SENATE BILL REPORT
SB 5308
As of January 24, 2023
Title: An act relating to athletic trainers.
Brief Description: Concerning athletic trainers.
Sponsors: Senators Cleveland and Rivers.
Brief History:
Committee Activity: Health & Long Term Care: 1/26/23.
Brief Summary of Bill
  • Allows licensed athletic trainers to administer medications as prescribed by an authorized health practitioner for the practice of athletic training.
SENATE COMMITTEE ON HEALTH & LONG TERM CARE
Staff: Andie Parnell (786-7439)
Background:

Athletic trainers are persons licensed by the Secretary of Health to provide:

  • risk management and prevention of athletic injuries;
  • recognition, evaluation, and assessment of athletic injuries;
  • immediate care of athletic injuries, including through the application of first-aid and emergency procedures;
  • treatment, rehabilitation, and reconditioning of athletic injuries in accordance with guidelines established with a licensed health care provider;
  • treatment, rehabilitation, and reconditioning of work-related injuries, under the direct supervision of, and in accordance with, a plan of care for an individual worker established by a provider authorized to provide physical medicine and rehabilitation services; and
  • referral of an athlete to an appropriately licensed health care provider if the athletic injury requires further definitive care, or the injury or condition is outside an athletic trainer's scope of practice.

 
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.

Summary of Bill:

An athletic trainer means a health care provider who is licensed by the Secretary of Health to practice athletic training. A licensed athletic trainer may purchase, store, and administer medications in accordance with the athletic trainer's pharmacological education and training, as prescribed by an authorized health care practitioner for the practice of athletic training.

Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Available.
Creates Committee/Commission/Task Force that includes Legislative members: No.
Effective Date: Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.