What's happening
Writing a plain-English summary… Track this bill to get it by email.
Why it matters
Albany, before your first meeting.
Every bill that moved yesterday, summarized in a sentence and ranked by impact. The Albany Scorecard follows on Sundays.
Free. Unsubscribe in one click. Want alerts on specific bills? Create an account.
Who cares
Headline styles
Sponsors
History
- Print number 954a
- Amend and recommit to higher education
- Referred to higher education
- Referred to higher education
Companion bill
The same bill in the other chamber. A bill becomes law when one version passes both houses and the governor signs it, so either number can carry it.
Requires cultural awareness and competence training for medical professionals
In Assembly Committee · Higher Education · Sponsor Robert J. Rodriguez
Full text
The text isn't available here yet. Check nysenate.gov.
Sponsor's memo
Title of bill
An act to amend the education law and the public health law, in relation to requiring cultural awareness and competence training for medical professionals
Purpose or general idea of bill
This bill will create a system of cultural competency course work and training that will help healthcare professionals improve their interactions with minority patients. In doing so, this bill seeks to improve the quality of healthcare in the state of New York.
Summary of specific provisions
Adds section 6505-d to the education law to establish training in cultural awareness and competence for medical professionals.
Section 1:
1) Lists medical professionals subject and establishes the content and requirements for cultural competency training and course work.
2) Defines "acceptable formal continuing education".
3) Establishes reporting requirements by medical professionals.
4) Provides exemptions from cultural competency course work and training
5) Establishes a fee of five dollars.
6) Allows the commissioner to promulgate such rules as requires to establish this program successfully, and guards against false reporting from professionals.
Section 2:
1) Establishes that hospitals and other healthcare facilities shall not knowingly provide employment to individuals that have not completed the necessary course work and training.
Justification
New York State is one of the most diverse states in the nation, with large populations of historically marginalized groups. It is a well documented fact that often members of these minority groups fare far worse in many indices of health and well-being.
Disparities in access to quality healthcare are one major component of the discrepancies in general health. This bill seeks to close the gap by ensuring that medical professionals that serve minority populations are able to provide culturally sensitive care.
By promoting and funding culturally and linguistically sensitive practices by healthcare professionals, the legislature can help to enhance the quality of healthcare services in underserved communities. This legislation will play a crucial role in ending statewide health disparities among minority populations.
Prior legislative history
2008: S.7270 - Referred to Higher Education
2009-2010: S.1328B - Reported and Committed to codes Assembly Referred to Higher Education 2011-2012: S.2743A - Amended and Recommitted to Higher Education 2013-2014: S.925- Referred to Higher Education
Fiscal implications
No immediate costs to the state. The possibility exists for long term savings in health care costs as minority populations receive better preventative care.
Effective date
This act shall take effect immediately.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.