WSR 23-16-075
PROPOSED RULES
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH
(Veterinary Board of Governors)
[Filed July 28, 2023, 8:21 a.m.]
Original Notice.
Preproposal statement of inquiry was filed as WSR 23-01-045.
Title of Rule and Other Identifying Information: Health equity continuing education (CE) for the veterinarian and veterinary technician profession; WAC 246-933-437 Veterinarian health equity continuing education training requirements, and 246-935-307 Veterinary technician health equity continuing education training requirements. The veterinary board of governors (board) is proposing new sections for licensed veterinarians and veterinary technicians to establish health equity CE to implement ESSB 5229 (chapter 276, Laws of 2021).
Hearing Location(s): On September 11, 2023, at 9:05 a.m., at the Department of Labor and Industries, 7273 Linderson Way S.W., Room S118/119, Tumwater, WA 98501; or virtual option. Join on your computer, mobile app, or room device https://gcc02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/ap/t-59584e83/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fteams.microsoft.com%2Fl%2Fmeetup-join%2F19%253ameeting_ODMxYTFhNmUtNWE5OC00OTBhLTk3OTktM2Q3OTRkMmE1NTc1%2540thread.v2%2F0%3Fcontext%3D%257b%2522Tid%2522%253a%252211d0e217-264e-400a-8ba0-57dcc127d72d%2522%252c%2522Oid%2522%253a%2522b0a413cc-861e-438f-ad33-52df6d9a4283%2522%257d&data=05%7C01%7CJennifer.Santiago%40doh.wa.gov%7Ce8161d9810ee400d922208daa180f1a7%7C11d0e217264e400a8ba057dcc127d72d%7C0%7C0%7C637999872425229961%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C3000%7C%7C%7C&sdata=2tr7BMYchw6UAcdFBBWdYWM4tiNH15zLf7Ouc1YUYjE%3D&reserved=0.
Date of Intended Adoption: September 11, 2023.
Submit Written Comments to: Melissa Green, P.O. Box 47852, Olympia, WA 98504, email https://fortress.wa.gov/doh/policyreview, fax 360-236-2901, by August 28, 2023.
Assistance for Persons with Disabilities: Contact Melissa Green, phone 360-236-2905, fax 360-236-2901, TTY 711, email melissa.green@doh.wa.gov, by August 28, 2023.
Purpose of the Proposal and Its Anticipated Effects, Including Any Changes in Existing Rules: The board is proposing new WAC 246-933-437 and 246-935-307 to implement ESSB 5229 requiring health equity CE hours. The board is proposing to adopt the health equity model rules in WAC 246-12-800 through 246-12-830 for veterinarians and veterinary technicians to comply with RCW
43.70.613. The proposed rule adds two hours of health equity education to be completed as part of the current CE requirements every four years without changing the existing total number of required CE hours.
Reasons Supporting Proposal: RCW
43.70.613 directs the rule-making authority for each health profession licensed under Title
18 RCW, subject to CE, to adopt rules requiring a licensee to complete health equity CE training at least once every four years. The statute also directs the department to establish model rules creating minimum standards for health equity CE training programs. The department filed model rules for health equity CE minimum standards on November 23, 2022, under WSR 22-23-167. Any rules developed for the board must meet or exceed the minimum standards in the model rules in 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 health equity trainings includes instruction on skills to address structural factors, such as bias, racism, and poverty, that manifest as health inequities.
Rule is not necessitated by federal law, federal or state court decision.
Name of Proponent: Veterinary board of governors, governmental.
Name of Agency Personnel Responsible for Drafting: Jennifer Santiago, 111 Israel Road S.E., Tumwater, WA 98501, 360-236-2985; Implementation and Enforcement: Melissa Green, 111 Israel Road S.E., Tumwater, WA 98501, 360-236-2905.
A school district fiscal impact statement is not required under RCW
28A.305.135.
A cost-benefit analysis is required under RCW
34.05.328. A preliminary cost-benefit analysis may be obtained by contacting Melissa Green, P.O. Box 47852, Olympia, WA 98504, phone 360-236-2905, fax 360-236-2901, TTY 711, email
melissa.green@doh.wa.gov.
This rule proposal, or portions of the proposal, is exempt from requirements of the Regulatory Fairness Act because the proposal:
Scope of exemption for rule proposal:
Is fully exempt.
July 27, 2023
Dordor Vang, DVM, Chair
Veterinary Board of Governors
OTS-4446.1
NEW SECTION
WAC 246-933-437Veterinarians health equity continuing education training requirements.
(1) Veterinarians must complete a minimum of two hours in health equity continuing education training every four years by complying with WAC 246-12-800 through 246-12-830.
(2) This training must be completed by the end of the second full continuing education reporting period after January 1, 2024, or the second full continuing education reporting period after initial licensure, whichever is later.
(3) The hours spent completing health equity continuing education under this section count toward meeting applicable continuing education requirements for veterinarian license renewal.
(4) The board may randomly audit up to 25 percent of licensed veterinarians every two years for compliance after the license is renewed as allowed by WAC 246-12-190.
OTS-4447.1
NEW SECTION
WAC 246-935-307Veterinary technicians health equity continuing education training requirements.
(1) Veterinary technicians must complete a minimum of two hours in health equity continuing education training every four years by complying with WAC 246-12-800 through 246-12-830.
(2) This training must be completed by the end of the second full continuing education reporting period after January 1, 2024, or the second full continuing education reporting period after initial licensure, whichever is later.
(3) The hours spent completing health equity continuing education under this section count toward meeting applicable continuing education requirements for veterinary technician license renewal.
(4) The board may randomly audit up to 25 percent of licensed veterinary technicians every two years for compliance after the license is renewed as allowed by WAC 246-12-190.