# Nevada SB189: 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. Nevada SB189, 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., is a 83rd Regular Session (2025) Senate bill sponsored by Roberta Lange (Democratic); status signed, last action 2025-05-31 (Chapter 179.); PRIA reads it as touching household money (as of 2026-11-01). - Canonical: https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/NV-SB189-83rd2025 - As of: 2026-11-01 - Plain-text twin of the page above; the HTML and this file carry the same facts. ## Facts - Bill: Nevada SB189 - State: Nevada - Session: 83rd Regular Session (2025) - Title: 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. - Status: signed - Chamber: Senate - Introduced: 2025-02-06 - Last action: 2025-05-31, Chapter 179. - Sponsor: Roberta Lange (Democratic) - Cosponsors: 9 - Subjects: BDR 54-69 - Touches household money: yes - Roll calls: 2 (59 yes, 4 no in all) - Economic provisions PRIA read: 14 ## Summary No summary available. ## Bill overview: provisions PRIA read - Stronger reporting to protect older adults: benefit, medium. 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 m… - More protection for older and vulnerable adults: benefit, low. 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 h… - Your talks with genetic counselors are private: benefit, low. 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: benefit, low. 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: benefit, low. 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: benefit, low. 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… - Genetic counselors treated as health providers statewide: benefit, low. 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… - Who can help with genetic counseling: benefit, low. 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.… - Malpractice rules in cases with genetic counselors: mixed, medium. 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: mixed, medium. 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… - More malpractice reporting and higher fines: mixed, medium. 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 s… - Tougher discipline for licensed health providers: mixed, medium. 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 withi… - Tougher enforcement against unlicensed genetic counseling: mixed, medium. 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… - Providers must report malpractice; more is public: mixed, low. 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 li… ## Sponsors and cosponsors - Sponsor: Roberta Lange (Democratic), Senate - Cosponsor: Angela D. Taylor (Democratic), Senate - Cosponsor: Dina Neal (Democratic), Senate - Cosponsor: Edgar Flores (Democratic), Senate - Cosponsor: James Ohrenschall (Democratic), Senate - Cosponsor: Julie Pazina (Democratic), Senate - Cosponsor: Melanie Scheible (Democratic), Senate - Cosponsor: Michelee "Shelly" Cruz-Crawford (Democratic), Senate - Cosponsor: Nicole J. Cannizzaro (Democratic), Senate - Cosponsor: Skip Daly (Democratic), Senate ## Roll call votes | Date | Chamber | Motion | Result | Yes | No | Other | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | | 2025-05-23 | House | Final Passage - Assembly (1st Reprint) | pass | 40 | 2 | | | 2025-04-22 | Senate | Final Passage - Senate (1st Reprint) | pass | 19 | 2 | | ## Actions (21) - 2025-05-31: Chapter 179. (legislature) - 2025-05-31: Approved by the Governor. (legislature) - 2025-05-27: Enrolled and delivered to Governor. (legislature) - 2025-05-23: To enrollment. (Senate) - 2025-05-23: In Senate. (Senate) - 2025-05-23: Read third time. Passed. Title approved. (Yeas: 40, Nays: 2.) To Senate. (House) - 2025-05-22: Taken from General File. Placed on General File for next legislative day. (House) - 2025-05-21: Taken from General File. Placed on General File for next legislative day. (House) - 2025-05-20: Read second time. (House) - 2025-05-19: From committee: Do pass. (House) - 2025-04-28: Read first time. Referred to Committee on Commerce and Labor. To committee. (House) - 2025-04-28: In Assembly. (House) - 2025-04-28: To Assembly. (Senate) - 2025-04-25: From printer. To engrossment. Engrossed. First reprint. (Senate) - 2025-04-22: Read third time. Passed, as amended. Title approved. (Yeas: 19, Nays: 2.) To printer. (Senate) - 2025-04-21: Reprinting dispensed with. (Senate) - 2025-04-21: Read second time. Amended. (Amend. No. 35.) (Senate) - 2025-04-21: Placed on Second Reading File. (Senate) - 2025-04-21: From committee: Amend, and do pass as amended. (Senate) - 2025-02-07: From printer. To committee. (Senate) - 2025-02-06: Read first time. Referred to Committee on Commerce and Labor. To printer. (Senate) ## Bill text - As Enrolled: [PDF](https://www.leg.state.nv.us/Session/83rd2025/Bills/SB/SB189_EN.pdf) - As Introduced: [PDF](https://www.leg.state.nv.us/Session/83rd2025/Bills/SB/SB189.pdf) - Reprint 1: [PDF](https://www.leg.state.nv.us/Session/83rd2025/Bills/SB/SB189_R1.pdf) ## Related bills - AB499: AN ACT relating to elections; requiring, with certain exceptions, a registered voter show photo identification to vote in person; requiring the Department of M… (vetoed) - AB397: AN ACT relating to higher education; revising provisions governing certain waivers of fees provided by the Board of Regents of the University of Nevada; revisi… (vetoed) - AB259: AN ACT relating to health care; prohibiting certain actions related to pricing and reimbursement for certain drugs; creating a cause of action for violating su… (vetoed) - AB188: AN ACT relating to the Public Employees' Benefits Program; requiring the Board of the Public Employees' Benefits Program to report certain information relating… (vetoed) - SB217: AN ACT relating to health care; prohibiting a governmental entity from substantially burdening certain activity relating to assisted reproduction under certain… (vetoed) - SB185: AN ACT relating to health care; requiring reimbursement under Medicaid to family members who provide personal care services to certain recipients of Medicaid;… (signed) ## Sources - [As Enrolled (PDF)](https://www.leg.state.nv.us/Session/83rd2025/Bills/SB/SB189_EN.pdf) - [As Introduced (PDF)](https://www.leg.state.nv.us/Session/83rd2025/Bills/SB/SB189.pdf) - [Reprint 1 (PDF)](https://www.leg.state.nv.us/Session/83rd2025/Bills/SB/SB189_R1.pdf) ## Related - [AB499: AN ACT relating to elections; requiring, with certain exceptions, a registered…](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/NV-AB499-83rd2025) - [AB397: AN ACT relating to higher education; revising provisions governing certain waiv…](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/NV-AB397-83rd2025) - [AB259: AN ACT relating to health care; prohibiting certain actions related to pricing…](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/NV-AB259-83rd2025) - [AB188: AN ACT relating to the Public Employees' Benefits Program; requiring the Board…](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/NV-AB188-83rd2025) - [SB217: AN ACT relating to health care; prohibiting a governmental entity from substant…](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/NV-SB217-83rd2025) - [SB185: AN ACT relating to health care; requiring reimbursement under Medicaid to famil…](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/NV-SB185-83rd2025) - [Nevada bills](https://policyrisk.com/states/nevada/bills) - [Nevada state hub](https://policyrisk.com/states/nevada) - [All state legislation](https://policyrisk.com/state-bills) Source: PRIA, https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/NV-SB189-83rd2025 (as of 2026-11-01).