To enact section 4743.08 of the Revised Code to require certain health care professionals to complete instruction in cultural competency.

Section 1. That section 4743.08 of the Revised Code be enacted to read as follows:

Sec. 4743.08. (A) As used in this section:

(1) "Applicant" means an individual who applies for licensure, certification, or registration, as applicable, to practice as a health care professional.

(2) "Health care professional" means all of the following:

(a) A dentist licensed by the state dental board under Chapter 4715. of the Revised Code;

(b) A registered nurse or licensed practical nurse licensed by the board of nursing under Chapter 4723. of the Revised Code;

(c) An optometrist licensed by the state board of optometry under Chapter 4725. of the Revised Code;

(d) A pharmacist licensed by the state board of pharmacy under Chapter 4729. of the Revised Code;

(e) A physician authorized to practice medicine and surgery or osteopathic medicine and surgery by the state medical board under Chapter 4731. of the Revised Code, including an ophthalmologist;

(f) A psychologist licensed by the state board of psychology under Chapter 4732. of the Revised Code;

(g) An independent social worker, social worker, or social work assistant licensed or registered by the counselor, social worker, and marriage and family therapist board under Chapter 4757. of the Revised Code.

(3) "State board" means the state dental board, the board of nursing, the state board of optometry, the state board of pharmacy, the state medical board, the state board of psychology, or the counselor, social worker, and marriage and family therapist board.

(B) Except as provided in division (C) of this section, to be eligible to receive or renew licensure, certification, or registration, as applicable, each applicant or health care professional shall submit to the appropriate state board evidence that the applicant or professional has successfully completed the board's requirements for instruction or continuing education in cultural competency, as those requirements are established by the board in rules adopted under division (D) of this section.

(C) A state board may grant an applicant or health care professional a waiver of the board's requirements for instruction or continuing education in cultural competency if the applicant or professional meets the criteria established by the board in rules adopted under division (D) of this section.

(D) In accordance with Chapter 119. of the Revised Code, each state board shall adopt rules that establish all of the following:

(1) The number of hours of instruction in cultural competency an applicant must complete to be eligible to receive licensure, certification, or registration from the board;

(2) The number of hours of continuing education in cultural competency required for renewal of licensure, certification, or registration by the board;

(3) The criteria that will be considered by the board in deciding whether to grant an applicant or health care professional a waiver of the requirement to complete instruction or continuing education in cultural competency, including demonstration to the board's satisfaction that the applicant or professional has attained experience that is substantially equivalent to the required number of hours of instruction or continuing education in cultural competency.

(E) In developing the rules described in division (D) of this section, each board shall consider the problems of race and gender-based disparities in health care treatment decisions and consult with one or more professionally relevant and nationally recognized organizations, or similar entities, that review the curricula offered by the applicable health care professional schools, colleges, and other educational institutions.

(F) Not later than ninety days after the effective date of this section, each state board shall approve one or more continuing education courses addressing cultural competency in health care treatment. To be approved, a course must include instruction in addressing the problems of race and gender-based disparities in health care treatment decisions. The board may approve courses that are included within continuing education programs certified by professional associations or similar entities.