Subject of Possible Rule Making: The occupational therapy practice board (board) is considering amendments to WAC 246-847-065 Continuing competency, to implement ESSB 5229 creating a health equity continuing education requirement.

Reasons Why Rules on this Subject may be Needed and What They Might Accomplish: The board is considering adopting rules to meet the mandate in the recently passed ESSB 5229 (chapter 276, Laws of 2021), codified as RCW 43.70.613, which requires adoption of continuing education in health equity for health care professionals by January 1, 2024.

By January 1, 2024, RCW 43.70.613(1) requires each health profession credentialed under RCW 18.130.040 with a continuing education (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 to create model rules establishing minimum standards for health equity CE. The board can either adopt the model rules or establish their own based on the minimum standards determined by WAC 246-12-800 through 246-12-830.

The goal of health equity CE training is 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 Kathy Weed, P.O. Box 47852, Olympia, WA 98504-7852, phone 360-236-4883, fax 360-236-2910, TTY 711, email kathy.weed@doh.wa.gov, website www.doh.wa.gov.

Additional comments: Rule development takes place in open public meetings prior to a formal rule proposal and comment period. All rule-making notices are sent via GovDelivery. To receive notices, interested persons may sign up by going to https://public.govdelivery.com/accounts/WADOH/subscriber/new. After signing up, please click open the box labeled "Health Systems Quality Assurance." Next, click open the box labeled "Health Professions," then check the box next to "Occupational Therapy."