SENATE BILL REPORT

SB 5688

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.

As Reported by Senate Committee On:

Health & Long Term Care, February 22, 2019

Title: An act relating to athletic trainers.

Brief Description: Concerning athletic trainers.

Sponsors: Senators Cleveland, Walsh and Becker.

Brief History:

Committee Activity: Health & Long Term Care: 2/22/19, 2/22/19 [DPS].

Brief Summary of First Substitute Bill

  • Restricts the use of the term athletic trainer to licensed athletic trainers.

  • Allow athletic trainers to purchase, store, and administer over-the-counter medications.

  • Requires athletic trainers to complete a one-time training in suicide assessment, treatment, and management.

SENATE COMMITTEE ON HEALTH & LONG TERM CARE

Majority Report: That Substitute Senate Bill No. 5688 be substituted therefor, and the substitute bill do pass.

Signed by Senators Cleveland, Chair; Randall, Vice Chair; O'Ban, Ranking Member; Bailey, Becker, Conway, Dhingra, Frockt, Keiser, Rivers and Van De Wege.

Staff: Greg Attanasio (786-7410)

Background: Athletic trainers are licensed by the Department of Health to provide:

Summary of Bill: The bill as referred to committee not considered.

Summary of Bill (First Substitute): No person may use the title "athletic trainer," the letters "ATC" or "LAT," the terms "sports trainer," "team trainer," "trainer," or any other words, abbreviations, or insignia in connection with their name to indicate or imply, directly or indirectly, they are an athletic trainer without being licensed as an athletic trainer.

A personal or fitness trainer employed by an athletic club or fitness center may not perform any of the duties of a licensed athletic trainer except performing risk management and prevention of athletic injuries through preactivity screening and evaluation, educational programs, physical conditioning and reconditioning programs, application of commercial products, use of protective equipment, promotion of healthy behaviors, and reduction of environmental risks.

An athletic trainer may purchase, store, and administer over-the-counter medications such as pain relievers, hydrocortisone, fluocinonide, topical anesthetics, silver sulfadiazine, lidocaine, magnesium sulfate, zinc oxide, and other similar medications, as prescribed by an authorized health care practitioner for the practice of athletic training. An athletic trainer may not administer any medications to a student in a public or private school, but may administer over-the-counter medications to a minor in other settings with written consent from the minor's parent or guardian. An athletic trainer who has completed an anaphylaxis training program may administer an epinephrine autoinjector.

Athletic trainers must complete a one-time training in suicide assessment, treatment, and management.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Not requested.

Creates Committee/Commission/Task Force that includes Legislative members: No.

Effective Date: Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.

Staff Summary of Public Testimony on First Substitute: PRO: Athletic trainers are often the entry point into health care system. The bill strengthen title protection so only those licensed can use the term and makes sure that everyone identifying themselves as an athletic trainer has the proper training.

Persons Testifying: PRO: Senator Annette Cleveland, Prime Sponsor; Jennifer Carrol, President, Washington State Athletic Trainers' Association; Dana Gunter, Washington State Athletic Trainer.

Persons Signed In To Testify But Not Testifying: No one.