Athletic trainers.

Existing law provides for the licensure and regulation of various professions and vocations. This bill would enact the Athletic Training Practice Act, which would establish the Athletic Trainer Board, until January 1, 2025, within the Department of Consumer Affairs to exercise licensing, regulatory, and disciplinary functions under the act. On or after January 1, 2021, the bill would prohibit a person from practicing as an athletic trainer or using certain titles or terms without being registered with the board. The bill would define the practice of athletic training, and would specify requirements for registration as an athletic trainer, including graduating from a professional degree program in athletic training, and would require a registrant to render athletic training services only under the supervision of a physician and surgeon or osteopathic physician and surgeon. The bill would provide that a registration to practice as an athletic trainer would be valid for 2 years and subject to renewal, would authorize the board to deny, suspend, or revoke a registration for specified reasons, and would establish procedures for the referral of complaints. The bill would specify acts that constitute unprofessional conduct and would make it a misdemeanor for any person to violate the act. The bill would establish the Athletic Trainers' Fund for the deposit of application and renewal fees, as specified, and would make those fees available to the board for the purpose of implementing these provisions upon appropriation by the Legislature. The bill would authorize the Director of Consumer Affairs to seek and receive donations from the California Athletic Trainers Association or any other private person or entity or to obtain loans from existing state funds, as specified, for purposes of obtaining funds for the startup costs of implementing the act. By creating a new crime, and expanding the crime of perjury, this bill would impose a state-mandated local program. Existing constitutional provisions require that a statute that limits the right of access to the meetings of public bodies or the writings of public officials and agencies be adopted with findings demonstrating the interest protected by the limitation and the need for protecting that interest. This bill would make legislative findings to that effect. The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement. This bill would provide that no reimbursement is required by this act for a specified reason.