Purpose: Chapter 246-12 WAC, Administrative procedures and requirements for credentialed health care providers. The department of health (department) is adopting model rules establishing minimum standards for health equity continuing education (CE) for health professions credentialed under RCW 18.130.040 with a CE requirement.

ESSB 5229 (chapter 276, Laws of 2021), codified as RCW 43.70.613, directed the department to establish model rules creating minimum standards for health equity CE training programs. RCW 43.70.613 (3)(b) also directed the department to consult with patients and communities with lived experiences of health inequities or racism in the health care system when developing the model rules. The department held four listening sessions that invited individuals with lived experiences of health inequities or racism in the health care system to share their experiences, which the department used to develop rule language. The department also held four rules workshops where the model rule language was developed with the public, boards, and commissions.

The model rules create four new sections in chapter 246-12 WAC: Purpose, definitions, minimum health equity CE hours, and health equity CE training content. The model rules require completion of two hours of health equity CE every four years for all health professionals credentialed under RCW 18.130.040 with a CE requirement. The model rules also require that the two CE hours include implicit bias training to identify strategies to reduce bias during assessment and diagnosis.

A final cost-benefit analysis is available by contacting Ashley Bell, P.O. Box 47843, Olympia, WA 98504-7843, phone 360-236-2961, TTY 711, email healthequityimplementation@doh.wa.gov, website www.doh.wa.gov.

Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Comply with Federal Statute: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Federal Rules or Standards: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Recently Enacted State Statutes: New 4, Amended 0, Repealed 0.

Number of Sections Adopted using Negotiated Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Pilot Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Other Alternative Rule Making: New 4, Amended 0, Repealed 0.

WAC 246-12-810 through 246-12-830 contain model rules establishing minimum standards for health equity continuing education trainings for health care professionals credentialed under RCW 18.130.040 with a continuing education requirement. The rule-making authority for each health profession credentialed under RCW 18.130.040 with a continuing education requirement may set standards that exceed the minimum standards in this chapter.

The definitions in this section and RCW 43.70.613 apply throughout WAC 246-12-800 through 246-12-830 unless the context clearly requires otherwise.

(1) "Department" means the Washington state department of health.

(2) "Health care professional" means an individual credentialed or holding a retired active credential in one of the health professions listed in RCW 18.130.040 with a continuing education requirement.

(3) "Health equity" means all people have the same opportunities and equal access in order to attain their full health potential regardless of the color of their skin, ancestry, ethnicity, level of education, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, religion, socioeconomic status, the job they have, the neighborhood they live in, or their ability status.

Health care professionals must complete a minimum of two hours in health equity continuing education training every four years, unless the relevant rule-making authority specifies a higher number of hours in rule.

An education program providing health equity continuing education training must:

(1) Include implicit bias training to identify strategies to reduce bias during assessment and diagnosis and may include, but is not limited to, at least one of the topics included in RCW 43.70.613 (3)(c).

(2) Have trainers with demonstrated knowledge and experience related to health equity. Research referenced in the training must be based on current empirical research and known best practices.

(3) Have courses that assess the health care professional's ability to apply health equity concepts into practice in accordance with profession specific rules, which may include, but are not limited to:

(a) An assessment at the end of an in-person or virtual continuing education training to determine knowledge gained during that training; or

(b) A document provided at the end of an in-person or virtual continuing education training that attests attendance at the training.