Subject of Possible Rule Making: WAC 246-810-027, 246-810-0298, and creating a new section in chapter 246-810 WAC, Counselors. The department of health (department) is considering implementing ESSB 5229 (chapter 276, Laws of 2021) by requiring health equity continuing education for certified counselors and certified advisers. The department may also consider additional changes to update, clarify, and streamline these rule sections as appropriate.

Reasons Why Rules on this Subject may be Needed and What They Might Accomplish: Rule making may be necessary to align chapter 246-810 WAC with recent legislation. ESSB 5229, which passed during the 2021 legislative session, requires certified counselors, certified advisers, and many other Washington health care professionals to complete continuing education on health equity.

As part of this rule making, the department will consider: (1) Whether two or more hours of health equity continuing education will be required for certified counselors and certified advisers; (2) the total amount of continuing education hours required; and (3) other issues related to continuing education. The department will also consider amendments to update and streamline sections of chapter 246-810 WAC as appropriate.

Interested parties can participate in the decision to adopt the new rule and formulation of the proposed rule before publication by contacting Ted Dale, Office of Health Professions, P.O. Box 47850, Olympia, WA 98504, phone 360-236-2991, TTY 711, email ted.dale@doh.wa.gov, website www.doh.wa.gov.

Additional comments: Rule-making notices will be delivered via the GovDelivery certified counselors/certified advisers health profession list. To receive notices, interested persons may sign up for any or all of the lists. Please go to https://public.govdelivery.com/accounts/WADOH/subscriber/new. After signing in, please click open the box labeled "Health Systems Quality Assurance." Next, click open the box labeled "Health Professions" and then click on "Certified Counselors/Certified Advisers." You may also check the box next to one or more of the other professions listed to received information related to that specific profession.