Subcommittee backs bill to fund genetic counseling education amid statewide shortage

The Higher Education Budget Subcommittee on Thursday reported CS for House Bill 1115 favorably after a brief presentation and no debate.

Representative Anderson, who introduced the bill, said the measure would create an education grant program to support students pursuing careers in genetic medicine and to help state universities expand training. "Members, genetic counselors are highly trained health care professionals who have very specialized education in the field of medical genetics," Anderson said, and added that counselors play a "critical role in improving comprehensive patient care." Representative Anderson said, "Today, Florida is considered a genetic counseling desert with just 179 licensed genetic counselors residing in the state."

The bill’s sponsor told members the grant program is meant to address what she described as a workforce shortage by supporting students and university programs that prepare genetic counselors. There were no amendments and no committee questions after the presentation. One appearance card was filed in support: George Levesque, representing Laboratory Corporation of America, registered support and waived oral testimony.

With debate closed, staff called the roll and the subcommittee chair announced CS for HB 1115 "reported favorably." The transcript records the committee moving the bill forward; the roll call in committee reflected affirmative responses from the members present. The motion’s mover, second, and individual vote-by-name were not specified in the transcript.

The bill will proceed to the next step in the legislative process as reported by the subcommittee; no further committee actions were recorded during this meeting.