ATHLETIC TRAINER LICENSING REVISIONS

House Bill 5419 (proposed Substitute H-1)

Sponsor:  Rep. Andrea LaFontaine

Committee:  Regulatory Reform

Complete to 9-15-14

A REVISED SUMMARY OF HOUSE BILL 5419 (PROPOSED SUBSTITUTE H-1)

House Bill 5419 would revise sections of the Public Health Code dealing the licensing of athletic trainers in the following ways:

o                   The annual license fee would be reduced from $200 to $100 (MCL 333.16336).

o                   Currently, athletic trainers are required to operate "under the direction and supervision" of individuals licensed under Part 170 (medicine) and Part 175 (osteopathic medicine and surgery). The bill would amend this requirement by changing "under the direction and supervision" to "under the direction, on the prescription of, or in collaboration with" individuals licensed under Part 166 (dentistry), Part 180 (podiatric medicine and surgery), as well as Parts 170 and 175. The act also states several medical disciplines which are not included in the practice of athletic training. The practice of dentistry would be added to that list. (MCL 333.17901)  As introduced, the bill included a reference to Part 164 (chiropractic).  The substitute eliminates that reference.

o                   The number of continuing education hours required within each three-year licensing cycle would be reduced to 75 hours from 80 hours.

o                   To renew an athletic trainer license, an individual would have to provide proof of completion of a course of training on automated external defibrillator use for health care professionals or emergency services personnel.  The bill would remove the requirement for a course on "foreign body obstruction of an airway."  It retains the requirement for courses on first aid and cardiopulmonary resuscitation. (MCL 333.17906)

BACKGROUND INFORMATION:

In the Public Health Code, the practice of athletic training means the treatment of an individual for risk management and injury prevention, the clinical evaluation and assessment of an individual for an injury or illness, the immediate care and treatment of an individual for an injury or illness, and the rehabilitation and reconditioning of an individual's injury or illness, as long as those activities are within the rules promulgated by the Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs under the code. The practice of athletic training does not include the practice of physical therapy, the practice of medicine, the practice of osteopathic medicine and surgery, the practice of chiropractic, or medical diagnosis or treatment.

FISCAL IMPACT:

House Bill 5419 would have a negative fiscal impact on the Bureau of Health Care Services (BHCS) within the Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA) resultant from the reduction of the annualized licensure fee from $200 to $100. According to LARA, there were 1,155 licensees as of 01/02/14 annually generating $231,000 in revenue, resulting in $174,456 of net revenue above the annualized total costs of $56,544 to administer and enforce the licensure requirements.

                                                                                           Legislative Analyst:   Josh Roesner

                                                                                                  Fiscal Analyst:   Paul Holland

■ This analysis was prepared by nonpartisan House staff for use by House members in their deliberations, and does not constitute an official statement of legislative intent.