Subject of Possible Rule Making: Chapter 246-830 WAC. The board of massage (board), in coordination with the department of health (department), 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. The board will also consider whether additional 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 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 equip health care workers with the skills to recognize and reduce health inequities in their daily work. 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.

Interested parties can participate in the decision to adopt the new rule and formulation of the proposed rule before publication by contacting Megan Maxey, P.O. Box 47852, Olympia, WA 98504-7852, phone 360-236-4945, fax 360-236-2901, TTY 711, email megan.maxey@doh.wa.gov, website www.doh.wa.gov/massage, https://public.govdelivery.com/accounts/WADOH/subscriber/new.

Additional comments: Interested parties can participate in the drafting of the proposed rules. Rules workshops will be conducted with interested parties and subject matter experts. Existing GovDelivery lists and other known contact information will be used to inform interested parties of opportunities to provide input on proposed rule language. To find out more information about our rule making, visit www.doh.wa.gov. To subscribe to GovDelivery, please visit www.doh.wa.gov and select the "Subscribe" button at the bottom of the page. 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 "Board of Massage." You may also check the box next to one or more of the other professions listed to receive information related to that specific profession.