Alabama 2025 Regular Session

Alabama House Bill HB288 Compare Versions

Version 1 (Old)

Version 2 (New)

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3	3		HB288
4		-	F9RTDCD-2
	4	+	F9RTDCD-1
5	5		By Representatives Mooney, Gray, Tillman, Woods
6	6		RFD: Education Policy
7	7		First Read: 13-Feb-25
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12		-	5 ~~HB288 Engrossed~~
	12	+	5 F9RTDCD-1 02/10/2025 ZAK (L)ZAK 2025-253
13	13		Page 1
14	14		First Read: 13-Feb-25
	15	+	SYNOPSIS:
	16	+	Under existing law, the Alabama Commission on
	17	+	Higher Education provides loan assistance to certain
	18	+	math and science public school teachers through the
	19	+	Alabama Math and Science Teacher Education Program
	20	+	(AMSTEP).
	21	+	This bill would authorize the commission to
	22	+	award loan assistance to eligible licensed athletic
	23	+	trainers through the program.
15	24		A BILL
16	25		TO BE ENTITLED
17	26		AN ACT
18	27		Relating to Alabama Commission on Higher Education ; to
19	28		add Article 5 to Chapter 5 of Title 16, Code of Alabama 1975,
20	29		to authorize the c ommission to award loan assistance to
21	30		eligible athletic trainers through the Alabama Math and
22	31		Science Teacher Education Program (AMSTEP) .
23	32		BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF ALABAMA:
24	33		Section 1. Article 5 is added to Chapter 5 of Title 16
25	34		of the Code of Alabama 1975 to read as follows:
26	35		§16-5-100
27	36		For the purposes of this article, the following terms
28		-	have the following meanings:
29		-	(1) APPROVED DEGREE. A completed master’s degree
30		-	recognized by the Commission on Accreditation of Athletic
31		-	Training Education for an athletic training program through
32		-	which students become eligible for an approved degree.
33		-	(2) APPROVED INSTITUTION. A public or private nonprofit
34		-	institution of higher education that satisfies both of the
35		-	following:
36		-	a. Is accredited by the Southern Association of
37		-	Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges or by a nationally
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	64	+	28 HB288 INTRODUCED
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	66	+	For the purposes of this article, the following terms
	67	+	have the following meanings:
	68	+	(1) APPROVED DEGREE. A completed master’s degree
	69	+	recognized by the Commission on Accreditation of Athletic
	70	+	Training Education for an athletic training program through
	71	+	which students become eligible for an approved degree.
	72	+	(2) APPROVED INSTITUTION. A public or private nonprofit
	73	+	institution of higher education that satisfies both of the
	74	+	following:
	75	+	a. Is accredited by the Southern Association of
67	76		Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges or by a nationally
68	77		recognized accrediting agency that provides the institution
69	78		with eligibility to receive Title IV federal student aid.
70	79		b. Is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of
71	80		Athletic Training Education for an athletic training program
72	81		through which students become eligible for national
73	82		certification upon successfully completing the Board of
74	83		Certification, Inc. examination.
75	84		(3) ATHLETIC TRAINING SERVICES. Services provided by a
76	85		licensed athletic trainer within the scope of athletic
77	86		training practice pursuant to Chapter 40 of Title 34.
78	87		(4) CERTIFICATION. National recognition by successfully
79	88		completing the Board of Certification, Inc. examination for
80	89		athletic training.
81	90		(5) CHARTER SCHOOL. A public K-12 school established
82	91		pursuant to Chapter 6F.
83	92		(6) COMMISSION. The Alabama Commission on Higher
84	93		Education.
85	94		(7) ELIGIBLE APPLICANT. An individual who satisfies the
86		-	criteria set out in this article and is eligible under rules
87		-	adopted by the commission in consultation with the Alabama
88		-	Board of Athletic Trainers.
89		-	(8) LICENSED ATHLETIC TRAINER. A healthcare
90		-	professional who is legally authorized to perform athletic
91		-	training services within this state upon satisfying all of the
92		-	following requirements:
93		-	a. Graduated from an approved athletic training program
94		-	at the master’s degree level from an approved institution.
95		-	b. Passed the Board of Certification, Inc. examination.
