REGISTRATION OF ATHLETIC TRAINERS - S.B. 611: COMMITTEE SUMMARY

Senate Bill 611 (as introduced 6-11-01)

Sponsor: Senator Bev Hammerstrom

Committee: Economic Development, International Trade and Regulatory Affairs


Date Completed: 5-17-02


CONTENT


The bill would amend the Public Health Code to provide for the registration of athletic trainers. The bill would do all of the following:


-- Prohibit a person from using certain titles unless he or she was a registered athletic trainer.

-- Require that the Department of Consumer and Industry Services (DCIS) issue an athletic trainer registration to a person who met certain qualifications.

-- Require a registered athletic trainer, upon registration renewal, to submit proof of certain training and, beginning with a third registration renewal period, to meet certain continuing education requirements.

-- Establish application and registration fees.

-- Require the DCIS to promulgate rules establishing minimum registration standards.

-- Specify that the bill would not require new or additional third-party reimbursement for services rendered by a registered athletic trainer.


Under the bill, "registered athletic trainer" would mean an individual who engaged in the prevention, assessment, treatment, and rehabilitation of athletic injuries; was under the direction and supervision of a licensed allopathic physician or a licensed osteopathic physician; and was registered under the bill. "Athletic injury" would mean an injury sustained by an individual as a result of his or her participation in activities requiring physical strength, agility, flexibility, range of motion, speed, and stamina.


Registration


Under the Code, certain words, titles, or letters, or combinations of words, titles, or letters, may be used only by those people authorized under the Code to use them, and may be used only in a way prescribed by the Code. The bill would include in that provision the use of "athletic trainer", "registered athletic trainer", "certified athletic trainer", "athletic trainer certified", "A.T.", "A.T.R.", "C.A.T.", and "A.T.C.". Beginning on the bill's effective date, a person could not use those words, titles, or letters, or similar words that indicated that the person was a registered athletic trainer, unless he or she was registered as an athletic trainer under the bill.


The DCIS would have to issue an athletic trainer registration to a person who applied on a form provided by the Department, met the requirements for registration contained in rules promulgated under the bill, and paid the fees prescribed by the bill.


An annual registration could be renewed upon payment of the registration renewal fee and, beginning with the third renewal period after the bill's effective date, upon submission to the DCIS of proof of satisfactory completion of at least eight continuing education units within a three-year period in subjects related to athletic training and approved by the Department.


In addition to meeting the continuing education requirements, a registered athletic trainer would have to submit, along with his or her application for registration renewal, proof of both of the following to the DCIS's satisfaction:


-- That he or she had successfully completed a course of training in first aid, cardiopulmonary resuscitation, and foreign body obstruction of the airway approved by the DCIS and offered or approved by the American Red Cross, the American Heart Association, or a comparable organization.

-- That he or she held, at the time of application for renewal and at all times during the previous registration period, a valid certification in first aid and cardiopulmonary resuscitation issued by the organization offering training.


Fees


The bill would establish fees for a person registered or seeking registration as an athletic trainer. The application processing fee would be $20 and the annual registration fee would be $60.


Rules


The DCIS would have to promulgate rules establishing the minimum standards for registration as an athletic trainer. In promulgating those rules, the Department could consult the professional standards issued by the National Athletic Trainer's Association (NATA), the NATA board of certification, or another nationally recognized professional association.


MCL 333.16263 et al. - Legislative Analyst: Patrick Affholter


FISCAL IMPACT


The fiscal impact of this bill is indeterminate as there is no information regarding the number of applicants; therefore, it is difficult to determine what the costs of creating this new registration program would be.


- Fiscal Analyst: Maria TyszkiewiczS0102\s611sa

This analysis was prepared by nonpartisan Senate staff for use by the Senate in its deliberations and does not constitute an official statement of legislative intent.