Registration and Regulation Committee

Adopted in House Comm. on May 11, 2005

 

 


 

 


 
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1
AMENDMENT TO SENATE BILL 2012

2     AMENDMENT NO. ______. Amend Senate Bill 2012 by replacing
3 everything after the enacting clause with the following:
 
4     "Section 5. The Genetic Counselor Licensing Act is amended
5 by changing Sections 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 40, 50, 55, 60, 65,
6 75, 85, 95, and 180 and by adding Section 73 as follows:
 
7     (225 ILCS 135/10)
8     (Section scheduled to be repealed on January 1, 2015)
9     Sec. 10. Definitions. As used in this Act:
10     "ABGC" means the American Board of Genetic Counseling.
11     "ABMG" means the American Board of Medical Genetics.
12     "Active candidate status" is awarded to applicants who have
13 received approval from the ABGC or ABMG to sit for their
14 respective certification examinations.
15     "Department" means the Department of Professional
16 Regulation.
17     "Director" means the Director of Professional Regulation.
18     "Genetic anomaly" means a variation in an individual's DNA
19 that has been shown to confer a genetically influenced disease
20 or predisposition to a genetically influenced disease or makes
21 a person a carrier of such variation. A "carrier" of a genetic
22 anomaly means a person who may or may not have a predisposition
23 or risk of incurring a genetically influenced condition and who
24 is at risk of having offspring with a genetically influenced

 

 

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1 condition.
2     "Genetic counseling" means the provision of services,
3 pursuant to a referral, to individuals, couples, groups,
4 families, and organizations by one or more appropriately
5 trained individuals to address the physical and psychological
6 issues associated with the occurrence or risk of occurrence or
7 recurrence of a genetic disorder, birth defect, disease, or
8 potentially inherited or genetically influenced condition in
9 an individual or a family. "Genetic counseling" consists of the
10 following:
11         (A) Estimating the likelihood of occurrence or
12     recurrence of a birth defect or of any potentially
13     inherited or genetically influenced condition. This
14     assessment may involve:
15             (i) obtaining and analyzing a complete health
16         history of the person and his or her family;
17             (ii) reviewing pertinent medical records;
18             (iii) evaluating the risks from exposure to
19         possible mutagens or teratogens;
20             (iv) recommending genetic testing or other
21         evaluations to diagnose a condition or determine the
22         carrier status of one or more family members;
23         (B) Helping the individual, family, health care
24     provider, or health care professional (i) appreciate the
25     medical, psychological and social implications of a
26     disorder, including its features, variability, usual
27     course and management options, (ii) learn how genetic
28     factors contribute to the disorder and affect the chance
29     for recurrence of the condition in other family members,
30     and (iii) understand available options for coping with,
31     preventing, or reducing the chance of occurrence or
32     recurrence of a condition.
33         (C) Facilitating an individual's or family's (i)
34     exploration of the perception of risk and burden associated

 

 

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1     with the disorder and (ii) adjustment and adaptation to the
2     condition or their genetic risk by addressing needs for
3     psychological, social, and medical support.
4     "Genetic counselor" means a person licensed under this Act
5 to engage in the practice of genetic counseling.
6     "Person" means an individual, association, partnership, or
7 corporation.
8     "Qualified supervisor" means any person who is a licensed
9 genetic counselor, as defined by rule, or a physician licensed
10 to practice medicine in all its branches. A qualified
11 supervisor may be provided at the applicant's place of work, or
12 may be contracted by the applicant to provide supervision. The
13 qualified supervisor shall file written documentation with to
14 the Department of employment, discharge, or supervisory
15 control of a genetic counselor at the time of employment,
16 discharge, or assumption of supervision of a genetic counselor.
17     "Referral" means a written or telecommunicated
18 authorization for genetic counseling services from a physician
19 licensed to practice medicine in all its branches, an advanced
20 practice nurse who has a collaborative agreement with a
21 collaborating physician that authorizes referrals to a genetic
22 counselor, or a physician assistant who has been delegated
23 authority to make referrals to genetic counselors.
24     "Supervision" means review of aspects of genetic
25 counseling and case management in a bimonthly meeting with the
26 person under supervision.
27 (Source: P.A. 93-1041, eff. 9-29-04.)
 