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	122	+	56 HB288 INTRODUCED
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	124	+	(7) ELIGIBLE APPLICANT. An individual who satisfies the
	125	+	criteria set out in this article and is eligible under rules
	126	+	adopted by the commission in consultation with the Alabama
	127	+	Board of Athletic Trainers.
	128	+	(8) LICENSED ATHLETIC TRAINER. A healthcare
	129	+	professional who is legally authorized to perform athletic
	130	+	training services within this state upon satisfying all of the
	131	+	following requirements:
	132	+	a. Graduated from an approved athletic training program
	133	+	at the master’s degree level from an approved institution.
125	134		b. Passed the Board of Certification, Inc. examination.
126	135		c. Holds a valid license from the Alabama Board of
127	136		Athletic Trainers that verifies the individual meets
128	137		state-specific requirements, including continuing education.
129	138		(9) LOAN ASSISTANCE SUPPORT. Financial assistance
130	139		provided to a licensed athletic trainer who provides athletic
131	140		training services at a qualifying institution and has an
132	141		outstanding federal student loan balance.
133	142		(10) PROGRAM. The Alabama Math and Science Teacher
134	143		Education Program (AMSTEP), or any successor program,
135	144		administered by the commission in consultation with the
136	145		Alabama Board of Athletic Trainers.
137	146		(11) QUALIFYING INSTITUTION. A public or private K-12
138	147		school or school system or two-year or four-year institution
139	148		of higher education in this state that requires athletic
140	149		training services for sanctioned activities governed by an
141	150		organization, including the Alabama High School Athletic
142	151		Association, the Alabama Independent School Association, the
143	152		Alabama Community College Conference, the National Collegiate
144		-	Athletic Association, the National Association of
145		-	Intercollegiate Athletics, or the National Intercollegiate
146		-	Rodeo Association.
147		-	(12) YEAR. The fall, spring, and summer semesters of an
148		-	academic year of a qualifying institution.
149		-	§16-5-101
150		-	(a) This article shall be administered by the
151		-	commission in consultation with the Alabama Board of Athletic
152		-	Trainers.
153		-	(b) A percentage not to exceed 10 percent of any annual
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	180	+	84 HB288 INTRODUCED
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183		-	(b) A percentage not to exceed 10 percent of any annual
184		-	appropriations received by the program may be expended for the
185		-	operation and administrative requirements provided in this
186		-	article.
	182	+	Alabama Community College Conference, the National Collegiate
	183	+	Athletic Association, the National Association of
	184	+	Intercollegiate Athletics, or the National Intercollegiate
	185	+	Rodeo Association.
	186	+	(12) YEAR. The fall, spring, and summer semesters of an
	187	+	academic year of a qualifying institution.
	188	+	§16-5-101
	189	+	(a) This article shall be administered by the
	190	+	commission in consultation with the Alabama Board of Athletic
	191	+	Trainers.
	192	+	(b) A percentage of the funds appropriated to the
	193	+	program may be expended for the operation and administrative
	194	+	requirements provided in this article.
187	195		(c) The requirements of this article are contingent
188	196		upon available funding for the program.
189	197		(d) The commission, in consultation with the Alabama
190	198		Board of Athletic Trainers, may adopt rules for the
191	199		administration and implementation of this article.
192	200		§16-5-102
193	201		(a) The commission may award loan assistance from the
194	202		program to eligible applicants.
195	203		(b) To be eligible for loan assistance of seven
196	204		thousand five hundred dollars ($7,500) per year worked or
197	205		three thousand seven hundred fifty dollars ($3,750) per
198	206		semester worked, for a maximum of four consecutive years, an
199	207		applicant shall satisfy all of the following:
200	208		(1) Is a citizen or a lawful permanent resident of the
201	209		United States.
202	210		(2) Holds an approved degree from an approved
203		-	institution.
204		-	(3) Is licensed and in good standing with the Alabama
205		-	Board of Athletic Trainers pursuant to Chapter 40 of Title 34.
206		-	(4) Provides an average of at least 20 hours of
207		-	athletic training services per week at qualifying institutions
208		-	throughout the year in this state.
209		-	(5) Has outstanding subsidized or unsubsidized federal
210		-	student loans.
211		-	(6) Satisfies additional continuing eligibility
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	240	+	(2) Holds an approved degree from an approved
	241	+	institution.
	242	+	(3) Is licensed and in good standing with the Alabama
	243	+	Board of Athletic Trainers pursuant to Chapter 40 of Title 34.
