Bill > SB458

This bill expands existing training requirements for health care professionals seeking license or certificate renewal by mandating that they complete both implicit bias and structural racism training programs, rather than just implicit bias training. The bill defines structural racism as a comprehensive system of interconnected societal mechanisms that foster racial discrimination across various domains like housing, education, employment, healthcare, and criminal justice. Health occupation boards will now require applicants to attest to completing a training program approved by the Cultural and Linguistic Health Care Professional Competency Program, which will identify and approve such programs in coordination with the Office of Minority Health and Health Disparities. The requirement will apply only to an applicant's first license or certificate renewal after April 1, 2026, with a transitional provision for earlier renewals. Additionally, health occupations boards may allow applicants to receive continuing education credits for completing these training programs. The bill intends that the structural racism training be developed using funding from a grant provided to the Maryland Nurses Association by the American Nurses Association to advance antiracism efforts, with the legislation set to take effect on October 1, 2025.

Budget and Finance, Government Affairs

https://mgaleg.maryland.gov/mgawebsite/Legislation/Details/SB0458?ys=2025RS