Bill > S1376

This bill establishes the Genetic Counseling Education Enhancement Grant Program within Florida's State University System to support and grow graduate-level genetic counseling programs that are accredited by the Accreditation Council for Genetic Counseling. The Board of Governors, which oversees the State University System, will award these grants, subject to legislative funding, to state universities. The program aims to address shortages of genetic counseling faculty, help students with financial barriers to education, and improve clinical training opportunities. Grants can be used to start new accredited programs by covering start-up costs and demonstrating plans for accreditation, student enrollment, faculty hiring, program completion rates, and success on the American Board of Genetic Counseling certification exam, ensuring these new programs add to, rather than just shift, existing training resources. Existing accredited programs will also receive grants based on their performance, specifically the number of students who complete the program and their success rate on the national certification exam, with a focus on rewarding programs that exceed the national average. Grant funds are authorized for recruiting and retaining qualified faculty, providing scholarships to students for tuition, books, and living expenses, and establishing and maintaining clinical rotations and supervised training experiences. However, these funds cannot be used for general administrative costs, building new facilities, or non-program related activities. Universities receiving grants must keep records to show they are following the program's rules and submit annual reports detailing their expenditures, achievements, and future plans, which the Board of Governors will then compile into a statewide summary to be submitted to the Governor and the Legislature by July 1 each year. The Board of Governors is also required to create regulations to manage this grant program, which will become effective on July 1, 2026.

Budget and Finance

Education Postsecondary (Senate)

https://www.flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2026/1376