28     (225 ILCS 135/15)
29     (Section scheduled to be repealed on January 1, 2015)
30     Sec. 15. Exemptions.
31     (a) This Act does not prohibit any persons legally
32 regulated in this State by any other Act from engaging in the
33 practice for which they are authorized as long as they do not

 

 

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1 represent themselves by the title of "genetic counselor" or
2 "licensed genetic counselor". This Act does not prohibit the
3 practice of nonregulated professions whose practitioners are
4 engaged in the delivery of human services as long as these
5 practitioners do not represent themselves as or use the title
6 of "genetic counselor" or "licensed genetic counselor".
7     (b) Nothing in this Act shall be construed to limit the
8 activities and services of (i) a student, intern, resident, or
9 fellow in genetic counseling or genetics seeking to fulfill
10 educational requirements in order to qualify for a license
11 under this Act if these activities and services constitute a
12 part of the student's supervised course of study or (ii) an
13 individual seeking to fulfill the post-degree experience
14 requirements in order to qualify for licensing under this Act,
15 as long as the activities and services are supervised by a
16 qualified supervisor. A student, intern, resident, or fellow
17 must be designated by the title "intern", "resident", "fellow",
18 or any other designation of trainee status. Nothing contained
19 in this subsection shall be construed to permit students,
20 interns, residents, or fellows to offer their services as
21 genetic counselors or geneticists to any other person and to
22 accept remuneration for such genetic counseling services,
23 except as specifically provided in this subsection or
24 subsection (c).
25     (c) Corporations, partnerships, and associations may
26 employ students, interns, or post-degree candidates seeking to
27 fulfill educational requirements or the professional
28 experience requirements needed to qualify for a license under
29 this Act if their activities and services constitute a part of
30 the student's supervised course of study or post-degree
31 professional experience requirements. Nothing in this
32 subsection shall prohibit a corporation, partnership, or
33 association from contracting with a licensed health care
34 professional to provide services that they are licensed to

 

 

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1 provide.
2     (d) Nothing in this Act shall prevent the employment, by a
3 genetic counselor, person, association, partnership, or
4 corporation furnishing genetic counseling services for
5 remuneration, of persons not licensed as genetic counselors
6 under this Act to perform services in various capacities as
7 needed, if these persons are not in any manner held out to the
8 public or do not hold themselves out to the public by any title
9 or designation stating or implying that they are genetic
10 counselors.
11     (e) Nothing in this Act shall be construed to limit the
12 services of a person, not licensed under the provisions of this
13 Act, in the employ of a federal, State, county, or municipal
14 agency or other political subdivision or not-for-profit
15 corporation providing human services if (i) the services are a
16 part of the duties in his or her salaried position, (ii) the
17 services are performed solely on behalf of his or her employer,
18 and (iii) that person does not in any manner represent himself
19 or herself as or use the title of "genetic counselor" or
20 "licensed genetic counselor".
21     (f) Duly recognized members of any religious organization
22 shall not be restricted from functioning in their ministerial
23 capacity provided they do not represent themselves as being
24 genetic counselors or as providing genetic counseling.
25     (g) Nothing in this Act shall be construed to require or
26 prohibit any hospital, clinic, home health agency, hospice, or
27 other entity that provides health care to employ or to contract
28 with a person licensed under this Act to provide genetic
29 counseling services.
30     (h) Nothing in this Act shall be construed to prevent any
31 licensed social worker, licensed clinical social worker,
32 licensed clinical psychologist, licensed professional
33 counselor, or licensed clinical professional counselor from
34 practicing professional counseling as long as that person is

 

 

