North Carolina 2025 Session Status: Passed House Bipartisan · 2 R · 2 D cosponsors

HB 697 — NC Genetic Counselors Workforce Act.

Last action — Special Message Sent To Senate

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

This bill has passed the House. Introduced April 02, 2025. It now moves to the second chamber.

Next likely step: consideration and a floor vote in the Senate.

Prognosis

Likely to advance 74% · high confidence

Where this bill stands today.

Odds of enactment

Moderate

How often bills like it became law.

  • Passed House

    Current position in the legislative process.

  • 6 sponsors

    3 primary, 3 co-sponsors signed on.

  • Bipartisan support

    Sponsored across 2 parties (2 R · 2 D) — cross-party backing.

  • Cleared a recorded vote

    Passed 1 recorded vote so far.

Prognosis reads this bill's own signals — stage, sponsorship breadth, committee status, recorded votes and cross-state momentum. Odds come from a model trained on which bills have become law.

Bill Text

What changed in the latest version

193 added · 191 removed

Plain-language change summary

In the latest version of House Bill 697, a specific reference to physician assistants being able to make referrals to genetic counselors was removed. This change is significant because it limits the pool of healthcare professionals who can authorize patients to access genetic counseling services, potentially impacting patient care options in North Carolina. By narrowing the referral authority, the bill might streamline the process for genetic counseling, but it could also restrict access for some patients who rely on physician assistants for their healthcare needs.

