Georgia 2025-2026 Regular Session

Georgia House Bill HB314 Compare Versions

Version 1 (Old)

Version 2 (New)

Old	New		Differences
1	1		25 LC 46 1091S
2		-	House Bill 314 (COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE)
3		-	By: Representatives LaHood of the 175
4		-	th
5		-	, Powell of the 33
6		-	rd
7		-	, Jasperse of the 11
8		-	th
9		-	, Cannon of
10		-	the 172
11		-	nd
12		-	, and Sharper of the 177
13		-	th
14		-
	2	+	The House Committee on Regulated Industries offers the following substitute to HB 314:
15	3		A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
16	4		AN ACT
17		-	To amend Chapter 5 of Title 43 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to
18		-	1
	5	+	To amend Chapter 5 of Title 43 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to1
19	6		athletic trainers, so as to revise and update definitions; to eliminate obsolete provisions; to2
20	7		require athletic training students to be under the direct supervision of a physician or licensed3
21	8		athletic trainer; to revise and update certification requirements; to provide for related matters;4
22	9		to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.5
23	10		BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF GEORGIA:6
24	11		SECTION 1.7
25	12		Chapter 5 of Title 43 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to athletic trainers,8
26	13		is amended by revising Code Section 43-5-1, relating to definitions, as follows:9
27	14		"43-5-1.10
28	15		As used in this chapter, the term:11
29		-	(1) 'Athletic injury' means any injury
30		-	condition sustained by a person as a result of such12
	16	+	(1) 'Athletic injury' means any injury condition sustained by a person as a result of such12
31	17		person's participation in exercises, sports, games, or recreational activities, or any13
32	18		activities requiring physical strength, agility, flexibility, range of motion, speed, or14
33	19		stamina without respect to where or how the injury condition occurs. Nothing in this15
34	20		paragraph shall be construed to expand the scope of practice of an athletic trainer beyond16
35	21		H. B. 314 (SUB)
36	22		- 1 - 25 LC 46 1091S
37		-	the determination of the advising and consenting physician as provided for in
38		-	17
	23	+	the determination of the advising and consenting physician as provided for in17
39	24		paragraph (2) of this Code section.18
40	25		(2) 'Athletic trainer' means a person with specific qualifications, as set forth in Code19
41	26		Sections 43-5-7 and 43-5-8 who, upon the advice and consent of a physician, carries out20
42	27		the practice of prevention, recognition, evaluation, management, disposition, treatment,21
43	28		or rehabilitation of athletic injuries; and, in carrying out these functions, the athletic22
44	29		trainer is authorized to use physical modalities, such as heat, light, sound, cold,23
45	30		electricity, or mechanical devices related to prevention, recognition, evaluation,24
46		-	management, disposition, rehabilitation, and treatment. Nothing in this Code section
47		-	25
	31	+	management, disposition, rehabilitation, and treatment. Nothing in this Code section25
48	32		shall be construed to require licensure of elementary or secondary school teachers,26
49	33		coaches, or authorized volunteers who do not hold themselves out to the public as athletic27
50	34		trainers.28
51	35		(3) 'Board' means the Georgia Board of Athletic Trainers."29
52	36		SECTION 2.30
53	37		Said chapter is further amended by revising Code Section 43-5-6, relating to general powers31
54	38		and duties of the Georgia Board for Athletic Trainers, as follows:32
55	39		"43-5-6.33
56	40		(a) The board is authorized to promulgate and adopt rules and regulations consistent with34
57	41		this chapter which are necessary for the performance of its duties.35
58	42		(b) The board shall prescribe application forms for license applications.36
59	43		(c) The board shall establish guidelines for athletic trainers in the state and prepare and37
60	44		conduct an approve a certification examination for applicants for a license.38
61	45		(d) The board shall adopt an official seal and the form of a license certificate of suitable39
62	46		design."40
63	47		H. B. 314 (SUB)
64	48		- 2 - 25 LC 46 1091S
65		-	SECTION 3.
66		-	41
	49	+	SECTION 3.41
67	50		Said chapter is further amended by revising Code Section 43-5-7, relating to license42
68	51		requirement for persons engaged as athletic trainers, as follows:43
69	52		"43-5-7.44
70	53		No person shall hold himself or herself out as an athletic trainer or perform the services of45
71	54		an athletic trainer, as defined in this chapter, without first obtaining a license under this46
72		-	chapter. Nothing
73		-	; provided, however, that nothing in this chapter shall be construed to47
	55	+	chapter. Nothing; provided, however, that nothing in this chapter shall be construed to47
74	56		prevent any person enrolled in an accredited athletic training educational program48
75	57		recognized by the board from serving as a student-trainer, assistant-trainer, or any similar49
76	58		position an athletic training student if such service is not primarily for compensation50
77	59		following the accredited program's standards for clinical education and is carried out under51
78	60		the direct supervision of a physician or a licensed athletic trainer. As used in this Code52
79	61		section, the term 'direct supervision' means that the supervising athletic trainer or physician53
80	62		is physically present in the facility where athletic training students assisting with athletic54
81	63		training services are located and is immediately available to assist the person being55
82	64		supervised."56
83	65		SECTION 4.57
84	66		Said chapter is further amended by revising Code Section 43-5-8, relating to qualifications58
85	67		of applicants and reciprocity, as follows:59
86	68		"43-5-8.60
87	69		(a) An applicant for an athletic trainer's license must have met the athletic training61
88	70		curriculum requirements of a college or university approved shall be a graduate of an62
89	71		accredited educational program that prepares athletic trainers recognized by the board and63
90	72		give proof of graduation or shall submit, in a manner prescribed by the board, equivalent64
91	73		educational credentials as approved by the board.65
92	74		H. B. 314 (SUB)
93	75		- 3 - 25 LC 46 1091S
94		-	(b) The board shall be authorized to grant a license, without examination, to any qualified
95		-	66
	76	+	(b) The board shall be authorized to grant a license, without examination, to any qualified66
96	77		athletic trainer holding a license in another state if such other state recognizes licensees of67
97	78		this state in the same manner.68
98	79		(c) The board may grant a license without examination to any qualified applicant who69
99		-	holds a certification from the National Athletic Trainers Board of Certification
100		-	Board of70
	80	+	holds a certification from the National Athletic Trainers Board of Certification Board of70
101	81		Certification for the Athletic Trainer or its successor.71
102	82		(d) Any person who was issued a license prior to July 1, 2004, shall remain qualified for72
103	83		licensure, notwithstanding the requirement for proof of graduation in subsection (a) of this73
104	84		Code section, so long as the license remains current."74
105	85		SECTION 5.75
106	86		All laws and parts of laws in conflict with this Act are repealed.76
107	87		H. B. 314 (SUB)
108	88		- 4 -