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1 not in any manner held out to the public as a "genetic
2 counselor" or "licensed genetic counselor" or does not hold out
3 his or her services as being genetic counseling.
4     (i) Nothing in this Act shall be construed to limit the
5 practice of a person not licensed under this Act who is a
6 physician licensed to practice medicine in all of its branches
7 under the Medical Practice Act of 1987 or intern, fellow, or
8 resident from using the title "genetic counselor" or any other
9 title tending to indicate they are a genetic counselor.
10     (j) Nothing in the Act shall prohibit a visiting ABGC or
11 ABMG certified genetic counselor from outside the State working
12 as a consultant, or organizations from outside the State
13 employing ABGC or ABMG certified genetic counselors providing
14 occasional services, who are not licensed under this Act, from
15 engaging in the practice of genetic counseling subject to the
16 stated circumstances and limitations defined by rule.
17 (Source: P.A. 93-1041, eff. 9-29-04.)
 
18     (225 ILCS 135/20)
19     (Section scheduled to be repealed on January 1, 2015)
20     Sec. 20. Restrictions and limitations.
21     (a) Beginning 12 months after the adoption of the final
22 administrative rules on January 1, 2006, except as provided in
23 Section 15, no person shall, without a valid license as a
24 genetic counselor issued by the Department (i) in any manner
25 hold himself or herself out to the public as a genetic
26 counselor under this Act; (ii) use in connection with his or
27 her name or place of business the title "genetic counselor",
28 "licensed genetic counselor", "gene counselor", "genetic
29 consultant", or "genetic associate" or any words, letters,
30 abbreviations, or insignia indicating or implying a person has
31 met the qualifications for or has the license issued under this
32 Act; or (iii) offer to render or render to individuals,
33 corporations, or the public genetic counseling services if the

 

 

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1 words "genetic counselor" or "licensed genetic counselor" are
2 used to describe the person offering to render or rendering
3 them, or "genetic counseling" is used to describe the services
4 rendered or offered to be rendered.
5     (b) Beginning 12 months after the adoption of the final
6 administrative rules on January 1, 2006, no licensed genetic
7 counselor may provide genetic counseling to individuals,
8 couples, groups, or families without a written referral from a
9 physician licensed to practice medicine in all its branches, an
10 advanced practice nurse who has a collaborative agreement with
11 a collaborating physician that authorizes referrals to a
12 genetic counselor, or a physician assistant who has been
13 delegated authority to make referrals to genetic counselors.
14 The physician, advanced practice nurse, or physician assistant
15 shall maintain supervision of the patient and be provided
16 written reports on the services provided by the licensed
17 genetic counselor. Genetic testing shall be ordered by a
18 physician licensed to practice medicine in all its branches.
19 Genetic test reports shall be provided to the referring
20 physician, advanced practice nurse, or physician assistant.
21 General seminars or talks to groups or organizations on genetic
22 counseling that do not include individual, couple, or family
23 specific counseling may be conducted without a referral. In
24 clinical settings, genetic counselors who serve as a liaison
25 between family members of a patient and a genetic research
26 project, may, with the consent of the patient, provide
27 information to family members for the purpose of gathering
28 additional information, as it relates to the patient, without a
29 referral. In non-clinical settings where no patient is being
30 treated, genetic counselors who serve as a liaison between a
31 genetic research project and participants in that genetic
32 research project may provide genetic counseling services to the
33 participants, without a referral.
34     (c) Beginning 12 months after the adoption of the final

 

 

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1 administrative rules on January 1, 2006, no association or
2 partnership shall practice genetic counseling unless every
3 member, partner, and employee of the association or partnership
4 who practices genetic counseling or who renders genetic
5 counseling services holds a valid license issued under this
6 Act. No license shall be issued to a corporation, the stated
7 purpose of which includes or which practices or which holds
8 itself out as available to practice genetic counseling, unless
9 it is organized under the Professional Service Corporation Act.
10     (d) Nothing in this Act shall be construed as permitting
11 persons licensed as genetic counselors to engage in any manner
12 in the practice of medicine in all its branches as defined by
13 law in this State.
14     (e) Nothing in this Act shall be construed to authorize a
15 licensed genetic counselor to diagnose, test, or treat any
16 genetic or other disease or condition.
17     (f) When, in the course of providing genetic counseling
18 services to any person, a genetic counselor licensed under this
19 Act finds any indication of a disease or condition that in his
20 or her professional judgment requires professional service
21 outside the scope of practice as defined in this Act, he or she
22 shall refer that person to a physician licensed to practice
23 medicine in all of its branches.
24 (Source: P.A. 93-1041, eff. 9-29-04.)
 
