OHA thanks those who commented on the proposed changes to the 409-030 rules governing the Health Profession Student Clinical Training program. Governor Brown recently directed the Public Health Division (PHD) to issue a temporary rule (see the PHD rulemaking page, and specifically 333-019 rulemaking, for more information) requiring COVID vaccination for all healthcare providers and healthcare staff with patient contact, including students.
As this temporary rule has the same intended purpose as the proposed amendment to 409-030, to avoid confusion OHA has decided to not move forward with the proposed rule change to 409-030. We are fully supportive of the Governor’s Temporary Order, which applies to students as well as providers, and offers clear requirements and a clear process for exemption from these requirements IN LIMITED INSTANCES for medical and religious purposes. OHA will consider whether a new rule amendment proposal is needed to align 409-030 program rules with the Governor’s stated goals of protecting patients and health care providers.