All Roll Calls
Yes: 59 • No: 4
NevadaSB18983rd Regular Session (2025)SenateWALLET
AN ACT relating to genetic counseling; prescribing certain duties and authority of a genetic counselor; providing for the regulation of the practice of genetic counseling by the Board of Medical Examiners; requiring the appointment of the Genetic Counseling Advisory Council; prescribing the requirements for the issuance and renewal of a license as a genetic counselor; authorizing the Board to take certain actions to investigate and impose discipline against a genetic counselor; prohibiting the unlicensed practice of genetic counseling except in certain circumstances; establishing a privilege for certain confidential communications; providing penalties; and providing other matters properly relating thereto.
Sponsored By: Roberta Lange (Democratic)
Signed by Governor
BDR 54-69
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
14 provisions identified: 8 benefits, 0 costs, 6 mixed.
Stronger reporting to protect older adults
The law adds more job types as mandated reporters of suspected abuse, neglect, exploitation, isolation, or abandonment of older or vulnerable people. Reports must be made as soon as reasonably practicable and no later than 24 hours; if a death may be due to abuse or neglect, notify the coroner or medical examiner right away. Agencies must start an investigation within 3 working days. When an agency other than Aging and Disability Services finishes, it must send the final report within 30 days to the listed state units. Knowing and willful failure to report is a misdemeanor.
Malpractice rules in cases with genetic counselors
In malpractice cases, your attorney cannot take more than 35% of your recovery. Courts may allow future damages to be paid over time and may require security for those payments. The rules also affect evidence about outside benefits and limit some subrogation claims.
New license rules for genetic counselors
Nevada now licenses genetic counselors. To get licensed, you need a master’s in genetic counseling, pass the board exam, hold ABGC certification, give fingerprints for state and FBI checks, provide your Social Security number and child‑support statement, and pay Board fees (up to $400 to apply; up to $600 to renew every two years). Licenses end on June 30 of odd‑numbered years; renewal needs 20 hours of NSGC‑approved education and valid ABGC certification. A temporary license lets you work under supervision until you pass and get certified; it ends at full licensure, 30 days after a passed exam, or one year, and may be renewed once for good cause. If you practiced on or before January 1, 2026, you may keep practicing without a Nevada license until July 1, 2026.
More malpractice reporting and higher fines
Insurers must report malpractice lawsuits, arbitration or mediation claims, and any settlements or judgments to the Board within 45 days. Hospitals, clinics, and medical societies must report changes in privileges and results of discipline within 30 days, or within 5 days if tied to competence or substance issues. When the Board gets a report of a judgment, award, or settlement, it must investigate unless it already has. The Board may fine a licensee up to $5,000 for each reporting violation. The Division may fine a facility or society up to $10,000 per failure to report after a hearing, and the Attorney General may sue to collect. Court clerks must report certain findings within 45 days. The Board must keep complaints at least 10 years, and anyone aware of misconduct may file charges.
Tougher discipline for licensed health providers
The Board can immediately suspend a license when patients face imminent or ongoing harm, and must hold a hearing within 60 days unless both sides agree to more time. The Board can order mental, physical, or competence exams; exams tied to a summary suspension must be done and results returned within 30 days. Refusing a Board‑ordered exam counts as admitting the charges unless there are extraordinary circumstances. Genetic counselors must tell the Board within 48 hours if ABGC certification lapses; the Board then revokes the license right away. A license may be surrendered and later restored under Board terms. Certified court or licensing records are conclusive proof of a conviction or license action, examiner reports are not privileged, and the Board shares information with other agencies.
Tougher enforcement against unlicensed genetic counseling
The Board can order mental, physical, or competence exams, and applicants and licensees are deemed to consent when ordered in writing. Courts cannot put a Board suspension on hold during discipline. Unlicensed genetic counseling and title misuse face cease‑and‑desist orders, site inspections, fines up to $5,000, and court injunctions. Unlicensed practice is a felony, with higher penalties if serious harm occurs. Wellness providers who practice genetic counseling without a license violate state law. To restore a limited, suspended, or revoked license, a person must prove fitness by clear and convincing evidence, and a revoked license requires applying and testing as if never licensed. The law also clarifies where other chapters do not apply to licensed genetic counseling practice.
More protection for older and vulnerable adults
Genetic counselors must report suspected abuse, neglect, exploitation, isolation, or abandonment of an older or vulnerable person as soon as possible and no later than 24 hours. After an investigation, the state or county may provide protective services if the person is able and willing to accept help.