25     (225 ILCS 135/25)
26     (Section scheduled to be repealed on January 1, 2015)
27     Sec. 25. Unlicensed practice; violation; civil penalty.
28     (a) Beginning 12 months after the adoption of the final
29 administrative rules on January 1, 2006, any person who
30 practices, offers to practice, attempts to practice, or holds
31 himself or herself out to practice as a genetic counselor
32 without being licensed or exempt under this Act shall, in
33 addition to any other penalty provided by law, pay a civil

 

 

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1 penalty to the Department in an amount not to exceed $5,000 for
2 each offense, as determined by the Department. Civil penalty
3 shall be assessed by the Department after a hearing is held in
4 accordance with the provisions set forth in this Act regarding
5 the provision of a hearing for the discipline of a licensee.
6     (b) The Department may investigate any actual, alleged, or
7 suspected unlicensed activity.
8     (c) The civil penalty shall be paid within 60 days after
9 the effective date of the order imposing the civil penalty. The
10 order shall constitute a final judgment and may be filed and
11 execution had thereon in the same manner as any judgment from
12 any court of record.
13 (Source: P.A. 93-1041, eff. 9-29-04.)
 
14     (225 ILCS 135/30)
15     (Section scheduled to be repealed on January 1, 2015)
16     Sec. 30. Powers and duties of the Department. Subject to
17 the provisions of this Act, the Department may:
18     (a) authorize examinations to ascertain the qualifications
19 and fitness of applicants for licensing as genetic counselors
20 and pass upon the qualifications of applicants for licensure by
21 endorsement;
22     (b) conduct hearings on proceedings to refuse to issue or
23 renew or to revoke licenses or suspend, place on probation,
24 censure, or reprimand persons licensed under this Act, and to
25 refuse to issue or renew or to revoke licenses, or suspend,
26 place on probation, censure, or reprimand persons licensed
27 under this Act;
28     (c) adopt rules necessary for the administration of this
29 Act; and
30     (d) maintain rosters of the names and addresses of all
31 licensees and all persons whose licenses have been suspended,
32 revoked, or denied renewal for cause within the previous
33 calendar year. These rosters shall be available upon written

 

 

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1 request and payment of the required fee.
2 (Source: P.A. 93-1041, eff. 9-29-04.)
 
3     (225 ILCS 135/40)
4     (Section scheduled to be repealed on January 1, 2015)
5     Sec. 40. Application for original license. Applications
6 for original licenses shall be made to the Department on forms
7 prescribed by the Department and accompanied by the required
8 fee, which is not refundable. All applications shall contain
9 such information that, in the judgment of the Department, will
10 enable the Department to pass on the qualifications of the
11 applicant for a license to practice as a genetic counselor.
12     If an applicant fails to obtain a license under this Act
13 within 3 years after filing his or her application, the
14 application shall be denied. The applicant may make a new
15 application, which shall be accompanied by the required
16 nonrefundable fee. The applicant shall be required to meet the
17 qualifications required for licensure at the time of
18 reapplication.
19 (Source: P.A. 93-1041, eff. 9-29-04.)
 
20     (225 ILCS 135/50)
21     (Section scheduled to be repealed on January 1, 2015)
22     Sec. 50. Examination; failure or refusal to take
23 examination.
24     (a) Applicants for genetic counseling licensure must
25 provide evidence that they have successfully completed the
26 certification examination provided by the ABGC or ABMG, if they
27 are master's degree trained genetic counselors, or the ABMG, if
28 they are PhD trained medical geneticists; or successfully
29 completed the examination provided by the successor agencies of
30 the ABGC or ABMG. The examinations shall be of a character to
31 fairly test the competence and qualifications of the applicants
32 to practice genetic counseling.

