SB1533 Summary

• Requires health care professionals (dentists, nurses, optometrists, pharmacists, physicians, osteopathic physicians, and social workers) to complete cultural competency training prior to initial licensure and renewal.

• Mandates state professional boards to adopt rules specifying the number of training hours required for both initial licensure and continuing education requirements related to cultural competency.

• Allows state boards to grant waivers from cultural competency training requirements at their discretion.

• Requires training to address race and gender-based disparities in health care treatment decisions, with boards consulting nationally recognized professional organizations when developing rules.

• Effective November 1, 2014.