Washington State

House of Representatives

Office of Program Research

BILL

ANALYSIS

Health Care & Wellness Committee

HB 2430

This analysis was prepared by non-partisan legislative staff for the use of legislative members in their deliberations. This analysis is not a part of the legislation nor does it constitute a statement of legislative intent.

Brief Description: Concerning athletic trainers.

Sponsors: Representatives Riccelli, Schmick and Ormsby.

Brief Summary of Bill

  • Defines "athletic training" for purposes of the law regulating athletic trainers to include treatment, rehabilitation, and reconditioning of work-related injuries in accordance with guidelines established with a licensed health care provider.

  • Permits the Department of Health to establish continuing education requirements for athletic trainers.

Hearing Date: 1/23/14

Staff: Alexa Silver (786-7190).

Background:

The Department of Health (Department) licenses, establishes standards for, and disciplines athletic trainers. It is unlawful to practice or offer to practice as an athletic trainer without being licensed.

"Athletic training" means a licensed athletic trainer's application of the following principles:

"Athletic training" does not include most orthotic or prosthetic services, any medical diagnosis, prescribing drugs, or surgery. "Athletic injury" means an injury or condition sustained by an athlete that affects participation or performance in exercise, recreation, sport, or games. The injury or condition must be within the professional preparation and education of the athletic trainer.

Except as necessary to provide emergency care, an athletic trainer may not provide treatment, rehabilitation, or reconditioning services except as provided in guidelines established with a licensed health care provider (specifically, a physician, physician assistant, osteopathic physician, osteopathic physician assistant, advanced registered nurse practitioner, naturopath, physical therapist, chiropractor, dentist, massage practitioner, acupuncturist, occupational therapist, or podiatric physician and surgeon). If a patient's condition does not improve within 15 days, the athletic trainer must refer the athlete to a licensed health care provider. If an athletic injury requires treatment for more than 45 days, the athletic trainer must consult with or refer the athlete to a licensed health care provider.

The Department has authority to develop and administer examinations, issue licenses, and adopt rules to implement the athletic trainer law.

Summary of Bill:

"Athletic training" includes treatment, rehabilitation, and reconditioning of work-related injuries by an athletic trainer in accordance with guidelines established with a licensed health care provider. If there is no improvement in a worker who has sustained a work-related injury within 15 days of beginning treatment, the athletic trainer must refer the worker to a licensed health care provider. If a work-related injury requires more than 45 days of treatment, the athletic trainer must consult with or refer the worker to a licensed health care provider.

The Department of Health may establish continuing education requirements for athletic trainers.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Requested on January 20, 2014.

Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of the session in which the bill is passed.