Title of Rule and Other Identifying Information: WAC 246-812-159001 Denturist health equity continuing competency training requirements. The board of denturists (board) is proposing new WAC 246-812-159001 to establish health equity continuing competency (CE) requirements to implement ESSB 5229 (chapter 276, Laws of 2021).

Hearing Location(s): On June 16, 2023, at 12:00 p.m., at Department of Labor and Industries, 7273 Linderson Way S.W., Room 130, Tumwater, WA 98501. Participants can also attend by webinar. Join on your computer, mobile app, or room device [contact agency for link], Meeting ID 211 842 535 413, Passcode hhgZ5g; or call in (audio only), +1 564-999-2000,,187424485# United States, Olympia, Phone Conference ID 187 424 485#.

Submit Written Comments to: Vicki Brown, P.O. Box 47852, Olympia, WA 98504-47852, email https://fortress.wa.gov/doh/policyreview, fax 360-236-2901, by June 9, 2023.

Assistance for Persons with Disabilities: Contact Vicki Brown, phone 360-236-4865, fax 360-236-2901, TTY 711, email vicki.brown@doh.wa.gov, by June 9, 2023.

Purpose of the Proposal and Its Anticipated Effects, Including Any Changes in Existing Rules: RCW 43.70.613 (3)(b) directs the rule-making authority for each health profession licensed under Title 18 RCW that is subject to continuing competency to adopt rules requiring a licensee to complete health equity continuing competency training at least once every four years. The statute also directs the department of health (department) to create model rules establishing the 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 of denturists must meet or exceed the minimum standards in the model rules in WAC 246-12-800 through 246-12-830.

The board is proposing new WAC 246-817-159001 to implement ESSB 5229. The board is proposing adopting the health equity model rules, WAC 246-12-800 through 246-12-830, for denturists to comply with RCW 43.70.613. The proposed rule adds two hours of health equity education, as required in the model rules, to be completed as part of the current continuing competency requirements every four years.

The proposed rule does not change total CE hours but requires two hours in health equity CE every four years which is absorbed into the existing number of CE hours required. The health equity CE requirement is counted under existing, unspecified CE requirements for the profession.

Reasons Supporting Proposal: The goal of health equity CE is to equip health care workers with the skills to recognize and reduce health inequities in their daily work. The content of health equity trainings include instruction on skills to address structural factors, such as bias, racism, and poverty, that manifests as health inequities. The content of health equity trainings includes implicit bias training to identify strategies to reduce bias during assessment and diagnosis in an effort to address structural factors, such as bias, racism, and poverty, that manifest as health inequities.

Two hours of training allows individuals to gain a foundation in health equity that can have an immediate positive impact on the professional's interaction with those receiving care. Health equity training enables health care professionals to care effectively for patients from diverse cultures, groups, and communities, varying race, ethnicity, gender identity, sexuality, religion, age, ability, socioeconomic status, and other categories of identity. The two hours of health equity CE credits may be earned as part of the health professional's existing CE requirements, therefore not requiring completion of additional CE hours.

A cost-benefit analysis is required under RCW 34.05.328. A preliminary cost-benefit analysis may be obtained by contacting Vicki Brown, Program Manager, Department of Health, P.O. Box 47852, Olympia, WA 98504-7852, phone 360-236-4865, fax 360-236-2901, TTY 711, email vicki.brown@doh.wa.gov.

(1) A licensed denturist must complete two hours in health equity continuing competency training every four years as described in WAC 246-12-800 through 246-12-830.

(2) The two hours of health equity continuing competency a licensed denturist completes counts toward meeting the applicable continuing competency requirements under WAC 246-812-159.