 

 

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1      (b) (Blank). If an applicant neglects, fails, or refuses
2 to take an examination or fails to pass an examination for a
3 license under this Act within 2 exam cycles after receiving a
4 temporary license, the application will be denied. However,
5 such applicant may thereafter make a new application for
6 license only if the applicant provides documentation of passing
7 the certification examination offered through the ABGC or ABMG
8 or their successor agencies and satisfies the requirements then
9 in existence for a license.
10 (Source: P.A. 93-1041, eff. 9-29-04.)
 
11     (225 ILCS 135/55)
12     (Section scheduled to be repealed on January 1, 2015)
13     Sec. 55. Qualifications for licensure. A person shall be
14 qualified for licensure as a genetic counselor and the
15 Department may shall issue a license if that person:
16         (1) has applied in writing in form and substance
17     satisfactory to the Department; is at least 21 years of
18     age;
19         (2) has not engaged in conduct or activities which
20     would constitute grounds for discipline under this Act;
21         (3) (i) has successfully completed a Master's degree in
22     genetic counseling from an ABGC or ABMG accredited training
23     program or an equivalent program approved by the ABGC or
24     the ABMG or (ii) is a physician licensed to practice
25     medicine in all its branches or (iii) has a doctoral degree
26     and has successfully completed an ABMG accredited medical
27     genetics training program or an equivalent program
28     approved by the ABMG has not violated any of the provisions
29     of Sections 20 or 25 of this Act or the rules promulgated
30     thereunder. The Department may take into consideration any
31     felony conviction of the applicant but such conviction
32     shall not operate as an absolute bar to licensure;
33         (4) has successfully completed an examination provided

 

 

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1     by the ABGC or its successor, the ABMG or its successor, or
2     a substantially equivalent examination approved by the
3     Department; provided documentation of the successful
4     completion of the certification examination and current
5     certification provided by the American Board of Genetic
6     Counseling or the American Board of Medical Genetics, or
7     their successor agencies; and
8         (5) has paid the fees required by rule; this Act.
9         (6) has met the requirements for certification set
10     forth by the ABGC or its successor or the ABMG or its
11     successor; and
12         (7) has met any other requirements established by rule.
13 (Source: P.A. 93-1041, eff. 9-29-04.)
 
14     (225 ILCS 135/60)
15     (Section scheduled to be repealed on January 1, 2015)
16     Sec. 60. Temporary licensure. A temporary license may be
17 issued to an individual who has made application to the
18 Department, has submitted evidence to the Department of
19 admission to the certifying examination administered by the
20 ABGC or the ABMG or either of its successor agencies, has met
21 all of the requirements for licensure in accordance with
22 Section 55 of this Act, except the examination requirement of
23 item (4) of Section 55 of this Act, and has met any other
24 condition established by rule. The holder of a temporary
25 license shall practice only under the supervision of a
26 qualified supervisor.
27     (a) A person shall be qualified for temporary licensure as
28 a genetic counselor and the Department shall issue a temporary
29 license if that person:
30         (1) has successfully completed a Master's degree in
31     genetic counseling from an ABGC or ABMG accredited training
32     program or its equivalent as established by the ABGC or is
33     a physician or has a doctoral degree and has successfully

 

 

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1     completed an ABMG accredited medical genetics training
2     program or its equivalent as established by the ABMG;
3         (2) has submitted evidence to the Department of active
4     candidate status for the certifying examination
5     administered by the ABGC or the ABMG or their successor
6     agencies; and
7         (3) has made application to the Department and paid the
8     required fees.
9     (b) A temporary license shall allow the applicant to
10 practice under the supervision of a qualified supervisor until
11 he or she receives certification from the ABGC or the ABMG or
12 their successor agencies or 2 exam cycles have elapsed,
13 whichever comes first.
14     (c) Under no circumstances shall an applicant continue to
15 practice on the temporary license for more than 30 days after
16 notification that he or she has not passed the examination
17 within 2 exam cycles after receiving the temporary license.
18 However, the applicant may thereafter make a new application to
19 the Department for a license satisfying the requirements then
20 in existence for a license.
21 (Source: P.A. 93-1041, eff. 9-29-04.)
 
