H.F. 4196 Summary

• Adds a new definition of "athletic training" encompassing prevention, wellness promotion, risk management, emergency care, examination and diagnosis, therapeutic intervention, and making clinical decisions about referrals within the scope of the athletic trainer's education.

• Expands athletic trainer scope of practice to treat patients beyond just athletes and removes restrictions limiting treatment to primary employment sites, allowing treatment in various settings.

• Changes terminology throughout the Athletic Trainers Act from "athlete" and "athletic injury" to "patient" to broaden the population athletic trainers may serve.

• Allows athletic trainers to evaluate and treat patients not previously diagnosed for up to 30 days (or longer as designated by a physician), with an exemption for patients referred by licensed medical professionals.

• Repeals the previous definitions of "athlete" and "athletic injury" in Minnesota Statutes section 148.7802, subdivisions 4 and 5.