The bill introduces a new section to chapter 18.130 RCW, mandating that all applicants for health care professional licensure, starting January 1, 2025, must provide specific demographic information, including race, ethnicity, gender, languages spoken, provider specialty, and practice locations. Additionally, license holders renewing their licenses after this date must also submit similar demographic information, with the stipulation that they only need to report changes after the initial submission. The bill ensures that the data collection aligns with existing categories for student-level data and prohibits the sale of this information to third parties.

Furthermore, the bill exempts applicants and licensees who are already required to provide demographic and practice information under other specified chapters of the RCW from these new requirements. This legislation aims to enhance the understanding of the health care workforce demographics in Washington State while safeguarding the privacy of the collected information.