BILL ANALYSIS Ó
AB 864
Page 1
Date of Hearing: May 15, 2013
ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS
Mike Gatto, Chair
AB 864 (Skinner) - As Amended: April 29, 2013
Policy Committee: Business,
Professions and Consumer Protection Vote: 11-1
Urgency: No State Mandated Local Program:
No Reimbursable: No
SUMMARY
This bill establishes the Athletic Training Practice Act (Act)
to license and regulate athletic trainers (ATs) through the
creation of an Athletic Trainer Licensing Committee (Committee)
under the Physical Therapy Board of California (Board), to
commence on July 1, 2014 and expire on January 1, 2019. Defines
AT scope of practice, authorizes the Committee to develop
regulations based on specified criteria, and requires ATs to
practice under the direction of a physician and surgeon licensed
by the Medical Board of California or an osteopathic physician
and surgeon licensed by the Osteopathic Medical Board (OMB).
FISCAL EFFECT
Initial costs of at least $500,000 to establish the committee,
develop regulations, and begin evaluating applicants. Annual
costs of approximately $200,000 to $400,000, depending on the
number of applicants and licensees. Funding would eventually be
supported by fees; however the source of start-up funds is not
clear.
COMMENTS
1)Rationale . The AT licensure created by this bill gives the
Committee powers similar to other licensing boards under the
Department of Consumer Affairs to promulgate regulations,
approve training and educational programs, investigate
applicants and issue licenses, and order disciplinary measures
up to and including license suspension. This bill is sponsored
by the California Athletic Trainers' Association (CATA).
AB 864
Page 2
According to the author, athletic training is recognized by
the American Medical Association as an allied health care
profession similar to physical therapy and occupational
therapy ATs practice today without regulation. Forty-eight
other states regulate ATs because of the inherent risk in
practicing without oversight.
2)Concerns . This bill is opposed by organizations representing
nurses, physical therapists, occupational therapists, and
teachers as well as numerous individuals. Primary concerns
focus on the existence of already qualified healing arts
practitioners and the proposed scope of practice, viewed by
opponents as very broad.
3)Previous legislation . Numerous bills have been introduced in
the last 10 years to provide licensure, title protection, or
registration for ATs. One bill would have required a state
review of the need for licensure. About half of these bills
died in various committees and about half were vetoed. Most
recently, SB 1273 (Lowenthal) of 2012 , which was very similar
to this bill, failed passage in the Senate Business and
Professions Committee.
Analysis Prepared by : Debra Roth / APPR. / (916) 319-2081