANK AND STEFANO,
FEBRUARY 26, 2019
REFERRED TO CONSUMER PROTECTION AND PROFESSIONAL LICENSURE,
FEBRUARY 26, 2019
AN ACT
Amending the act of December 20, 1985 (P.L.457, No.112),
entitled "An act relating to the right to practice medicine
and surgery and the right to practice medically related acts;
reestablishing the State Board of Medical Education and
Licensure as the State Board of Medicine and providing for
its composition, powers and duties; providing for the
issuance of licenses and certificates and the suspension and
revocation of licenses and certificates; provided penalties;
and making repeals," amending the title of the act; and
further providing for genetic counselor.
The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
hereby enacts as follows:
Section 1. The title of the act of December 20, 1985
(P.L.457, No.112), known as the Medical Practice Act of 1985, is
amended to read:
AN ACT
Relating to the right to practice medicine and surgery and the
right to practice medically related acts; reestablishing the
State Board of Medical Education and Licensure as the State
Board of Medicine and providing for its composition, powers
and duties; providing for the issuance of licenses and
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
certificates and the suspension and revocation of licenses
and certificates; [provided] providing for penalties; and
making repeals.
Section 2. Section 13.4(c) of the act is amended to read:
Section 13.4. Genetic counselor.
* * *
(c) Scope of practice.--
(1) A genetic counselor may provide genetic counseling
to clients, which includes:
(i) Obtain and evaluate individual and family
medical histories to determine genetic risk for genetic
or medical conditions and diseases in a patient and other
family members.
(ii) Discuss the features, natural history, means of
diagnosis, genetic and environmental factors and
management of risk for the genetic or medical conditions
and diseases.
(iii) Identify, order and coordinate genetic
laboratory tests and other diagnostic studies as
appropriate for the genetic assessment.
(iv) Integrate the genetic laboratory test results
and other diagnostic studies with personal and family
medical history to assess and communicate risk factors
for genetic or medical conditions and diseases.
(v) Explain the clinical implications of genetic
laboratory tests and other diagnostic studies and their
results.
(vi) Evaluate the client's or family's responses to
the condition or risk of the recurrence and provide
client-centered counseling.
20190SB0340PN0320 - 2 -
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
(vii) Identify and utilize community resources that
provide medical, educational, financial and psychosocial
support and advocacy.
(viii) Provide written documentation of medical,
genetic and counseling information for families and
health care professionals.
(2) When in the course of providing genetic counseling
services to a client, if a genetic counselor finds any
indication of a disease or condition that requires diagnosis
and treatment outside the scope of practice defined in this
section, the genetic counselor shall refer the client to a
licensed physician or appropriate health care practitioner.
(3) Nothing in this subsection shall be construed to
authorize a genetic counselor to diagnose[, test] or treat
any genetic disease or condition or other disease or
condition.
* * *
Section 3. This act shall take effect in 60 days.
20190SB0340PN0320 - 3 -
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18