North Carolina HB 697: The Prison Resources Repurposing Act.

Bill Text

GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF NORTH CAROLINA
SESSION 2025
H 1
HOUSE BILL 697

Short Title: NC Genetic Counselors Workforce Act. (Public)
Sponsors: Representatives Potts, Reeder, Campbell, and Cervania (Primary Sponsors).
For a complete list of sponsors, refer to the North Carolina General Assembly web site.
Referred to: Health, if favorable, Regulatory Reform, if favorable, Finance, if favorable, Rules,
Calendar, and Operations of the House
April 3, 2025
*H697-v-1*
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED 1
AN ACT TO ESTABLISH THE GENETIC COUNSELORS LICENSURE BOARD AND TO 2
REGULATE THE PRACTICE OF GENETIC COUNSELING. 3
The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts: 4
SECTION 1. Chapter 90 of the General Statutes is amended by adding a new Article 5
to read: 6
"Article 44. 7
"Genetic Counselor Licensure. 8
"§ 90-750. Definitions. 9
The following definitions apply in this Article: 10
(1) ABGC. – The American Board of Genetic Counseling, its successor or 11
equivalent. 12
(2) ACGC. – Accreditation Council for Genetic Counseling. 13
(3) ACS. – Active Candidate Status conferred by the American Board of Genetic 14
Counseling. 15
(4) Active Candidate Status. – A person who has met the requirements established 16
by the ABGC to take the ABGC certification examinations in general genetics 17
and genetic counseling and has been granted this designation by ABGC. 18
(5) Board. – The Genetic Counselors Licensing Board. 19
(6) CEU. – The Continuing Education Unit as defined by the NSGC. 20
(7) Department. – The Department of Health and Human Services. 21
(8) Examination. – The ABGC certification exam. 22
(9) Genetic counseling. – The provision of services by an individual who qualifies 23
for a license under this Article and provides services to individuals located in 24
the State. 25
(10) Genetic counseling intern. – A student enrolled in a genetic counseling 26
program accredited by ACGC. 27
(11) Genetic counselor. – An individual who is licensed under this Article to 28
engage in the competent practice of genetic counseling. 29
(12) Genetic testing. – An analysis of human DNA, RNA, chromosomes, proteins, 30
or metabolites, if the analysis detects genotypes, mutations, or chromosomal 31
changes, so long as the selection of tests and laboratories by the genetic 32
counselor conforms to the acceptable and prevailing standards of care and 33
ethics of the practice of genetic counseling as determined by the Board. 34

General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2025
Page 2 House Bill 697-First Edition
(13) NSGC. – The National Society of Genetic Counselors, its successor or 1
equivalent. 2
(14) Qualified supervisor. – Any person who is a licensed genetic counselor or a 3
physician licensed to practice medicine under Article 1 of this Chapter. 4
(15) Reciprocity. – The issuance of a license by the Board to an individual who has 5
been granted a license under the laws of another state, territory, or jurisdiction 6
of the United States that currently imposes substantially similar licensure 7
requirements as those imposed by this Article. 8
(16) Referral. – A written or telecommunicated authorization for genetic 9
counseling services from a physician licensed to practice medicine in all its 10
branches, an advanced practice nurse who has a collaborative agreement with 11
a physician that authorizes referrals to a genetic counselor, or a physician 12
assistant who has been delegated authority to make referrals to genetic 13
counselors. 14
(17) Supervisee. – A genetic counselor with a temporary license. 15
(18) Supervision. – A qualified supervisor who has the overall responsibility to 16
assess the work of the supervisee, including regular meetings and chart 17
review; provided that an annual supervision contract signed by the qualified 18
supervisor and supervisee be on file with both parties. The qualified 19
supervisor's presence is not required during the performance of the service. 20
(19) Temporary license. – A license to practice genetic counseling in accordance 21
with this Article. 22
"§ 90-751. Genetic Counselors Licensure Board. 23
(a) Establishment. – The Genetic Counselors Licensure Board is established. The Board 24
shall consist of five members who shall serve staggered terms. The initial Board shall be selected 25
as follows: 26
(1) One member, who is a licensed genetic counselor, shall be appointed by the 27
General Assembly, upon the recommendation of the Speaker of the House of 28
Representatives, to serve a three-year term. 29
(2) One member, who is a licensed genetic counselor, shall be appointed by the 30
General Assembly, upon the recommendation of the President Pro Tempore 31
of the Senate, to serve a three-year term. 32
(3) The Governor shall appoint the following three members: 33
a. One licensed genetic counselor to serve a three-year term. 34
b. One licensed physician to serve a three-year term. 35
c. One public member to serve a three-year term. 36
(b) Appointment. – Upon the expiration of the terms of the initial Board members