Alaska 34th Alaska State Legislature Status: In Committee 1 D cosponsors

HB 293 — An Act relating to the practice of genetic counseling; relating to the licensure of genetic counselors; establishing the Genetic Counseling Advisory Council; relating to the duties of the State Medical Board; relating to telehealth by licensed genetic counselors; relating to medical malpractice liability of licensed genetic counselors; relating to immunity from civil liability for a licensed genetic counselor providing free health care services; and prohibiting unfair discrimination under group health insurance against genetic counselors.

Last action — (H) REFERRED TO FINANCE

  1. ✓
    Introduced
  2. 2
    In Committee
  3. 3
    Passed House
  4. 4
    Passed Senate
  5. 5
    To Executive
  6. 6
    Enacted

This bill is in committee in the House. Introduced February 04, 2026. It must pass committee before a floor vote.

Next likely step: a committee vote, then a floor vote in the House.

Odds of enactment

Low chance

Based on the sponsor, cosponsors, and committee posture, this bill has a low chance of becoming law.

Upgrade to see the exact probability and what's driving it.

A statistical estimate from our own model of past outcomes — an insight, not a guarantee. Policymaking is volatile.

Prognosis

Stalled 16% · moderate confidence

  • In Committee

    Current position in the legislative process.

  • 1 sponsor

    1 primary, 0 co-sponsors signed on.

  • Single-party support

    Sponsorship is currently within one party (1 D).

Based on stage, sponsorship breadth, committee status, recorded votes, and cross-state momentum — a description of the observable signals, not a prediction.

Bill Text

What changed in the latest version

337 added · 309 removed

Plain-language change summary

The amendments to HB 293 clarify the qualifications required for individuals to obtain a license to practice genetic counseling. A new condition now states that applicants must not have unresolved disciplinary issues related to their practice or criminal background that could affect their competence or patient safety. Additionally, the updated text now allows for further qualifications to be established by the licensing board through regulation. This change is important as it strengthens the standards for genetic counselors, ensuring that only qualified individuals can provide this essential service, thereby better protecting patients.

