HB314: HB314 Professions and businesses; athletic trainers; revise and update definitions

25 LC 46 1091S House Bill 314 (COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE) By: Representatives LaHood of the 175th, Powell of the 33rd, Jasperse of the 11th, Cannon of the 172nd, and Sharper of the 177th A BILL TO BE ENTITLED AN ACT To amend Chapter 5 of Title 43 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to1 athletic trainers, so as to revise and update definitions; to eliminate obsolete provisions; to2 require athletic training students to be under the direct supervision of a physician or licensed3 athletic trainer; to revise and update certification requirements; to provide for related matters;4 to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.5 BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF GEORGIA:6 SECTION 1.7 Chapter 5 of Title 43 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to athletic trainers,8 is amended by revising Code Section 43-5-1, relating to definitions, as follows:9 "43-5-1.10 As used in this chapter, the term:11 (1) 'Athletic injury' means any injury condition sustained by a person as a result of such12 person's participation in exercises, sports, games, or recreati onal activities, or any13 activities requiring physical strength, agility, flexibility, r ange of motion, speed, or14 stamina without respect to where or how the injury condition occurs. Nothing in this15 paragraph shall be construed to expand the scope of practice of an athletic trainer beyond16 H. B. 314 (SUB) - 1 - 25 LC 46 1091S the determination of the advising and consenting physician as p rovided for in17 paragraph (2) of this Code section.18 (2) 'Athletic trainer' means a person with specific qualificat ions, as set forth in Code19 Sections 43-5-7 and 43-5-8 who, upon the advice and consent of a physician, carries out20 the practice of prevention, recognition, evaluation, management, disposition, treatment,21 or rehabilitation of athletic injuries; and, in carrying out th ese functions, the athletic22 trainer is authorized to use physical modalities, such as heat, light, sound, cold,23 electricity, or mechanical devices related to prevention, recog nition, evaluation,24 management, disposition, rehabilitation, and treatment. Nothin g in this Code section25 shall be construed to require licensure of elementary or second ary school teachers,26 coaches, or authorized volunteers who do not hold themselves out to the public as athletic27 trainers.28 (3) 'Board' means the Georgia Board of Athletic Trainers."29 SECTION 2.30 Said chapter is further amended by revising Code Section 43-5-6, relating to general powers31 and duties of the Georgia Board for Athletic Trainers, as follows:32 "43-5-6.33 (a) The board is authorized to promulgate and adopt rules and regulations consistent with34 this chapter which are necessary for the performance of its duties.35 (b) The board shall prescribe application forms for license applications.36 (c) The board shall establish guidelines for athletic trainers in the state and prepare and37 conduct an approve a certification examination for applicants for a license.38 (d) The board shall adopt an official seal and the form of a license certificate of suitable39 design."40 H. B. 314 (SUB) - 2 - 25 LC 46 1091S SECTION 3.41 Said chapter is further amended by revising Code Section 43-5-7 , relating to license42 requirement for persons engaged as athletic trainers, as follows:43 "43-5-7.44 No person shall hold himself or herself out as an athletic trainer or perform the services of45 an athletic trainer, as defined in this chapter, without first obtaining a license under this46 chapter. Nothing; provided, however, that nothing in this chapter shall be construed to47 prevent any person enrolled in an accredited athletic training educational program48 recognized by the board from serving as a student-trainer, assistant-trainer, or any similar49 position an athletic training student if such service is not primarily for compensation50 following the accredited program's standards for clinical education and is carried out under51 the direct supervision of a physician or a licensed athletic trainer. As used in this Code52 section, the term 'direct supervision' means that the supervising athletic trainer or physician53 is physically present in the facility where athletic training students assisting with athletic54 training services are located and is immediately available to a ssist the person being55 supervised."56 SECTION 4.57 Said chapter is further amended by revising Code Section 43-5-8, relating to qualifications58 of applicants and reciprocity, as follows:59 "43-5-8.60 (a) An applicant for an athletic trainer's license must have m et the athletic training61 curriculum requirements of a college or university approved shall be a graduate of an62 accredited educational program that prepares athletic trainers recognized by the board and63 give proof of graduation or shall submit, in a manner prescribed by the board, equivalent64 educational credentials as approved by the board.65 H. B. 314 (SUB) - 3 - 25 LC 46 1091S (b) The board shall be authorized to grant a license, without examination, to any qualified66 athletic trainer holding a license in another state if such other state recognizes licensees of67 this state in the same manner.68 (c) The board may grant a license without examination to any q ualified applicant who69 holds a certification from the National Athletic Trainers Board of Certification Board of70 Certification for the Athletic Trainer or its successor.71 (d) Any person who was issued a license prior to July 1, 2004, shall remain qualified for72 licensure, notwithstanding the requirement for proof of graduation in subsection (a) of this73 Code section, so long as the license remains current."74 SECTION 5.75 All laws and parts of laws in conflict with this Act are repealed.76 H. B. 314 (SUB) - 4 -