	244	+	(4) Provides an average of at least 20 hours of
	245	+	athletic training services per week at qualifying institutions
	246	+	throughout the year in this state.
	247	+	(5) Has outstanding subsidized or unsubsidized federal
	248	+	student loans.
241	249		(6) Satisfies additional continuing eligibility
242	250		criteria established by the commission in consultation with
243	251		the Alabama Board of Athletic Trainers.
244		-	(7) Has not, nor intends to, receive a grant from the
245		-	Athletic Trainer Secondary School Incentive Program.
246	252		(c) Loan assistance awards shall be distributed
247	253		directly to eligible applicants in two disbursements during
248	254		the applicable year with one disbursement being made after
249	255		January 1 and the second disbursement being made after June 1.
250	256		(d) To receive loan assistance, an eligible applicant
251	257		shall register online with the Comptroller and verify his or
252	258		her employment. An eligible applicant who receives loan
253	259		assistance and remains employed shall continue to receive
254	260		assistance for the four-year limit.
255	261		(e) An eligible applicant shall notify the commission
256	262		in writing of any change in status within 30 days after the
257	263		change. Failure to notify the commission of a change in status
258	264		shall affect future eligibility. A change in status includes
259	265		all of the following:
260	266		(1) A change in name.
261	267		(2) A change in residence.
262	268		(3) A change in employment status.
263		-	(f) The commission shall inform an eligible applicant
264		-	awarded loan assistance that loan assistance is considered
265		-	income by the Internal Revenue Service.
266		-	(g)(1) The commission shall determine the necessary
267		-	procedures for awarding loan assistance if an eligible
268		-	applicants' total awards exceed available funding.
269		-	(2) The commission shall prioritize loan assistance to
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299		-	(2) The commission shall prioritize loan assistance to
300		-	eligible educators prior to awarding loan assistance to
301		-	eligible licensed athletic trainers.
	298	+	(3) A change in employment status.
	299	+	(f) The commission shall inform an eligible applicant
	300	+	awarded loan assistance that loan assistance is considered
	301	+	income by the Internal Revenue Service.
	302	+	(g) The commission shall determine the necessary
	303	+	procedures for awarding loan assistance if an eligible
	304	+	applicants' total awards exceed available funding.
302	305		§16-5-103
303	306		Any individual or institution not satisfied with the
304	307		commission's actions in administering the program may submit a
305	308		written petition to the commission within 30 days after notice
306	309		of the action complained of. If the individual or institution
307	310		is not satisfied with the commission's response, the
308	311		individual or institution may request a rehearing within 20
309	312		days after the commission's response. The commission shall
310	313		schedule the rehearing within 20 days after receiving the
311	314		rehearing request. The individual or institution may present
312	315		written and oral evidence supporting the petition and may be
313	316		represented by counsel. The decision of the commission
314	317		following the rehearing is final.
315		-	§16-5-104
316		-	(a) The commission shall develop an accountability and
317		-	evaluation plan for the program which does all of the
318		-	following:
319		-	(1) Identifies the goals, objectives, and expected
320		-	outputs and outcomes of the program.
321		-	(2) Describes the specific activities of the program
322		-	and how those activities will achieve expected outcomes.
323		-	(3) Defines the expected metrics of success shall be
324		-	and provide a monitoring plan to regularly assess performance.
325		-	(4) Provides an evaluation plan to assess the impact of
326		-	expected outcomes.
327		-	(b) The department shall consult with the Alabama
	318	+	Section 2. This act shall become effective on August 1,
	319	+	2025.
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357		-	(b) The department shall consult with the Alabama
358		-	Commission on the Evaluation of Services in the development of
359		-	the accountability and evaluation plan.
360		-	Section 2. This act shall become effective on August 1,
361		-	2025.
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367		-	2025.
368		-	House of Representatives
369		-	Read for the first time and referred
370		-	to the House of Representatives
371		-	committee on Education Policy
372		-	................13-Feb-25
373		-	Read for the second time and placed
374		-	on the calendar:
375		-	0 amendments
376		-	................27-Feb-25
377		-	Read for the third time and passed
378		-	as amended
379		-	Yeas 67
380		-	Nays 29
381		-	Abstains 6
382		-	................01-Apr-25
383		-	John Treadwell
384		-	Clerk
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