→
Previous
Latest
34-LS1222\N CS FOR HOUSE BILL NO.
34-LS1222\A HOUSE BILL NO.
293(L&C) IN THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF ALASKA THIRTY-FOURTH LEGISLATURE - SECOND SESSION BY THE HOUSE LABOR AND COMMERCE COMMITTEE Referred:
293 IN THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF ALASKA THIRTY-FOURTH LEGISLATURE - SECOND SESSION BY REPRESENTATIVE FIELDS Introduced:
Finance Sponsor(s):
2/4/26 Referred:
REPRESENTATIVE FIELDS A BILL FOR AN ACT ENTITLED "An Act relating to the practice of genetic counseling;
Labor and Commerce, Health and Social Services A BILL FOR AN ACT ENTITLED "An Act relating to the practice of genetic counseling;
(a) An acupuncturist licensed under AS 08.06, an audiologist or speech- language pathologist licensed under AS 08.11, a behavior analyst licensed under AS 08.15, a person licensed in the state as a chiropractor under AS 08.20, a professional or associate counselor licensed under AS 08.29, a dentist under AS 08.36, HB0293b -1- CSHB 293(L&C) New Text Underlined [DELETED TEXT BRACKETED] 34-LS1222\N a dietitian or nutritionist licensed under AS 08.38, a genetic counselor licensed under AS 08.53, a massage therapist licensed under AS 08.61, a marital and family therapist licensed under AS 08.63, a medical practitioner or osteopath under AS 08.64, a direct-entry midwife certified under AS 08.65, a registered or advanced practice registered nurse under AS 08.68, an optometrist under AS 08.72, a licensed pharmacist under AS 08.80, a physical therapist or occupational therapist licensed under AS 08.84, a psychologist under AS 08.86, or a clinical social worker licensed under AS 08.95, shall use as professional identification appropriate letters or a title after that person's name that represents the person's specific field of practice.
(a) An acupuncturist licensed under AS 08.06, an audiologist or speech- language pathologist licensed under AS 08.11, a behavior analyst licensed under AS 08.15, a person licensed in the state as a chiropractor under AS 08.20, a professional or associate counselor licensed under AS 08.29, a dentist under AS 08.36, HB0293a -1- HB 293 New Text Underlined [DELETED TEXT BRACKETED] 34-LS1222\A a dietitian or nutritionist licensed under AS 08.38, a genetic counselor licensed under AS 08.53, a massage therapist licensed under AS 08.61, a marital and family therapist licensed under AS 08.63, a medical practitioner or osteopath under AS 08.64, a direct-entry midwife certified under AS 08.65, a registered or advanced practice registered nurse under AS 08.68, an optometrist under AS 08.72, a licensed pharmacist under AS 08.80, a physical therapist or occupational therapist licensed under AS 08.84, a psychologist under AS 08.86, or a clinical social worker licensed under AS 08.95, shall use as professional identification appropriate letters or a title after that person's name that represents the person's specific field of practice.
a physical CSHB 293(L&C) -2- HB0293b New Text Underlined [DELETED TEXT BRACKETED] 34-LS1222\N therapist or occupational therapist licensed under AS 08.84;
a physical HB 293 -2- HB0293a New Text Underlined [DELETED TEXT BRACKETED] 34-LS1222\A therapist or occupational therapist licensed under AS 08.84;
The board shall issue a license to practice genetic counseling to an applicant who (1) pays the required fees and applies on a form prescribed by the board;
(a) The board shall issue a license to practice genetic counseling to an applicant who (1) pays the required fees and applies on a form prescribed by the board;
and HB0293b -3- CSHB 293(L&C) New Text Underlined [DELETED TEXT BRACKETED] 34-LS1222\N (2) provides evidence satisfactory to the board that the applicant (A) has successfully completed a certification program in genetic counseling or medical genetics that, at the time of graduation, is accredited by a nationally recognized certifying organization for genetic counseling or medical genetics and approved by the board in regulation;
and HB0293a -3- HB 293 New Text Underlined [DELETED TEXT BRACKETED] 34-LS1222\A (2) provides evidence satisfactory to the board that the applicant (A) has successfully completed a certification program in genetic counseling or medical genetics that, at the time of graduation, is accredited by a nationally recognized certifying organization for genetic counseling or medical genetics and approved by the board in regulation;
and (D) is not the subject of an unresolved or adverse decision based on a complaint, investigation, review procedure, or other disciplinary proceeding undertaken by a state, territorial, local, or federal genetic counseling licensing jurisdiction or law enforcement agency that relates to criminal or fraudulent activity, genetic counseling malpractice, or negligent genetic counseling and that adversely reflects on the applicant's ability or competence to practice as a genetic counselor or on the safety or well-being of a patient or client.
(D) is not the subject of an unresolved or adverse decision based on a complaint, investigation, review procedure, or other disciplinary proceeding undertaken by a state, territorial, local, or federal genetic counseling licensing jurisdiction or law enforcement agency that relates to criminal or fraudulent activity, genetic counseling malpractice, or negligent genetic counseling and that adversely reflects on the applicant's ability or competence to practice as a genetic counselor or on the safety or well-being of a patient or client;
