BILL NUMBER: S4360
SPONSOR: BAILEY
 
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 all medical
professionals; to amend the public health law, in relation to a public
health education program; to amend the insurance law, in relation to
requiring health maintenance organizations to provide funding for such
cultural awareness and competence training; and making an appropriation
therefor
 
PURPOSE OR GENERAL IDEA OF BILL:
To require cultural training for medical professionals looking to
fulfill their licensing requirements.
 
SUMMARY OF SPECIFIC PROVISIONS:
Requires cultural awareness and competence training for all medical
professionals as part of their licensing requirements. Such profes-
sionals must provide documentation demonstrating completion of course
work relevant to this provision. The bill allows for exemption from the
mandate if certain conditions are met.
 
JUSTIFICATION:
This bill will raise the competency of medical professionals through
cultural training during their licensing process. The cultural competen-
cy requirements described in the bill must be funded jointly by the
state and HMOs. Both HMOs and New York State hospitals will gain
improved health care outcomes through greater understanding of cultural
differences that exist among our diverse population.
 
PRIOR LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
2019-20: Referred to Finance
2021-22: Referred to Higher Education
2023-24: Referred to Finance
 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:
To be determined.
 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
Immediately.

Statutes affected:
S4360: 2805-k public health law, 2805-k(1) public health law, 206 public health law, 4310 insurance law, 4310(d) insurance law