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SR 396

GENETIC COUNSELOR DAY

104th Regular Session Introduced by Laura Fine and 1 co-sponsor

Declares November 13, 2025 as Genetic Counselor Appreciation Day in Illinois to recognize counselors' vital role in guiding testing, interpreting results, and supporting patients.

Added as Co-Sponsor Sen. Suzy Glowiak Hilton
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Bill Summary · SR 396

Summary — SR 396 (GENETIC COUNSELOR DAY)

What this resolution does (purpose / intent)

SR 396 is a non‑binding Senate resolution that declares November 13, 2025, as “Genetic Counselor Appreciation Day” in the State of Illinois and formally recognizes the contributions of genetic counselors to patient care, public health, and the appropriate use of genetic testing and genomic research. The resolution also highlights the significance of human genome sequencing progress over the past century and expresses legislative support for genetic counselors’ work.

Key provisions and findings

  • Declares November 13, 2025 as Genetic Counselor Appreciation Day in Illinois.
  • Lists findings about the role and value of genetic counselors, including that they:
    • Empower patients and families to understand medical and family histories, evaluate testing options, and make informed decisions based on results.
    • Help interpret complex genetic test results and advise on clinical use, thereby helping to avoid unnecessary or costly testing.
    • Support patients across specialties (prenatal, pediatric, metabolic, cardiovascular, neurological, cancer care) and provide referrals to community support.
  • Notes workforce numbers cited in the text: roughly 150+ certified genetic counselors working in Illinois and about 5,000 genetic counselors nationally (language in the draft is somewhat garbled but communicates these approximate figures).
  • Expresses support for continued use of genomic research to improve patient outcomes.

Who is affected / who benefits

  • Primary beneficiaries are genetic counselors (recognition and public awareness).
  • Patients and families who use genetic counseling services (indirect benefit through increased recognition and awareness).
  • Healthcare providers and systems (resolution highlights counselors’ role in efficient test utilization).
  • The declaration is symbolic and intended to raise awareness rather than create new rights, duties, or funding.

Procedural / timeline notes

  • Introduced: April 10, 2025.
  • Read & adopted: April 14, 2025 (vote recorded; reported enrolled).
  • Additional procedural activity appears in October 2025 (assignment to Public Health, added co‑sponsor Sen. Suzy Glowiak Hilton on Oct 29, 2025; resolution adopted Oct 29, 2025). The record contains overlapping entries — see “Notable issues” below.
  • Classification: Senate resolution (symbolic; non‑binding).

Notable issues / caveat

The version content provided appears to include two distinct resolutions merged into one file: (1) the Genetic Counselor Appreciation Day resolution (Illinois), and (2) a separate Georgia Senate resolution congratulating Rachel Kinsaul on receiving a Milken Educator Award. Those are separate matters; the substantive Genetic Counselor content applies to Illinois and the November 13, 2025 designation. The resolution contains some transcription errors/garbled sentences; core meaning (day designation and recognition of counselors’ roles) remains clear.

Practical effect

SR 396 is ceremonial: it raises public and professional awareness of genetic counseling and acknowledges the field’s contribution to patient care and the appropriate use of genomic medicine. It creates no statutory changes, funding, or regulatory obligations.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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