and (E) meets other qualifications for a license to practice genetic counseling established by the board by regulation.
(b) The board shall issue a license to practice genetic counseling to an applicant who does not qualify for licensure under (a)(2)(A) or (a)(2)(B) of this section if the applicant (1) meets the qualifications prescribed in (a)(1) and (a)(2)(C) - (E) of this section;
(2) submits a letter of recommendation from three individuals who have worked with the applicant in an employment setting within the previous 10 years and can attest to the applicant's competency in providing genetic counseling services;
at least one letter of recommendation must be from a genetic counselor who qualifies for licensure under (a) of this section, and at least one letter of recommendation must HB 293 -4- HB0293a New Text Underlined [DELETED TEXT BRACKETED] 34-LS1222\A be from either a certified clinical geneticist or a certified medical geneticist;
in this paragraph, "certified clinical geneticist" or "certified medical geneticist" means a medical doctor certified by a nationally recognized certifying organization for genetic counseling or medical genetics approved by the board in regulation, to be competent in diagnosing, managing, and counseling patients, clients, and families about genetic conditions;
(3) provides evidence satisfactory to the board that the applicant (A) has worked as a genetic counselor for at least 10 years before the effective date of this Act;
(B) has a master's degree or higher in genetics or related field of study as determined by the board in regulation;
(C) has earned continuing education units in genetic counseling within the last five years from a program by a nationally recognized certifying organization for genetic counseling or medical genetics approved by the board in regulation;
and (D) has never failed a certified genetic counselor examination provided by a nationally recognized certifying organization for genetic counseling or medical genetics.
The board shall issue a temporary license to practice genetic counseling for up to one year to an applicant who meets the requirements of AS 08.53.110(1), (2)(A), (2)(C), and (2)(D), and has met the requirement to take the examination required under AS 08.53.110(2)(B), but has either not taken the examination or has not received examination results.
The board shall issue a temporary license to practice genetic counseling for up to one year to an applicant who meets the requirements of AS 08.53.110(a)(1), (a)(2)(A), and (a)(2)(C) - (E), and has met the requirement to take the examination required under AS 08.53.110(a)(2)(B), but has either not taken the examination or has not received examination results.
A genetic counselor working under a temporary license who fails the examination may renew the temporary license for up to one year by submitting an application to the board that has been signed by the licensed genetic counselor or physician supervising the applicant.
The board may issue a license to practice genetic counseling to an applicant who pays the required fees and provides satisfactory evidence to the board that the applicant holds an equivalent valid license CSHB 293(L&C) -4- HB0293b New Text Underlined [DELETED TEXT BRACKETED] 34-LS1222\N issued by another state, territory, or jurisdiction of the United States.
The board may issue a license to HB0293a -5- HB 293 New Text Underlined [DELETED TEXT BRACKETED] 34-LS1222\A practice genetic counseling to an applicant who pays the required fees and provides satisfactory evidence to the board that the applicant holds an equivalent valid license issued by another state, territory, or jurisdiction of the United States.
and (2) are performed under the direct supervision of a licensed genetic counselor who is assigned to supervise the student.
and HB 293 -6- HB0293a New Text Underlined [DELETED TEXT BRACKETED] 34-LS1222\A (2) are performed under the direct supervision of a licensed genetic counselor who is assigned to supervise the student.
HB0293b -5- CSHB 293(L&C) New Text Underlined [DELETED TEXT BRACKETED] 34-LS1222\N (b) In this section, "direct supervision" means supervision that is on-site or available by visual or real-time electronic means through which a supervising licensed genetic counselor guides the genetic counseling intern while the genetic counseling intern performs a clinical activity;
(b) In this section, "direct supervision" means supervision that is on-site or available by visual or real-time electronic means through which a supervising licensed genetic counselor guides the genetic counseling intern while the genetic counseling intern performs a clinical activity;
and (8) provide written clinical documentation of medical, genetic, and counseling information to patients, clients, families, and health care professionals.
and HB0293a -7- HB 293 New Text Underlined [DELETED TEXT BRACKETED] 34-LS1222\A (8) provide written clinical documentation of medical, genetic, and counseling information to patients, clients, families, and health care professionals.
CSHB 293(L&C) -6- HB0293b New Text Underlined [DELETED TEXT BRACKETED] 34-LS1222\N Sec.
Sec.
(2) be associated by legal contract with a member of the occupation that the board regulates except as a consumer of the services provided by a practitioner of the occupation;
(2) be associated by legal contract with a member of the occupation that the board regulates except as a consumer of the services provided by a practitioner HB 293 -8- HB0293a New Text Underlined [DELETED TEXT BRACKETED] 34-LS1222\A of the occupation;
