S_HHS_2019A 02/21/2019 02:08:58 PM Committee Summary

Moe Keller, Mental Health Colorado, testified in support of the bill.

Evan Silverman, representing himself, testified in support of the bill and distributed a handout ( (Attachment A).

The witness panel responded to questions.

Jennifer Hill, representing herself, testified in support of the bill.

Dr. Lacey Berumen, National Alliance for Mental Illness, testified in support of the bill. Dr. Berumen responded to questions.

Jonathan Cardwell, Colorado Bar Association, testified in support of the bill.

The witness panel responded to questions.

Committee questions continued.

Ms. Keller returned to the table to responded to questions.

Senator Todd discussed amendments L.011 and L.012 (Attachments B and C).

Senator Fields recessed the meeting.

Senator Fields reconvened the meeting.

Senator Todd made closing comments.

Committee members commented on the bill.

Senators Ginal and Todd, bill sponsors, presented Senate Bill 19-133. This bill requires that all genetic counselors in Colorado be licensed by the Division of Professions and Occupations in the Department of Regulatory Agencies (DORA) by June 1, 2020. The bill sets forth the requirements for licensure, including that applicants be certified by certain national organizations, unless the applicant meets the criteria for a provisional license while obtaining the national certification. The bill also sets forth application and renewal processes, the scope of practice for genetic counselors, rulemaking authority, disciplinary procedures, and other provisions related to the establishment of the licensure program. Only licensed individuals may use the title of "genetic counselor" and other related titles. The licensure program is repealed on September 1, 2026, following a sunset review. The bill creates new misdemeanor offenses for practicing genetic counseling without a license (class 2 misdemeanor for a first offense; class 1 misdemeanor for second and subsequent offenses).

Karen McGovern, Colorado Department of Regulatory Agencies, testified against the bill and responded to questions.

Senator Todd responded to questions from the committee. Committee discussion followed.

Discussion and questions continued.

Carol Walton, representing Colorado Genetic Counselors Network and Children's Hospital - Colorado, testified in support of the bill.

Lisa Ku, University of Colorado Hospital and Colorado Genetic Counselors Network, testified in support of the bill.

The witness panel responded to questions.

Dr. Mark Lovell, Children's Hospital - Colorado, testified in support of the bill.

Dr. Anasheh Afghahi, University of Colorado Hospital, testified in support of the bill.

Dr. Taj Katpurram, Colorado Radiological Society and Colorado Medical Society, testified in support of the bill.

Mariah Green, representing herself, testified in support of the bill.

Maria Ostling, representing herself, testified in support of the bill.

Mary Freiguol, National Society of Genetic Counselors, testified in support of the bill.

Amendment L.001 was distributed to the committee (Attachment D).

Senators Todd and Ginal made closing comments.