Your talks with genetic counselors are private
Conversations with a licensed genetic counselor are confidential, like doctor‑patient talks. Genetic counselors are also official custodians of medical records and must follow state rules on creating and keeping those records.
State rules cover genetic counseling insurance
If your plan covers genetic counseling, that coverage now follows state insurance rules. This applies to direct payment, reimbursement, or other methods. It can improve consistency and consumer protections.
Genetic counselors can own professional practices
Genetic counselors can form or join professional corporations and similar entities that offer genetic counseling. This supports practice ownership and clearer business structures for counselors.
Advisory council and ethics rules
The law creates a five‑member Genetic Counseling Advisory Council. It includes a genetics physician, three certified practicing genetic counselors, and one public member; terms are staggered to end on January 1, 2027 and January 1, 2028. The Council meets at least twice a year and advises the Board. The Board must adopt rules, including the NSGC Code of Ethics, define temporary supervised practice, and set renewal rules.
Genetic counselors treated as health providers statewide
Nevada now treats genetic counselors as health care providers across many laws. Assaults on them at work face enhanced penalties. Smoking is banned in public areas of their offices. They are included in public health, consumer protection, and insurance‑tort definitions. Some local government rules now treat them like doctors for certain employment provisions.
Who can help with genetic counseling
The law defines genetic counseling tasks and does not include diagnosis or treatment. Only people licensed by the Board may use the title “genetic counselor.” Students in accredited programs may help within their training. Unlicensed staff may help if a qualified supervisor is on the same premises. Certified out‑of‑state counselors may consult on a temporary basis with Board approval. Physicians and PAs do not need a separate counselor license when counseling within medical practice. The law also defines what counts as genetic information and genetic tests.
Providers must report malpractice; more is public
Doctors, PAs, genetic counselors, perfusionists, and respiratory care providers must report malpractice lawsuits, claims, settlements, and reportable sanctions within 45 days. Schools and facilities must file a complaint within 30 days if they learn of conduct that could lead to discipline. Most license applications, charges, hearings, and Board orders are open to the public. Complaints and investigation files stay confidential until formal charges are filed. Hearings use flexible evidence rules and a preponderance standard, and a witness is not barred just for incompetency. The Board can close meetings when deciding whether to order fitness exams. The Board may keep certain application and fitness materials private. Licensees must also report violations in writing to the Board’s Executive Director; good‑faith reporters are immune from civil suits.
Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsor
Roberta Lange
Democratic • Senate
Cosponsors
Angela D. Taylor
Democratic • Senate
Dina Neal
Democratic • Senate
Edgar Flores
Democratic • Senate
James Ohrenschall
Democratic • Senate
Julie Pazina
Democratic • Senate
Melanie Scheible
Democratic • Senate
Michelee "Shelly" Cruz-Crawford
Democratic • Senate
Nicole J. Cannizzaro
Democratic • Senate
Skip Daly
Democratic • Senate
Roll Call Votes
House vote • 5/23/2025
Final Passage - Assembly (1st Reprint)
Yes: 40 • No: 2
Senate vote • 4/22/2025
Final Passage - Senate (1st Reprint)
Yes: 19 • No: 2
Actions Timeline
Chapter 179.
5/31/2025legislatureApproved by the Governor.
5/31/2025legislatureEnrolled and delivered to Governor.
5/27/2025legislatureTo enrollment.
5/23/2025SenateIn Senate.
5/23/2025SenateRead third time. Passed. Title approved. (Yeas: 40, Nays: 2.) To Senate.
5/23/2025HouseTaken from General File. Placed on General File for next legislative day.
5/22/2025HouseTaken from General File. Placed on General File for next legislative day.
5/21/2025HouseRead second time.
5/20/2025HouseFrom committee: Do pass.
5/19/2025HouseRead first time. Referred to Committee on Commerce and Labor. To committee.
4/28/2025HouseIn Assembly.
4/28/2025HouseTo Assembly.
4/28/2025SenateFrom printer. To engrossment. Engrossed. First reprint.
4/25/2025SenateRead third time. Passed, as amended. Title approved. (Yeas: 19, Nays: 2.) To printer.
4/22/2025SenateReprinting dispensed with.
4/21/2025SenateRead second time. Amended. (Amend. No. 35.)
4/21/2025SenatePlaced on Second Reading File.
4/21/2025SenateFrom committee: Amend, and do pass as amended.
4/21/2025SenateFrom printer. To committee.
2/7/2025SenateRead first time. Referred to Committee on Commerce and Labor. To printer.
2/6/2025Senate
Bill Text
As Enrolled
As Introduced
Reprint 1
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