Existing law provides that the State Board of Health shall require, by regulation, a medical facility, facility for the dependent and certain other facilities to conduct training relating specifically to cultural competency for any agent or employee of the facility so that such an agent or employee may better understand patients or residents who have different cultural backgrounds, including, without limitation, patients or residents who are: (1) from various racial and ethnic backgrounds; (2) from various religious backgrounds; (3) persons with various sexual orientations and gender identities or expressions; (4) children and senior citizens; (5) persons with a mental or physical disability; and (6) part of any other population that such an agent or employee may need to better understand. Such training relating to cultural competency must be provided through a course or program that is approved by the Department of Health and Human Services. (NRS 449.103) Section 1 of this bill: (1) requires the Board to set forth by regulation the frequency with which such a facility is required to conduct the training relating to cultural competency; and (2) creates an exception to the requirement to provide such training if an agent or employee of the facility has successfully completed a course or program of cultural competency as part of the continuing education requirements for the agent or employee to renew his or her professional license, registration or certificate, as applicable. Section 1 further limits the requirement to receive training relating to cultural competency to agents and employees who: (1) provide clinical, administrative or support services and regularly have direct patient contact as part of their regular job duties; or (2) oversee such agents or employees. Section 1 further requires the Office of Minority Health and Equity of the Department of Health and Human Services to: (1) establish and maintain a list of courses and programs on cultural competency that are approved for training relating to cultural competency; (2) make the most current list available on the Internet website of the Office; and (3) ensure that the list is distributed to each facility required to conduct the training on cultural competency. Finally, section 1: (1) authorizes a facility to apply to the Department to provide a course or program on cultural competency that is not already approved by the Department; and (2) requires the Department to report annually to certain joint interim committees of the Legislature the average length of time within which the Department approved a course or program of training in the immediately preceding year. Existing law requires, as a prerequisite for the renewal of a license, a nurse, psychologist, marriage and family therapist, clinical professional counselor, social worker or behavior analyst to complete at least 2 hours of instruction relating to cultural competency and diversity, equity and inclusion. (NRS 632.343, 641.220, 641A.260, 641B.280, 641D.360) Existing law requires, as a prerequisite for the renewal of a license or certificate, an alcohol and drug counselor or problem gambling counselor to complete at least 1 hour of instruction relating to cultural competency and diversity, equity and inclusion. (NRS 641C.450) Section 3 of this bill requires a nurse to complete at least 4 hours of such instruction. Sections 5-7 of this bill require a psychologist, marriage and family therapist, clinical professional counselor or social worker to complete at least 6 hours of instruction relating to cultural competency and diversity, equity and inclusion. Section 8 of this bill requires an alcohol and drug counselor or problem gambling counselor to complete at least 3 hours of instruction relating to cultural competency and diversity, equity and inclusion. Section 9 of this bill requires a behavior analyst to complete at least 6 hours of instruction relating to cultural competency and diversity, equity and inclusion.

Statutes affected:
As Introduced: 449.103, 630.253, 632.343, 633.471, 641.220, 641A.260, 641B.280, 641C.450, 641D.360
Reprint 1: 449.103, 632.343, 641.220, 641A.260, 641B.280, 641C.450, 641D.360
Reprint 2: 449.103, 632.343, 641.220, 641A.260, 641B.280, 641C.450, 641D.360
As Enrolled: 449.103, 632.343, 641.220, 641A.260, 641B.280, 641C.450, 641D.360
BDR: 449.103, 630.253, 632.343, 633.471, 641.220, 641A.260, 641B.280, 641C.450, 641D.360