22     (225 ILCS 135/65)
23     (Section scheduled to be repealed on January 1, 2015)
24     Sec. 65. Licenses; renewal; restoration; person in
25 military service; inactive status.
26     (a) The expiration date and renewal period for each license
27 issued under this Act shall be set by rule. As a condition of
28 renewal of a license, a licensee must complete continuing
29 education requirements established by rule of the Department
30 The licensee may renew a license during the 30-day period
31 preceding its expiration date by paying the required fee and
32 demonstrating compliance with continuing education
33 requirements established by rule.

 

 

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1     (b) Any person who has permitted a license to expire or who
2 has a license on inactive status may have it restored by
3 submitting an application to the Department and filing proof of
4 fitness, as defined by rule, to have the license restored,
5 including, if appropriate, evidence which is satisfactory to
6 the Department certifying the active practice of genetic
7 counseling in another jurisdiction, and by paying the required
8 fee.
9     (c) If the person has not maintained an active practice in
10 another jurisdiction that is satisfactory to the Department,
11 the Department shall determine the person's fitness to resume
12 active status. The Department may also require the person to
13 complete a specific period of evaluated genetic counseling work
14 experience under the supervision of a qualified clinical
15 supervisor and may require demonstration of completion of
16 continuing education requirements.
17     (d) Any person whose license expired while on active duty
18 with the armed forces of the United States, while called into
19 service or training with the State Militia, or while in
20 training or education under the supervision of the United
21 States government prior to induction into military service may
22 have his license restored without paying any renewal fees if,
23 within 2 years after the termination of such service, training,
24 or education, except under conditions other than honorable, the
25 Department is furnished with satisfactory evidence that the
26 person has been so engaged and that such service, training, or
27 education has been so terminated.
28     (e) A license to practice shall not be denied any applicant
29 because of the applicant's race, religion, creed, national
30 origin, political beliefs or activities, age, sex, or physical
31 impairment.
32 (Source: P.A. 93-1041, eff. 9-29-04.)
 
33     (225 ILCS 135/73 new)

 

 

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1     (Section scheduled to be repealed on January 1, 2015)
2     Sec. 73. Inactive status. A person who notifies the
3 Department in writing on forms prescribed by the Department may
4 elect to place his or her license on inactive status and shall,
5 subject to rule of the Department, be excused from payment of
6 renewal fees until he or she notifies the Department, in
7 writing, of his or her desire to resume active status.
8     A person requesting restoration from inactive status shall
9 be required to pay the current renewal fee and shall be
10 required to restore his or her license, pursuant to Section 65
11 of this Act.
12     Practice by an individual whose license is on inactive
13 status shall be considered to be the unlicensed practice of
14 genetic counseling and shall be grounds for discipline under
15 this Act.
 
16     (225 ILCS 135/75)
17     (Section scheduled to be repealed on January 1, 2015)
18     Sec. 75. Fees; deposit of fees. The Department shall, by
19 rule, establish a schedule of fees for the administration and
20 enforcement of this Act. These fees shall be nonrefundable.
21     All of the fees and fines collected under this Act shall be
22 deposited into the General Professions Dedicated Fund. The
23 moneys deposited into the General Professions Dedicated Fund
24 shall be used by the Department, as appropriate, for the
25 ordinary and contingent expenses of the Department. Moneys in
26 the General Professions Dedicated Fund may be invested and
27 reinvested, with all earnings received from these investments
28 being deposited into that Fund and used for the same purposes
29 as the fees and fines deposited in that Fund.
30 The fees imposed under this Act shall be set by rule and are
31 not refundable. All of the fees collected under this Act shall
32 be deposited into the General Professions Dedicated Fund.
33 (Source: P.A. 93-1041, eff. 9-29-04.)
 

