Erin Ryan · May 12, 2016

Legislation: Ohio House Bill 514 – Health Care Professionals (Cultural Competency)

Bill: House Bill 514 (full text) Title: Cultural Competency for Health Care Professionals Sponsors: Representative Sykes Co-Sponsors: Representatives Sprague, Strahorn, Leland, Antonio, Fedor, Reece, Ramos, Craig, Ashford, Boggs, Boyd, Howse, Sheehy, and Bishoff Bill Analysis: This legislation would require certain health care professionals to complete instruction in cultural competency.  The health care professionals that would be impacted by this bill include those seeking to practice or continue practicing as dentists, registered nurses, licensed practical nurses, optometrists, pharmacists, physicians, psychologists, independent social workers, and social work assistants. The bill is aimed at helped to eliminate health care disparities among racial, ethnic, and cultural communities by requiring cultural competency training of health care professionals to better communication and respect of culture between the provider and their patients. Status: The bill was introduced in the House on April 12, 2016.  It was referred to the House Commerce and Labor Committee on April 26, 2016. It received a Committee hearing on May 3, 2016.