SESSION WATCH
Superseded — its companion passed SENATE · SESSION 2026

No. CS/SB 1376

Grants for Genetic Counseling Education
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SPONSOR
Education Postsecondary; Burgess
FILED BY
Danny Burgess — District 23, Republican [search donations]
EFFECTIVE
7/1/2026
COMPANION
CS/HB 1115 — CS/SB 1376 was set aside and its companion carried the policy

Filed under Education.

PROVIDED SUMMARY

Grants for Genetic Counseling Education; Creating the Genetic Counseling Education Enhancement Grant Program within the State University System; requiring the Board of Governors, subject to legislative appropriation, to award grant funds to state universities for specified purposes; requiring the program to reward excellence among genetic counseling programs based on specified criteria; prohibiting such funds from being used for specified purposes, etc.

Full bill text →

Plain English Summary

AI-GENERATED
Creates a new grant program for genetic counseling education.

The Board of Governors will award competitive grants to state universities to support genetic counseling programs. This addresses faculty shortages, student financial barriers, and clinical training needs.

Funds are restricted to specific uses, including faculty recruitment, student scholarships, and clinical rotations. They may not be used for general administrative overhead or new facility construction.

Universities receiving grants must submit annual reports on expenditures and outcomes. The Board of Governors will compile these into a statewide summary for legislative review.

KEY PROVISIONS
§ 1 Mandatory Competitive Grants majors. 1009.8963(1)

AIRequires the Board of Governors to award competitive grants to state universities to address faculty shortages, student financial barriers, and clinical training needs in genetic counseling.

“The Board of Governors shall award competitive grants to state universities to address faculty shortages, student financial barriers, and clinical training needs in genetic counsel” bill text, line 32 →
§ 2 One-Time Start-Up Grants majors. 1009.8963(2)(a)

AIAllows the board to award one-time start-up grants to state universities to establish new accredited genetic counseling programs, provided the application demonstrates a net increase in statewide training opportunities.

“Establish an accredited program at a state university through a one-time start-up grant based upon an application submitted in a format prescribed by the board” bill text, line 38 →
§ 3 Performance-Based Funding majors. 1009.8963(2)(b)

AIRequires the board to award funds to existing accredited programs based on student completion numbers and first-time board certification examination passage rates, rewarding programs that exceed the national average.

“The program shall reward excellence among genetic counseling programs with an average first-time American Board of Genetic Counseling, Inc., board certification examination passage” bill text, line 68 →
§ 4 Restricted Use of Funds moderates. 1009.8963(3)(b)

AIProhibits the use of grant funds for general administrative overhead costs, the construction of new facilities, or nonprogram-related activities.

“Grant funds may not be used for: 1. General administrative overhead costs. 2. The construction of new facilities. 3. Nonprogram-related activities.” bill text, line 86 →
§ 5 Annual Reporting Requirements moderates. 1009.8963(4)(a)

AIRequires state universities receiving funds to submit annual reports detailing expenditures, outcomes, and future plans, which the board must compile into a statewide summary for legislative leadership.

“Each state university receiving funds pursuant to this section shall submit an annual report to the board” bill text, line 93 →
TIMELINE
3/10/2026
Laid on Table, companion bill(s) passed, see CS/HB 1115 (Ch....
3/10/2026
Substituted CS/HB 1115 -SJ 745
3/10/2026
Read 2nd time -SJ 745
3/5/2026
Placed on Special Order Calendar, 03/10/26
3/3/2026
Placed on Calendar, on 2nd reading
3/2/2026
Favorable by- Fiscal Policy; YEAS 18 NAYS 0
2/26/2026
On Committee agenda-- Fiscal Policy, 03/02/26, 12:00 pm, 412 Knott Building
2/26/2026
Now in Fiscal Policy
2/25/2026
Favorable by Appropriations Committee on Higher Education; YEAS 5 NAYS 0
2/20/2026
On Committee agenda-- Appropriations Committee on Higher...
1/29/2026
CS by Education Postsecondary read 1st time
1/29/2026
Now in Appropriations Committee on Higher Education
1/29/2026
Pending reference review under Rule 4.7(2) - (Committee Substitute)
1/28/2026
CS by Education Postsecondary; YEAS 5 NAYS 0
1/23/2026
On Committee agenda-- Education Postsecondary, 01/28/26, 10:30 am,...
1/22/2026
Introduced
1/16/2026
Referred to Education Postsecondary; Appropriations Committee on...
1/7/2026
Filed
12 EARLIER →
STATUTES IT CHANGES
s. 1009.8963
+529 / −0
STAFF ANALYSES
2 MORE →