 

 

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1     (225 ILCS 135/85)
2     (Section scheduled to be repealed on January 1, 2015)
3     Sec. 85. Endorsement. The Department may issue a license as
4 a genetic counselor, without administering the required
5 examination, to an applicant currently licensed under the laws
6 of another state, a U.S. territory, or another country if the
7 requirements for licensure in that state, U.S. territory, or
8 country are, on the date of licensure, substantially equal to
9 the requirements of this Act or to a person who, at the time of
10 his or her application for licensure, possesses individual
11 qualifications that are substantially equivalent to the
12 requirements of this Act. An applicant under this Section shall
13 pay all of the required fees.
14     An applicant shall have 3 years from the date of
15 application to complete the application process. If the process
16 has not been completed within the 3-year time period, the
17 application shall be denied, the fee shall be forfeited, and
18 the applicant shall be required to reapply and meet the
19 requirements in effect at the time of reapplication or United
20 States jurisdiction whose standards, in the opinion of the
21 Department, were substantially equivalent at the date of his or
22 her licensure in the other jurisdiction to the requirements of
23 this Act. Such an applicant shall pay all of the required fees.
24 Applicants have 6 months from the date of application to
25 complete the application process. If the process has not been
26 completed within 6 months, the application shall be denied, the
27 fee forfeited, and the applicant must reapply and meet the
28 requirements in effect at the time of reapplication.
29 (Source: P.A. 93-1041, eff. 9-29-04.)
 
30     (225 ILCS 135/95)
31     (Section scheduled to be repealed on January 1, 2015)
32     Sec. 95. Grounds for discipline.

 

 

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1     (a) The Department may refuse to issue, renew, or may
2 revoke, suspend, place on probation, reprimand, or take other
3 disciplinary action as the Department deems appropriate,
4 including the issuance of fines not to exceed $1,000 for each
5 violation, with regard to any license for any one or more of
6 the following:
7         (1) Material misstatement in furnishing information to
8     the Department or to any other State agency.
9         (2) Violations or negligent or intentional disregard
10     of this Act, or any of its rules.
11         (3) Conviction of any crime under the laws of the
12     United States or any state or territory thereof that is a
13     felony, a misdemeanor, an essential element of which is
14     dishonesty, or a crime that is directly related to the
15     practice of the profession.
16         (4) Making any misrepresentation for the purpose of
17     obtaining a license, or violating any provision of this Act
18     or its rules.
19         (5) Professional incompetence or gross negligence in
20     the rendering of genetic counseling services.
21         (6) Gross or repeated negligence.
22         (7) Aiding or assisting another person in violating any
23     provision of this Act or any rules.
24         (8) Failing to provide information within 60 days in
25     response to a written request made by the Department.
26         (9) Engaging in dishonorable, unethical, or
27     unprofessional conduct of a character likely to deceive,
28     defraud, or harm the public and violating the rules of
29     professional conduct adopted by the Department.
30         (10) Failing to maintain the confidentiality of any
31     information received from a client, unless otherwise
32     authorized or required by law.
33         (11) Exploiting a client for personal advantage,
34     profit, or interest.

