Bill Summary for Bill Number SB09-026

Date: 03/11/2009

Final
BILL SUMMARY for SB09-026

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON BUSINESS AFFAIRS AND LABOR

Votes: View-->	Action Taken:
Moved amendment L.005 (Attachment A). The motion Moved to refer Senate Bill 09-026, as amended, to	Pass Without Objection PASS

10:09 AM -- Senate Bill 09-026

Representative Riesberg, prime sponsor, presented Senate Bill 09-026 concerning the regulation of athletic trainers. Athletic trainers typically work with athletes in the identification, treatment, and prevention of injuries. The reengrossed bill requires individuals to register with the director of the Division of Registrations in the Department of Regulatory Agencies (DORA), in order to practice as an athletic trainer. Only individuals properly registered may use the title "athletic trainer" or otherwise represent themselves as such. In addition, the bill:

defines athletic trainers and the scope of their work;
specifies educational background, certifications, and examination requirements;
provides the DORA with the ability to set fees and schedule renewals of registrations;
establishes the grounds for disciplinary proceedings;
authorizes the director to take disciplinary actions, including required medical or psychological examinations; and
establishes a class 2 misdemeanor for conviction of the offense of practicing without an active registration.

The bill removes language giving the Board of Medical Examiners the authority to create rules and regulations concerning athletic trainers. This bill replaces, modifies, and expands upon existing statutory provisions. The program sunsets on July 1, 2015.

10:12 AM

Representative Riesberg talked about other states and held up a map that showed that the majority of states license athletic trainers and Senate Bill 09-026 would only register them. He mentioned that Colorado and Wyoming are the only states that do not regulate athletic trainers, but Wyoming introduced legislation to license athletic trainers this session that has passed both the House and the Senate and is currently on the Governor's desk. He walked the committee through the bill and talked about the exceptions included in the bill for student trainers, government employees, and traveling trainers.

10:20 AM -- Chris Mathewson, the Head Athletic Trainer at Ponderosa High School and President of the Colorado Athletic Trainers' Association, testified in support of the bill. Mr. Mathewson discussed the duties of athletic trainers and the problems created by their lack of regulation. He described the benefits of the regulations specified in the bill. Mr. Mathewson said on Friday, Wyoming's Governor signed their law and athletic trainers are now licensed in Wyoming. Representative Liston asked how many trainers are in the association. Mr. Mathewson stated that there are 556 trainers in the association and 706 certified trainers in the state.

10:26 AM -- Greg Holm, the head athletic trainer at Metro State College in Denver, representing the Colorado Athletic Trainers Association, testified in support of the bill. He talked about the education requirements and programs for athletic trainers in Colorado.

10:30 AM -- Jennifer Dougherty, a Certified Athletic Trainer and a representative of the Colorado Athletic Trainers' Association, testified in support of the bill. She stated that she is self-employed but cannot see patients until she receives referral and direction from a physician. She indicated that she is currently practicing in a "grey area," and that the bill would clarify her practice. She described her business, and noted that the bill would update regulations and would allow her to treat clients that she is not currently allowed to treat. Ms. Dougherty stated that the 2005 DORA report had indicated that the exemptions governing athletic trainers needed to be updated.

10:33 AM

Representative Riesberg discussed amendment L.005 (Attachment A).


BILL:	SB09-026
TIME:	10:35:15 AM
MOVED:	Soper
MOTION:	Moved amendment L.005 (Attachment A). The motion passed without objection.
SECONDED:	Gagliardi
		VOTE
	Balmer
	Bradford
	Gagliardi
	Liston
	Priola
	Ryden
	Scanlan	Excused
	Soper
	Stephens
	Casso
	Rice

Not Final YES: 0 NO: 0 EXC: 1 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: Pass Without Objection


BILL:	SB09-026
TIME:	10:36:02 AM
MOVED:	Gagliardi
MOTION:	Moved to refer Senate Bill 09-026, as amended, to the Committee on Appropriations. The motion passed 10-0.
SECONDED:	Casso
		VOTE
	Balmer	Yes
	Bradford	Yes
	Gagliardi	Yes
	Liston	Yes
	Priola	Yes
	Ryden	Yes
	Scanlan	Excused
	Soper	Yes
	Stephens	Yes
	Casso	Yes
	Rice	Yes

Final YES: 10 NO: 0 EXC: 1 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: PASS