Subject of Possible Rule Making: Chapter 246-933 WAC, Veterinarians, and chapter 246-935 WAC, Veterinary technicians. The veterinarian board of governors (board) is considering adopting the health equity continuing education (CE) model rules, WAC 246-12-800 through 246-12-830, to comply with RCW 43.70.613, as amended by ESSB 5229 (chapter 276, Laws of 2021). The board will also consider whether additional CE hours and course topics should be included.

Reasons Why Rules on this Subject may be Needed and What They Might Accomplish: By January 1, 2024, RCW 43.70.613(1) requires each health profession credentialed under RCW 18.130.040 with a CE requirement to adopt rules requiring completion of health equity CE training at least once every four years.

RCW 43.70.613 (3)(b) also directed the department of health (department) to create model rules establishing minimum standards for health equity CE programs. The department adopted model rules for health equity CE minimum standards in November 2022. Any rules developed by the board must meet or exceed the minimum standards in the model rules found at WAC 246-12-800 through 246-12-830.

The goal of health equity CE training is to ensure that health care professionals complete health equity training and that the content of the health equity trainings include instruction on skills to address structural factors, such as bias, racism, and poverty, which manifest as health inequities. The objective of requiring health equity training is to enable health care professionals to care effectively for patients from diverse cultures, groups, and communities and patients of varying race, ethnicity, gender identity, sexuality, religion, age, ability, socioeconomic status, and other categories of identity.

Interested parties can participate in the decision to adopt the new rule and formulation of the proposed rule before publication by contacting Loralei Walker, P.O. Box 47852, Olympia, WA 98504-7852, phone 360-236-4947, fax 360-236-2901, TTY 711, email Loralei.walker@doh.wa.gov, website www.doh.wa.gov/veterinarian.

Additional comments: Notices will be emailed through the program's GovDelivery interested parties list. To sign up, please go to https://public.govdelivery.com/accounts/WADOH/subscriber/new. Interested parties will be invited to participate in meetings and rule drafting workshops. At the formal proposal stage of rule making, proposed rule language will be posted on the department's rules comments website to receive public comment for the public hearing.