Read first time 01/09/2006.   Referred to Committee on Health & Long-Term Care.

     AN ACT Relating to multicultural education for health professionals; adding a new section to chapter 18.122 RCW; and creating a new section.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 1   The legislature finds that people of color experience significant disparities from the general population in education, employment, healthy living conditions, access to health care, and other social determinants of health. The legislature finds that it shall be a priority for the state to develop the knowledge, attitudes, and practice skills of health professionals and those working with diverse populations to achieve a greater understanding of the relationship between culture and health.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 2   A new section is added to chapter 18.122 RCW to read as follows:
     (1) Each education program with a curriculum to train health professionals for employment in a profession credentialed by a disciplining authority under chapter 18.130 RCW shall include instruction and assessment in multicultural health as part of its basic education preparation curriculum.
     (2) Each health professional regulatory authority authorized to establish continuing education requirements according to this title shall adopt rules that provide continuing education training in multicultural health. Each such health professional regulatory authority shall consult with a knowledgeable entity within a state institution of higher education specializing in health disparities and multicultural care or with the department of health in the development of these rules.