or (3) have a direct financial interest in the occupation that the board HB0293b -7- CSHB 293(L&C) New Text Underlined [DELETED TEXT BRACKETED] 34-LS1222\N regulates.
or (3) have a direct financial interest in the occupation that the board regulates.
(g) Members of the council are not entitled to per diem and travel expenses authorized for boards and commissions under AS 39.20.180.
(g) Members of the council are entitled to per diem and travel expenses authorized for boards and commissions under AS 39.20.180.
(3) licensed in another state or jurisdiction who is teaching or demonstrating clinical techniques at a meeting, seminar, or limited course of CSHB 293(L&C) -8- HB0293b New Text Underlined [DELETED TEXT BRACKETED] 34-LS1222\N instruction sponsored by a genetic counseling society or association or by an accredited genetic counseling or medical genetics educational institution;
HB0293a -9- HB 293 New Text Underlined [DELETED TEXT BRACKETED] 34-LS1222\A (3) licensed in another state or jurisdiction who is teaching or demonstrating clinical techniques at a meeting, seminar, or limited course of instruction sponsored by a genetic counseling society or association or by an accredited genetic counseling or medical genetics educational institution;
* Sec.
HB 293 -10- HB0293a New Text Underlined [DELETED TEXT BRACKETED] 34-LS1222\A * Sec.
(a) The board shall HB0293b -9- CSHB 293(L&C) New Text Underlined [DELETED TEXT BRACKETED] 34-LS1222\N (1) except as provided in regulations adopted by the board under (b) of this section, examine and issue licenses to applicants;
(a) The board shall (1) except as provided in regulations adopted by the board under (b) of this section, examine and issue licenses to applicants;
The investigator shall (1) conduct investigations into alleged violations of this chapter, violations of AS 08.53, and into alleged violations of regulations and orders of the board;
The investigator shall (1) conduct investigations into alleged violations of this chapter, violations of AS 08.53, and into alleged violations of regulations and orders of the HB0293a -11- HB 293 New Text Underlined [DELETED TEXT BRACKETED] 34-LS1222\A board;
(2) at the request of the board, conduct investigations based on CSHB 293(L&C) -10- HB0293b New Text Underlined [DELETED TEXT BRACKETED] 34-LS1222\N complaints filed with the department or with the board;
(2) at the request of the board, conduct investigations based on complaints filed with the department or with the board;
an ambulatory surgical facility and other organizations whose primary purpose is the delivery of health care, including a health maintenance organization, individual practice association, integrated delivery system, preferred provider organization or arrangement, and a physical hospital organization;
an ambulatory surgical facility and other organizations whose primary purpose is the delivery of health care, including a health maintenance organization, individual practice association, integrated delivery system, preferred provider HB 293 -12- HB0293a New Text Underlined [DELETED TEXT BRACKETED] 34-LS1222\A organization or arrangement, and a physical hospital organization;
HB0293b -11- CSHB 293(L&C) New Text Underlined [DELETED TEXT BRACKETED] 34-LS1222\N (1) "health care provider" means a physician, physician assistant, dentist, dental hygienist, osteopath, optometrist, chiropractor, registered nurse, practical nurse, advanced practice registered nurse, naturopath, physical therapist, occupational therapist, marital and family therapist, psychologist, psychological associate, behavior analyst, assistant behavior analyst, licensed clinical social worker, athletic trainer, certified direct-entry midwife, genetic counselor, licensed professional counselor, or licensed associate counselor;
(1) "health care provider" means a physician, physician assistant, dentist, dental hygienist, osteopath, optometrist, chiropractor, registered nurse, practical nurse, advanced practice registered nurse, naturopath, physical therapist, occupational therapist, marital and family therapist, psychologist, psychological associate, behavior analyst, assistant behavior analyst, licensed clinical social worker, athletic trainer, certified direct-entry midwife, genetic counselor, licensed professional counselor, or licensed associate counselor;
TRANSITION:
HB0293a -13- HB 293 New Text Underlined [DELETED TEXT BRACKETED] 34-LS1222\A TRANSITION:
(a) The State Medical Board shall appoint the initial members of the CSHB 293(L&C) -12- HB0293b New Text Underlined [DELETED TEXT BRACKETED] 34-LS1222\N Genetic Counseling Advisory Council established in sec.
The State Medical Board shall appoint the initial members of the Genetic Counseling Advisory Council established in sec.
(b) Notwithstanding AS 08.53.180(b), enacted by sec.
HB 293 -14- HB0293a New Text Underlined [DELETED TEXT BRACKETED]
4 of this Act, a person who is engaged in the practice of genetic counseling on the day before the effective date of this Act may be appointed by the State Medical Board as an initial member of the Genetic Counseling Advisory Council without a license issued under AS 08.53 by the State Medical Board.
A person appointed under this subsection may only continue to serve on the Genetic Counseling Advisory Council after July 1, 2027, if the person obtains a license issued under AS 08.53 by the State Medical Board on or before July 1, 2027.
Show all 41 changed rows (1 more)
Previous
Latest
HB0293b -13- CSHB 293(L&C) New Text Underlined [DELETED TEXT BRACKETED]
⬇ Download PDF
View plain text versions (2)