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GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF NORTH CAROLINA H.B.
GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF NORTH CAROLINA SESSION 2025 H 1 HOUSE BILL 697 Short Title:
697 Apr 2, 2025 SESSION 2025 HOUSE PRINCIPAL CLERK H D HOUSE BILL DRH10342-NBf-87 Short Title:
Representative Potts.
Representatives Potts, Reeder, Campbell, and Cervania (Primary Sponsors).
For a complete list of sponsors, refer to the North Carolina General Assembly web site.
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED AN ACT TO ESTABLISH THE GENETIC COUNSELORS LICENSURE BOARD AND TO REGULATE THE PRACTICE OF GENETIC COUNSELING.
Health, if favorable, RegulatoryReform, if favorable, Finance, if favorable, Rules, Calendar, and Operations of the House April 3, 2025 A BILL TO BE ENTITLED AN ACT TO ESTABLISH THE GENETIC COUNSELORS LICENSURE BOARD AND TO REGULATE THE PRACTICE OF GENETIC COUNSELING.
Chapter 90 of the General Statutes is amended by adding a new Article to read:
Chapter 90 of the General Statutes is amended byadding a new Article to read:
(4) ActiveCandidateStatus.– Apersonwhohas mettherequirements established by the ABGC to take the ABGC certification examinations in general genetics and genetic counseling and has been granted this designation by ABGC.
(4) ActiveCandidateStatus.– Apersonwhohas mettherequirements established bythe ABGC to take the ABGC certification examinations in general genetics and genetic counseling and has been granted this designation by ABGC.
–Theprovision ofservices byanindividual whoqualifies for a license under this Article and provides services to individuals located in the State.
–Theprovision ofservices byanindividualwhoqualifies for a license under this Article and provides services to individuals located in the State.
(13) NSGC.
*H697-v-1* General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2025 (13) NSGC.
*DRH10342-NBf-87* General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2025 (14) Qualified supervisor.
(14) Qualified supervisor.
– The issuance of a license by the Board to an individual who has been granted a license under the laws of another state, territory, or jurisdiction of the United States that currently imposes substantially similar licensure requirements as those imposed by this Article.
– The issuance of a license bythe Board to an individual who has been granted a license under the laws of another state, territory, or jurisdiction of the United States that currently imposes substantially similar licensure requirements as those imposed by this Article.
(2) Fails to attend three successive Board meetings without just cause as determined by the remainder of the Board.
Page 2 House Bill 697-First Edition General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2025 (2) Fails to attend three successive Board meetings without just cause as determined by the remainder of the Board.
Page 2 DRH10342-NBf-87 General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2025 (3) Is found by the remainder of the Board to be in violation of the provisions of this Article or to have engaged in immoral, dishonorable, unprofessional, or unethical conduct, and the conduct is deemed to compromise the integrity of the Board.
(3) Is found by the remainder of the Board to be in violation of the provisions of this Article or to have engaged in immoral, dishonorable, unprofessional, or unethical conduct, and the conduct is deemed to compromise the integrity of the Board.
(b) OnJune30ofeachyear,theBoardshallsubmitareporttotheGovernoroftheBoard's activities since the preceding July 1, including (i) the names of all licensed genetic counselors to whom licenses have been granted under this Article, (ii) any cases heard and decisions rendered in matters before the Board, (iii) the recommendations of the Board as to future actions and policies, and (iv) a financial report.
(b) OnJune30ofeach year,theBoardshallsubmitareporttotheGovernoroftheBoard's activities since the preceding July 1, including (i) the names of all licensed genetic counselors to whom licenses have been granted under this Article, (ii) any cases heard and decisions rendered in matters before the Board, (iii) the recommendations of the Board as to future actions and policies, and (iv) a financial report.
"§ 90-754.
House Bill 697-First Edition Page 3 General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2025 "§ 90-754.
DRH10342-NBf-87 Page 3 General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2025 (a) Application;
(a) Application;
(3) Provide satisfactory evidence of having certification as a genetic counselor by the ABGC.
(3) Provide satisfactoryevidence of having certification as a genetic counselor by the ABGC.
(6) Has not engaged in any practice at any time that would be a ground for denial, revocation, or suspension of a license under G.S.
