SB 356 Summary

• Expands the definition of "athletic training" to include clinical evaluation and assessment, management, emergency care, disposition, acute and chronic injuries, casting, aquatic therapy, recognition of potential illness, and wellness care services for asymptomatic individuals.

• Changes terminology throughout the statute from "athlete" to "physically active individual" and from "athlete's" to "individual's" to broaden the scope of athletic training services beyond formal athletes to regular recreational participants (defined as those participating at least three times per week).

• Requires athletic trainers practicing under standing orders to refer patients to licensed health care providers if symptoms have not improved after four days or if conditions require evaluation beyond athletic training scope.

• Requires athletic trainers practicing without standing orders to perform only initial evaluation and temporary splinting/bracing, then immediately refer patients to licensed health care providers (unless referred by a health care provider).

• Eliminates the grandfather clause that allowed grandfathered licensure for individuals providing athletic training services continuously since October 1, 1979, effective October 1, 2016.