Action History

  1. (H) REFERRED TO FINANCE

  2. (H) FIN REPLACES HSS REFERRAL

  3. (H) FN1: (CED)

  4. (H) NR: COULOMBE, CARRICK, D.NELSON

  5. (H) DNP: SADDLER

  6. (H) DP: FRIER, HALL, FIELDS

  7. (H) L&C RPT CS(L&C) 3DP 1DNP 3NR

  8. (H) Moved CSHB 293(L&C) Out of Committee

  9. (H) LABOR & COMMERCE at 03:15 PM BARNES 124

  10. (H) -- MEETING CANCELED --

  11. (H) LABOR & COMMERCE at 03:15 PM BARNES 124

  12. (H) Minutes (HL&C)

  13. (H) Heard & Held -- Please Note Time Change --

  14. (H) LABOR & COMMERCE at 04:15 PM BARNES 124

  15. (H) Minutes (HL&C)

  16. (H) Scheduled but Not Heard -- Delayed to 15 minutes Following Session --

  17. (H) LABOR & COMMERCE at 03:15 PM BARNES 124

  18. (H) Minutes (HL&C)

  19. (H) Heard & Held

  20. (H) LABOR & COMMERCE at 03:15 PM BARNES 124

  21. (H) Minutes (HL&C)

  22. (H) L&C, HSS

  23. (H) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS

Sponsors

Sponsorship breakdown

Export CSV (upgrade) →

1 sponsors · 0 co-sponsors · 64 not signed on

Sponsors (1)

Co-sponsors (0)

None.

Not signed on (64)

64 members have not signed on to this bill.

Show all 64 →

"Not signed on" means a member has not sponsored or co-sponsored this bill — it does not imply opposition. Members flagged Voted No have a recorded No vote on this bill.

Whip count is in markup. Polling the chamber and every recorded vote this session. Only the first open is slow. It’s instant for you after this. Calling the roll · Tallying · Engrossing

Subjects

healthcare labor health-insurance technology
Cross-referencing the record. Reading this bill against every other bill in the corpus by meaning, not keywords. Only the first open is slow. It’s instant for you after this. Matching · Ranking · Engrossing

Frequently asked questions

Who sponsors HB 293?
HB 293 is sponsored by Zack Fields (D).
What is the current status of HB 293?
This bill is in committee in the House. Introduced February 04, 2026. It must pass committee before a floor vote.
Where can I track HB 293?
Track HB 293 free on One Click Politics — get push/email alerts when it moves.

Make your voice heard on HB 293

Find the representatives who decide this bill and tell them where you stand — for yourself, or mobilize your whole list in one click with One Click Politics advocacy software.

Find my representatives → Run a campaign

Stay ahead of HB 293

Last checked for changes 3 months ago · updated continuously

One Click Politics tracks every bill in Congress and all 50 states.

Track this bill →