(6) Has not engaged in any practice at anytime that would be a ground for denial, revocation, or suspension of a license under G.S.
–Atemporarylicensemay beissuedto anapplicantwhomeets all of the requirements for licensure except for subdivision (a)(3) of this section and has been granted ACS by the ABGC.
–Atemporarylicensemaybeissued to an applicantwhomeets all of the requirements for licensure except for subdivision (a)(3) of this section and has been granted ACS by the ABGC.
A temporary license shall expire automatically upon the earliest of the following:
A temporarylicense shall expire automaticallyupon the earliest of the following:
Page 4 DRH10342-NBf-87 General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2025 (f) Suspension;
Page 4 House Bill 697-First Edition General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2025 (f) Suspension;
This may include genetictesting results and findings along withpublished guidelines that comply with the acceptable and prevailing standards of practice and ethics of both genetic counseling and medicine.
This may include genetictestingresults and findings alongwithpublished guidelines that comply with the acceptable and prevailing standards of practice and ethics of both genetic counseling and medicine.
All genetic counselors shall consult with the referring provider or refer all clients back to the referring health care provider for diagnosis, treatment, recommendations for treatment, final interpretations, and any necessary follow up.
All genetic counselors shall consult with the referring provider or refer all clients back to the referring health care provider for diagnosis, treatment, recommendations for treatment, final interpretations, and anynecessary follow up.
The Board shall collect any fees required by the Department of Public Safety and DRH10342-NBf-87 Page 5 General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2025 shall remit the fees to the Department of Public Safety for expenses associated with conducting the criminal history record check.
The Board shall collect any fees required by the Department of Public Safety and House Bill 697-First Edition Page 5 General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2025 shall remit the fees to the Department of Public Safety for expenses associated with conducting the criminal history record check.
Page 6 DRH10342-NBf-87 General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2025 (3) A student or intern enrolled in an ABGC-accredited genetic counseling educational program if genetic counseling services performed by the student are an integral part of the student's course of study and are performed under thedirect supervision of a licensedgenetic counselorassigned to supervise the student and who is on duty and available in the assigned patient care area and if the person is designated by a title "genetic counseling intern." "§ 90-760.
Page 6 House Bill 697-First Edition General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2025 (3) A student or intern enrolled in an ABGC-accredited genetic counseling educational program if genetic counseling services performed by the student are an integral part of the student's course of study and are performed under thedirect supervision of a licensed genetic counselorassigned to supervise the student and who is on duty and available in the assigned patient care area and if the person is designated by a title "genetic counseling intern." "§ 90-760.
(2) Using fraud or deceit in securing or attempting to secure or renew a license under this Article or willfully concealing from the Board material information in connection with application for a license or for renewal of a license under this Article.
(2) Using fraud or deceit in securing or attempting to secure or renew a license under this Article or willfullyconcealing from the Board material information in connection with application for a license or for renewal of a license under this Article.
(6) Violation of any provision of this Article or of the rules adopted by the Board.
(6) Violation of anyprovision of this Article or of the rules adopted bythe Board.
(9) Practicing geneticcounseling in amannerthatendangersthewelfareofclients or patients.
(9) Practicing geneticcounselingin amannerthat endangersthewelfareofclients or patients.
(10) Demonstratinganinabilitytopracticegeneticcounselingwithreasonableskill and safety by reason of illness;
(10) Demonstratinganinabilityto practice geneticcounselingwith reasonableskill and safety by reason of illness;
DRH10342-NBf-87 Page 7 General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2025 (11) Practicing genetic counseling outside the boundaries of demonstrated competenceorthelimitations ofeducation,training,orsupervised experience.
House Bill 697-First Edition Page 7 General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2025 (11) Practicing genetic counseling outside the boundaries of demonstrated competenceorthelimitations ofeducation,training,orsupervised experience.
