Senate committee backs grants to train genetic counselors, adopts accreditation amendment

A Florida Senate committee reported SB 1376 favorably after members adopted an amendment that requires graduate genetic counseling programs to be accredited and to demonstrate adequate clinical training capacity.

Senator Burgess, who carried the bill, said the measure "seeks to address the shortage of genetic counselors in our state," adding that "today Florida is considered a genetic counselor desert with just a 179 licensed GCs," and argued the education grants would help state universities train clinicians to meet growing demand from genomic medicine.

The adopted amendment, numbered 478,534, requires that graduate-level genetic counseling programs be accredited by the Accreditation Council for Genetic Counseling and that applications include documentation showing sufficient clinical training capacity consistent with national accreditation standards, the sponsor said. The committee adopted the amendment following brief debate and an assent vote called by the chair.

Supporters at the committee emphasized the clinical role of genetic counselors. Senator Berman said she had used a genetic counselor before her first child and "it's really helpful," urging colleagues that more people would take advantage of services if the state had enough counselors.

Senator Burgess closed by thanking colleagues and inviting cosponsors; he credited Rep. Adam Anderson for leading the effort in the House. The clerk called the roll and the committee reported SB 1376 favorably.

What the bill does: The bill would establish an education grant program to support students pursuing genetic counseling careers at Florida state universities and to help the state meet demand in oncology, prenatal care and rare-disease services. The committee-recorded discussion emphasized accreditation and clinical training as conditions for grant eligibility.

The committee did not set final appropriations in this session; the bill was reported favorably and will proceed to the next committee or floor consideration according to Senate procedures.