HB 293 Alaska House · 34th Legislature (2025-2026)

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.

HB 293 establishes a licensing system for genetic counselors in Alaska, requiring them to be licensed under new Chapter 53 of the state code. The bill creates a Genetic Counseling Advisory Council to advise the State Medical Board, sets telehealth practice standards for licensed counselors, and clarifies their medical malpractice liability protections. It also prohibits group health insurance plans from discriminating against genetic counselors. This legislation directly affects genetic counselors by defining their professional standards, practice scope, and legal protections within Alaska's healthcare system.

Issues: ✓ Healthcare

Bill status in committee 1 of 4 stages cleared

Introduction

Feb 2026

Committee Review

Floor Vote

Governor

Introduced Feb 4, 2026 Last action Feb 25, 2026

Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

HB 293 → CSHB 293(L&C) · 3 edits

MINOR

The bill was amended to reflect its status as a committee substitute (CSHB) rather than the original House Bill, updating the header and sponsor information. The substantive text regarding genetic counseling licensure and the definition of 'health care provider' remains unchanged from the original version.

TECHNICAL

The bill title was changed from 'HOUSE BILL NO. 293' to 'CS FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 293(L&C)', indicating it is a committee substitute version processed by the Labor and Commerce Committee.

The introduction date was updated from February 4, 2026, to February 25, 2026, and the referral committee was changed from Labor and Commerce/Health and Social Services to Finance.

The sponsor line was added to explicitly list Representative Fields, and the footer page numbers were updated to reflect the new committee substitute designation.

Floor votes

How they voted

No floor votes recorded yet.

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Feb 25, 2026

Committee

(H) REFERRED TO FINANCE

lower

Feb 25, 2026

Committee

(H) FIN REPLACES HSS REFERRAL

lower

Feb 23, 2026

Lower · Passed

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

lower

1 primary · 0 co-sponsors