(12) Departing from or failing to conform to the acceptable and prevailing standards of care and ethics of the practice of genetic counseling in the State as determined by the Board, irrespective of whether or not a patient is injured.
(12) Departing from or failing to conform to the acceptable and prevailing standards of care and ethics of the practice of genetic counseling in the State as determined bythe Board, irrespective of whether or not a patient is injured.
(15) Failing to retain securely and confidentially the complete case record indefinitely if there are pending legal or ethical matters or if there is any other compelling circumstance, or failing to retain securely and confidentially the completecaserecordfor at least sevenyearsfromthedateofthelast provision of services, except when under either circumstance, the genetic counselor was prevented from doing so by circumstances beyond the genetic counselor's control.
(15) Failing to retain securely and confidentially the complete case record indefinitely if there are pending legal or ethical matters or if there is any other compelling circumstance, or failing to retain securely and confidentially the completecaserecordfor at least seven yearsfromthedateofthelast provision of services, except when under either circumstance, the genetic counselor was prevented from doing so by circumstances beyond the genetic counselor's control.
(3) Require examination, remediation, or rehabilitation for the applicant or licensee, including care, counseling, or treatment by a professional or professionals designated or approved by the Board, the expense of which shall be paid by the applicant or licensee.
(3) Require examination, remediation, or rehabilitation for the applicant or licensee, including care, counseling, or treatment by a professional or professionals designated or approved bythe Board, the expense of which shall be paid by the applicant or licensee.
(e) When considering whether an applicant or licensee is physically or mentally capable of practicing genetic counseling with reasonable skill and safety with patients or clients, the Board may petition a court of competent jurisdiction to order the applicant or licensee to submit to a psychological evaluation by a psychologist to determine psychological status or a physical evaluation by a physician to determine physical condition, or both, upon a showing of probable Page 8 DRH10342-NBf-87 General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2025 cause to the Board that the applicant or licensee is not capable of practicing genetic counseling with reasonable skill and safety with patients or clients.
(e) When considering whether an applicant or licensee is physically or mentally capable of practicing genetic counseling with reasonable skill and safety with patients or clients, the Board may petition a court of competent jurisdiction to order the applicant or licensee to submit to a psychological evaluation by a psychologist to determine psychological status or a physical evaluation by a physician to determine physical condition, or both, upon a showing of probable Page 8 House Bill 697-First Edition General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2025 cause to the Board that the applicant or licensee is not capable of practicing genetic counseling with reasonable skill and safety with patients or clients.
(g) An individual whose license has been denied or revoked may reapply to the Board for licensure after the passage of one calendar year from the date of the denial or revocation.
(g) An individual whose license has been denied or revoked mayreapplyto the Board for licensure after the passage of one calendar year from the date of the denial or revocation.
The Board may delay or refuse granting consent as necessary in order to investigate any pending complaint, allegation, or issue regarding violation of any provision of this Article by the licensee.
The Board may delay or refuse granting consent as necessary in order to investigate any pending complaint, allegation, or issue regarding violation of any provision of this Article bythe licensee.
Notwithstanding any provision to the contrary, the Board retains full jurisdiction to investigateallegedviolationsofthisArticlebyanyindividualwhoselicenseisrelinquishedunder this subsection and, upon proof of any violation of this Article by any individual, the Board may take disciplinary action as authorized by this section.
Notwithstanding any provision to the contrary, the Board retains full jurisdiction to investigateallegedviolationsofthisArticlebyanyindividualwhoselicense isrelinquishedunder this subsection and, upon proof of any violation of this Article by any individual, the Board may take disciplinary action as authorized by this section.
