Terms Used In Rhode Island General Laws > Chapter 5-92 - Genetic Counselors Licensing Act

• ABGC: means the American Board of Genetic Counseling, a national agency for certification and recertification of genetic counselors or its successor agency. See Rhode Island General Laws 5-92-3
• ABMG: means the American Board of Medical Genetics, a national agency for certification and recertification of genetic counselors, MD and DO geneticists and Ph. See Rhode Island General Laws 5-92-3
• ACGC: means the Accreditation Council for Genetic Counseling (ACGC), an accreditation board for genetic counselor training programs or its successor agency. See Rhode Island General Laws 5-92-3
• Department: means the department of health. See Rhode Island General Laws 5-92-3
• Evidence: Information presented in testimony or in documents that is used to persuade the fact finder (judge or jury) to decide the case for one side or the other.
• Fraud: Intentional deception resulting in injury to another.
• Jurisdiction: (1) The legal authority of a court to hear and decide a case. Concurrent jurisdiction exists when two courts have simultaneous responsibility for the same case. (2) The geographic area over which the court has authority to decide cases.
• Licensed genetic counselor: means a person licensed under this chapter to engage in the practice of genetic counseling. See Rhode Island General Laws 5-92-3
• Person: means an individual and does not mean an association of individuals or a legal entity. See Rhode Island General Laws 5-92-3
• Practice of genetic counseling: means a communication process, conducted by one or more appropriately trained individuals that may include:

  (i)  Obtaining and evaluating individual, family, and medical histories to determine genetic risk for genetic/medical conditions and diseases in a patient, the patient's offspring, and other family members;

  (ii)  Discussing the features, natural history, means of diagnosis, genetic and environmental factors, and management of risk for genetic/medical conditions and diseases;

  (iii)  Identifying, ordering, and coordinating genetic laboratory tests as appropriate for the genetic assessment;

  (iv)  Integrating genetic laboratory test results and other diagnostic studies with personal and family medical history to assess and communicate risk factors for genetic/medical conditions and diseases;

  (v)  Explaining the clinical implications of genetic laboratory tests and other diagnostic studies and their results;

  (vi)  Evaluating the client's or family's responses to the condition or risk of recurrence and providing client-centered counseling and anticipatory guidance;

  (vii)  Identifying and utilizing community resources that provide medical, educational, financial, and psychosocial support and advocacy;

  (viii)  Providing written documentation of medical, genetic, and counseling information for families and healthcare professionals; and

  (ix)  When necessary, referring patients to a physician for diagnosis and treatment. See Rhode Island General Laws 5-92-3

• Probation: A sentencing alternative to imprisonment in which the court releases convicted defendants under supervision as long as certain conditions are observed.
• Provisional licensed genetic counselor: means a person with a provisional license issued under § 5-92-7. See Rhode Island General Laws 5-92-3
• Statute: A law passed by a legislature.
• Testimony: Evidence presented orally by witnesses during trials or before grand juries.