ATHLETIC TRAINER LICENSING REVISIONS                                              H.B. 5419 (H-1):

                                                                                                    SUMMARY OF BILL

                                                                                      REPORTED FROM COMMITTEE

House Bill 5419 (Substitute H-1 as reported without amendment)

Sponsor:  Representative Andrea LaFontaine

House Committee:  Regulatory Reform

Senate Committee:  Regulatory Reform

CONTENT

The bill would amend the Public Health Code to reduce the per-year fee for licensure as an athletic trainer and revise the continuing education requirements for renewal of an athletic trainer license. The bill also would provide for supervision of athletic training activities by a dentist or podiatrist, in addition to a physician.

Currently, the fees for a person licensed or seeking licensure as an athletic trainer include a $75 application processing fee and a $200 per-year license fee. (A license is issued for a three-year cycle.) Under the bill, the per-year license fee would be $100.

The Code requires the Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA) to promulgate rules providing for at least 80 hours of continuing education within each three-year license cycle. Under the bill, the rules would have to require at least 75 hours. An athletic trainer must submit proof satisfactory to LARA that he or she has successfully completed a course of training in first aid, CPR, and foreign body obstruction of the airway. The bill would delete the requirement for training in foreign body obstruction of the airway and would require that a renewal applicant submit proof of having successfully completed a course of training in automated external defibrillator use.

MCL 333.16336 et al.                                                Legislative Analyst:  Patrick Affholter

FISCAL IMPACT

The bill would have a negative fiscal impact on the Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs, and no fiscal impact on local units of government. There are currently approximately 1,150 licensed athletic trainers in Michigan. At the current fee level of $200 per year, these licenses generate approximately $230,000 each year. The bill would reduce the fee level by half, which would result in the loss of about $115,000 in fees each year. According to a report from LARA, administrative costs allocated to licensure of athletic trainers within the Bureau of Health Care Services were about $50,000 for fiscal year 2012-13. The bill, then, would not cause an operational deficit with respect to the licensure of athletic trainers; the reduction in revenue would simply reduce a surplus of funds from these license fees, which, along with surpluses from a number of other types of license fees, are effectively subsidizing the licensure of other types of health professionals.

Date Completed:  12-9-14                                                     Fiscal Analyst:  Josh Sefton

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.