7A-41.1 in which the respondent resides or has his principal place of business or in which the alleged acts occurred or, in the case DRH10342-NBf-87 Page 9 General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2025 of an action against a nonresident, in the district where the Genetic Counselors Licensure Board resides.
7A-41.1 in which the respondent resides or has his principal place of business or in which the alleged acts occurred or, in the case House Bill 697-First Edition Page 9 General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2025 of an action against a nonresident, in the district where the Genetic Counselors Licensure Board resides.
90-761(i), in any proceeding before the Board, in any record of any hearing before the Board, and in the notice of charges against any licensee, the Board shall withhold from public disclosure the identity ofa patient including information relating to dates and places of treatment, or any other information that would tend to identify the patient, unless the patient or the representativeof thepatient expresslyconsents to thedisclosure.
90-761(i), in any proceeding before the Board, in any record of any hearing before the Board, and in the notice of charges against any licensee, the Board shall withhold from public disclosure the identityof a patient including information relating to dates and places of treatment, or any other information that would tend to identify the patient, unless the patient or the representativeof thepatient expresslyconsents to thedisclosure.
Uponwritten request, theBoard shall revoke a subpoena if, upon a hearing, it finds that the evidence the production of which is required does not relate to a matter in issue, or if the subpoena does not describe with sufficient particularity the evidence the production of which is required, or if for any other reason in law the subpoena is invalid.
Uponwrittenrequest, the Board shall revoke a subpoena if, upon a hearing, it finds that the evidence the production of which is required does not relate to a matter in issue, or if the subpoena does not describe with sufficient particularity the evidence the production of which is required, or if for any other reason in law the subpoena is invalid.
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The Board retains jurisdiction over an inactive license, regardless of how it became inactive, including a request for inactivation, surrender of a license, or by operation of an order entered by theBoard.TheBoard's jurisdiction overthe licenseeextends for all matters, knownandunknown to the Board, at the time of the inactivation or surrender of the license." SECTION 2.
The Board retains jurisdiction over an inactive license, regardless of how it became inactive, including a request for inactivation, surrender of a license, or by operation of an order entered by theBoard.The Board's jurisdiction overthe licenseeextendsfor all matters, knownand unknown to the Board, at the time of the inactivation or surrender of the license." SECTION 2.
90-751, as enacted by Section 1 of this act, shall be made on or before October 1, 2025, and the initial terms of the appointees shall begin on January 1, 2026.
90-751, as enacted by Section 1 of this act, shall be made on or before October 1, 2025, and the initial terms of the appointees shall begin on January1, 2026.
The Genetic Counselors Licensing Board shall provide to the State Bureau of Investigation, along with the request, the fingerprints of the applicant, a form signed by the applicant consenting to the criminal record check and use of fingerprints and other identifying information required by the State and National Repositories, and any additional information required by the StateBureauofInvestigation.
The Genetic Counselors Licensing Board shall provide to the State Bureau of Investigation, along with the request, the fingerprints of the applicant, a form signed by the applicant consenting to the criminal record check and use of fingerprints and other identifying information required by the State and National Repositories, and any additional information required bythe StateBureauof Investigation.
TheStateBureauofInvestigationshall forward a set of fingerprints to the Federal Bureau of Investigation for a national criminal history record check.
TheStateBureau of Investigationshall forward a set of fingerprints to the Federal Bureau of Investigation for a national criminal history record check.
A criminal history report obtained as provided in this section is not a public record under Chapter 132 of the General Statutes." Page 10 DRH10342-NBf-87 General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2025 SECTION 5.
A criminal history report obtained as provided in this section is not a public record under Chapter 132 of the General Statutes." Page 10 House Bill 697-First Edition General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2025 SECTION 5.
DRH10342-NBf-87 Page 11
House Bill 697-First Edition Page 11
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Action History

