SEC/SB 600

Page 1

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

AN ACT

RELATING TO HEALTH; ESTABLISHING A TASK FORCE TO DESIGN

CULTURAL COMPETENCE EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS IN CERTAIN HEALTH

EDUCATION PROGRAMS.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO:

Section 1. TEMPORARY PROVISION--HEALTH EDUCATION

CULTURAL COMPETENCE TASK FORCE--HIGHER EDUCATION DEPARTMENT--

APPOINTMENT--DUTIES--REPORT.--

A. The secretary of higher education shall appoint

a task force on cultural competence composed of health

curricula specialists from two- and four-year public

post-secondary educational institutions; health

professionals; and representatives of the New Mexico health

policy commission, the department of health, the Indian

affairs department and the office on African American

affairs. Members shall be appointed with due regard for

geographic distribution and cultural and health-professional

diversity.

B. The task force shall study and make

recommendations on specific cultural competence curricula for

each health-related education field offered in New Mexico's

public post-secondary educational institutions. The

curricula shall ensure that students are provided knowledge

of cultural awareness and competence in their respective

SEC/SB 600

Page 2

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

health service field, including:

(1) cross-cultural communication;

(2) culturally and linguistically

appropriate health policy considerations;

(3) exploration of health beliefs and

explanatory models;

(4) culturally competent health care

delivery;

(5) health disparities, privilege and equity

factors in the health system; and

(6) culturally and linguistically competent

care supported by policy, administration and practice.

C. The curricula developed by the task force shall

be designed to be offered electronically and through various

distance-education models and media so as to minimize

duplication and expense for students and educational

institutions.

D. The task force shall review its findings and

recommendations with the legislative health and human services

committee by November 2007. The task force shall make its

final report to the governor, the legislature and the

presidents of the public post-secondary educational

institutions by December 15, 2007.