08 LC 33
1744
House
Bill 943
By:
Representatives Marin of the
96th,
Floyd of the
99th,
and Thomas of the
100th
A
BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
AN ACT
To
amend Chapter 1 of Title 43 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating
to general provisions relative to professions and businesses, so as to require
continuing education in cultural competency for licensure of health care
professionals to address disparities in medical treatment decisions based on
race, ethnicity, and gender; to provide for legislative findings; to provide for
related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other
purposes.
BE
IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF GEORGIA:
SECTION
1.
Chapter
1 of Title 43 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to general
provisions relative to professions and businesses, is amended by adding a new
Code section to the end thereof to read as follows:
"43-1-32.
(a)
The General Assembly finds that there are disparities in the outcomes of health
care based on race, ethnicity, and gender. The General Assembly further finds
that cultural awareness and cultural competence are essential skills for
providing quality health care to a diverse patient population in this state.
The General Assembly declares that a public interest is served in providing
quality health care to all segments of society and that this dictates the need
for the cultural competency education of health care professionals in this
state.
(b)
The initial requirements and continuing competency requirements for licensure of
physicians, podiatrists, physicians´ assistants, chiropractors, dentists,
dental hygienists, registered professional nurses, and licensed practical nurses
pursuant to this chapter and for pharmacists pursuant to Chapter 4 of Title 26
shall include the completion of a course in cultural competency at least once
every two years; provided, however, that the respective professional licensing
board may in its discretion require completion of the course more frequently.
The respective professional licensing boards shall approve or design such a
course to address the problem of disparities in medical treatment decisions
based on race, ethnicity, and gender. The course shall include essential skills
for providing quality culturally competent health care to diverse patient
populations and shall be sufficient to update health care providers on new
research findings or national treatment guidelines related to health care
decisions based on race, ethnicity, and gender."
SECTION
2.
All
laws and parts of laws in conflict with this Act are repealed.