  1. Special Message Sent To Senate

  2. Special Message Received From House

  3. Passed 1st Reading

  4. Ref To Com On Rules and Operations of the Senate

  5. Reptd Fav

  6. Cal Pursuant Rule 36(b)

  7. Added to Calendar

  8. Passed 2nd Reading

  9. Passed 3rd Reading

  10. Reptd Fav

  11. Re-ref Com On Rules, Calendar, and Operations of the House

  12. Withdrawn From Com

  13. Re-ref to the Com on Finance, if favorable, Rules, Calendar, and Operations of the House

  14. Reptd Fav

  15. Re-ref Com On Regulatory Reform

  16. Passed 1st Reading

  17. Ref to the Com on Health, if favorable, Regulatory Reform, if favorable, Finance, if favorable, Rules, Calendar, and Operations of the House

  18. Filed

Sponsors

Sponsorship breakdown

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3 sponsors · 3 co-sponsors · 173 not signed on

Sponsors (3)

Co-sponsors (3)

Not signed on (173)

173 members have not signed on to this bill.

Show all 173 →

"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

Votes

Second Reading

Passed 108 Yea · 0 Nay · 12 Other
Party YeaNayPresentNot Voting
Democratic 43001
Unaffiliated 6000
Republican 59009
U 0002
Total 1080012
% of votes cast 90%0%0%10%
How each member voted (120)
Member Party Vote
CharlesSmith — Yea
vonHaefen — Yea
Campbell — Yea
Reeder — Yea
C. Smith — Yea
F. Jackson — Yea
Abe Jones Democratic Yea
Aisha O. Dew Democratic Yea
Allen Buansi Democratic Yea
Allison A. Dahle Democratic Yea
Amber M. Baker Democratic Yea
Amos L. Quick, III Democratic Not Voting
B. Ray Jeffers Democratic Yea
Becky Carney Democratic Yea
Beth Helfrich Democratic Yea
Brandon Lofton Democratic Yea
Brian Turner Democratic Yea
Bryan Cohn Democratic Yea
Carolyn G. Logan Democratic Yea
Cecil Brockman Democratic Yea
Cynthia Ball Democratic Yea
Dante Pittman Democratic Yea
Deb Butler Democratic Yea
Eric Ager Democratic Yea
Garland E. Pierce Democratic Yea
Gloristine Brown Democratic Yea
James Roberson Democratic Yea
Jordan Lopez Democratic Yea
Julia Greenfield Democratic Yea
Kanika Brown Democratic Yea
Laura Budd Democratic Yea
Lindsey Prather Democratic Yea
Marcia Morey Democratic Yea
Maria Cervania Democratic Yea
Mary Belk Democratic Yea
Mike Colvin Democratic Yea
Monika Johnson-Hostler Democratic Yea
Phil Rubin Democratic Yea
Pricey Harrison Democratic Yea
Renée A. Price Democratic Yea
Robert T. Reives, II Democratic Yea
Rodney D. Pierce Democratic Yea
Sarah Crawford Democratic Yea
Shelly Willingham Democratic Yea
Terry M. Brown Jr. Democratic Yea
Tim Longest Democratic Yea
Tracy Clark Democratic Yea
Vernetta Alston Democratic Yea
Ya Liu Democratic Yea
Zack Hawkins Democratic Yea
A. Reece Pyrtle, Jr. Republican Yea
Allen Chesser Republican Yea
Ben T. Moss, Jr. Republican Not Voting
Bill Ward Republican Yea
Blair Eddins Republican Yea
Brenden H. Jones Republican Not Voting
Brian Biggs Republican Yea
Brian Echevarria Republican Yea
Celeste C. Cairns Republican Yea
Charles W. Miller Republican Yea
Chris Humphrey Republican Yea
Cody Huneycutt Republican Yea
David Willis Republican Not Voting
Dean Arp Republican Yea
Dennis Riddell Republican Yea
Destin Hall Republican Not Voting
Diane Wheatley Republican Yea
Donna McDowell White Republican Not Voting
Donnie Loftis Republican Yea
Donny Lambeth Republican Yea
Dudley Greene Republican Yea
Edward C. Goodwin Republican Yea
Erin Paré Republican Yea
Frank Iler Republican Yea
Harry Warren Republican Yea
Heather H. Rhyne Republican Yea
Howard Penny, Jr. Republican Yea
Hugh Blackwell Republican Yea
Jarrod Lowery Republican Yea
Jay Adams Republican Yea
Jeff Zenger Republican Yea
Jeffrey C. McNeely Republican Yea
Jennifer Balkcom Republican Yea
Jerry "Alan" Branson Republican Yea
Jimmy Dixon Republican Yea
John A. Torbett Republican Yea
John M. Blust Republican Not Voting
John R. Bell, IV Republican Yea
John Sauls Republican Not Voting
Jonathan L. Almond Republican Yea
Joseph Pike Republican Yea
Julia C. Howard Republican Yea
Karl E. Gillespie Republican Yea
Keith Kidwell Republican Yea
Kelly E. Hastings Republican Not Voting
Kyle Hall Republican Yea
Larry C. Strickland Republican Yea
Larry W. Potts Republican Yea
Mark Brody Republican Yea
Mark Pless Republican Yea
Matthew Winslow Republican Yea
Mike Clampitt Republican Yea
Mike Schietzelt Republican Yea
Mitchell S. Setzer Republican Yea
Neal Jackson Republican Not Voting
Paul Scott Republican Yea
Phil Shepard Republican Yea
Ray Pickett Republican Yea
Sam Watford Republican Yea
Sarah Stevens Republican Yea
Stephen M. Ross Republican Yea
Steve Tyson Republican Yea
Ted Davis, Jr. Republican Yea
Todd Carver Republican Yea
Todd Johnson Republican Yea
Tricia Ann Cotham Republican Yea
William D. Brisson Republican Yea
Wyatt Gable Republican Yea
Carla D. Cunningham U Not Voting
Nasif Majeed U Not Voting

Official roll call →

Subjects

healthcare labor
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Frequently asked questions

Who sponsors HB 697?
HB 697 is sponsored by Cody Huneycutt (Republican), Pricey Harrison (Democratic), Maria Cervania (Democratic), Campbell, Reeder, and Larry W. Potts (Republican).
What is the current status of HB 697?
This bill has passed the House. Introduced April 02, 2025. It now moves to the second chamber.
Where can I track HB 697?
Track HB 697 free on One Click Politics — get push/email alerts when it moves.

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