 

 

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1         (12) Habitual or excessive use or addiction to alcohol,
2     narcotics, stimulants, or any other chemical agent or drug
3     which results in inability to practice with reasonable
4     skill, judgment, or safety.
5         (13) Discipline by another jurisdiction, if at least
6     one of the grounds for the discipline is the same or
7     substantially equivalent to those set forth in this
8     Section.
9         (14) Directly or indirectly giving to or receiving from
10     any person, firm, corporation, partnership, or association
11     any fee, commission, rebate, or other form of compensation
12     for any professional service not actually rendered.
13         (15) A finding by the Department that the licensee,
14     after having the license placed on probationary status has
15     violated the terms of probation.
16         (16) Failing to refer a client to other health care
17     professionals when the licensee is unable or unwilling to
18     adequately support or serve the client.
19         (17) Willfully filing false reports relating to a
20     licensee's practice, including but not limited to false
21     records filed with federal or State agencies or
22     departments.
23         (18) Willfully failing to report an instance of
24     suspected child abuse or neglect as required by the Abused
25     and Neglected Child Reporting Act.
26         (19) Being named as a perpetrator in an indicated
27     report by the Department of Children and Family Services
28     pursuant to the Abused and Neglected Child Reporting Act,
29     and upon proof by clear and convincing evidence that the
30     licensee has caused a child to be an abused child or
31     neglected child as defined in the Abused and Neglected
32     Child Reporting Act.
33         (20) Physical or mental disability, including
34     deterioration through the aging process or loss of

 

 

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1     abilities and skills which results in the inability to
2     practice the profession with reasonable judgment, skill,
3     or safety.
4         (21) Solicitation of professional services by using
5     false or misleading advertising.
6         (22) Failure to file a return, or to pay the tax,
7     penalty of interest shown in a filed return, or to pay any
8     final assessment of tax, penalty or interest, as required
9     by any tax Act administered by the Illinois Department of
10     Revenue or any successor agency or the Internal Revenue
11     Service or any successor agency.
12         (23) A finding that licensure has been applied for or
13     obtained by fraudulent means.
14         (24) Practicing or attempting to practice under a name
15     other than the full name as shown on the license or any
16     other legally authorized name.
17         (25) Gross overcharging for professional services,
18     including filing statements for collection of fees or
19     monies for which services are not rendered.
20         (26) Providing genetic counseling services to
21     individuals, couples, groups, or families without a
22     referral from either a physician licensed to practice
23     medicine in all its branches, an advanced practice nurse
24     who has a collaborative agreement with a collaborating
25     physician that authorizes the advanced practice nurse to
26     make referrals to a genetic counselor, or a physician
27     assistant who has been delegated authority to make
28     referrals to genetic counselors.
29     (b) The Department shall deny, without hearing, any
30 application or renewal for a license under this Act to any
31 person who has defaulted on an educational loan guaranteed by
32 the Illinois State Assistance Commission; however, the
33 Department may issue a license or renewal if the person in
34 default has established a satisfactory repayment record as

 

 

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1 determined by the Illinois Student Assistance Commission.
2     (c) The determination by a court that a licensee is subject
3 to involuntary admission or judicial admission as provided in
4 the Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities Code will
5 result in an automatic suspension of his or her license. The
6 suspension will end upon a finding by a court that the licensee
7 is no longer subject to involuntary admission or judicial
8 admission, the issuance of an order so finding and discharging
9 the patient, and the determination of the Director that the
10 licensee be allowed to resume professional practice.
11 (Source: P.A. 93-1041, eff. 9-29-04.)
 
12     (225 ILCS 135/180)
13     (Section scheduled to be repealed on January 1, 2015)
14     Sec. 180. Administrative Procedure Act; application. The
15 Illinois Administrative Procedure Act is hereby expressly
16 adopted and incorporated in this Act as if all of the
17 provisions of such Act were included in this Act, except that
18 the provision of paragraph (d) of the Section 10-65 of the
19 Illinois Administrative Procedure Act, which provides that at
20 hearings the license holder has the right to show compliance
21 with all lawful requirements for retention, continuation, or
22 renewal of the certificate, is specifically excluded. For the
23 purpose of this Act the notice required under Section 10-25 of
24 the Illinois Administrative Procedure Act is deemed sufficient
25 when mailed to the last known address of a party.
26 (Source: P.A. 93-1041, eff. 9-29-04.)
 
27     (225 ILCS 135/70 rep.)
28     Section 90. The Genetic Counselor Licensing Act is amended
29 by repealing Section 70.".