Subject of Possible Rule Making: Hearing and speech health equity continuing education. The board of hearing and speech (board) is considering amendments to WAC 246-828-510 Continuing education, and creating new sections to chapter 246-828 WAC to adopt the health equity continuing education (CE) model rules, WAC 246-12-800 through 246-12-830, and to 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), in consultation with the health profession boards and commissions, to create model rules establishing minimum standards for health equity CE programs. The department adopted model rules for health equity CE minimum standards on November 23, 2022, under WSR 22-23-167. 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 Kim-Boi Shadduck, Program Manager, P.O. Box 47852, Olympia, WA 98504, phone 360-236-2912, fax 360-236-2901, TTY 360-833-6388 or 711, email kimboi.shadduck@doh.wa.gov.

Additional comments: Interested parties can participate in the drafting of the proposed rules. The board will be conducting rules workshops with interested parties and subject matter experts. The department will use existing GovDelivery lists and other known contact information 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, select the "Subscribe" button at the bottom of the page, select "Health Professions," and then select "Board of Hearing and Speech" and any other topics you wish to follow.