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
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," further providing for definitions and
for genetic counselor.
The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
hereby enacts as follows:
Section 1. Section 2 of the act of December 20, 1985
(P.L.457, No.112), known as the Medical Practice Act of 1985, is
amended by adding a definition to read:
Section 2. Definitions.
The following words and phrases when used in this act shall
have the meanings given to them in this section unless the
context clearly indicates otherwise:
* * *
"Genetic test." Any of the following:
(1) The analysis of deoxyribonucleic acid to identify
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
changes in gene sequence or expression levels.
(2) The analysis of ribonucleic acid to determine gene
expression.
(3) Biochemical tests for the presence of gene products.
(4) Microscopic analysis of chromosomes.
* * *
Section 2. Section 13.4(c)(1)(iii) and (viii) and (3) of the
act are amended to read:
Section 13.4. Genetic counselor.
* * *
(c) Scope of practice.--
(1) A genetic counselor may provide genetic counseling
to clients, which includes:
* * *
(iii) Identify, order and coordinate genetic
[laboratory] tests [and other diagnostic studies] as
appropriate for the genetic assessment.
* * *
(viii) Provide written documentation of medical,
genetic and counseling information for families,
referring providers and other appropriate health care
professionals and maintain the documentation in the
client's medical records.
* * *
(3) Nothing in this subsection shall be construed to
authorize a genetic counselor to diagnose, [test] manage or
treat any genetic disease or condition or other disease or
condition.
* * *
Section 3. This act shall take effect in 60 days.
20250SB0536PN0528 - 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