WEST virginia legislature
2025 regular session
Introduced
Senate Bill 755
By Senators Fuller, Deeds, Hamilton, and Morris
[Introduced March 14, 2025; referred to the Committee on Education; and then to the Committee on Finance]
A BILL to amend of the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, by adding a new article, designated §30-20B-1, §30-20B-2, §30-20B-3, §30-20B-4, §30-20B-5, §30-20B-6, and §30-20B-7, relating to the creation of the West Virginia Secondary School Athletic Trainer and Career Technical Education Program Act; providing for a short title; providing for findings and a purpose; providing for establishment of the five-year program; providing for career and technical education programs; ensuring compliance with West Virginia Secondary School Activities Commission regulations; providing for workforce recruitment and financial incentives; and providing for a timeline and effective date.
Be it enacted by the Legislature of West Virginia:
## ARTICLE 20B. West Virginia Secondary School Athletic Trainer and Career Technical Education Program Act.
This article shall be known and cited as the "West Virginia Secondary School Athletic Trainer and Career Technical Education Program Act."
(a) The Legislature finds that access to licensed athletic trainers in secondary schools is essential to ensuring the safety, health, and well-being of student-athletes.
(b) The purpose of this article is to establish a five-year program to place licensed athletic trainers in all secondary high schools in West Virginia and to create career and technical education (CTE) programs for athletic training in each high school through the Board of Education.
(c) This article will be in full compliance with the rules and regulations of the West Virginia Secondary School Activities Commission (WVSSAC).
(d) The article is also intended to serve as a Health and Safety initiative to ensure student-athletes at the secondary level receive appropriate medical attention, injury prevention resources. and emergency care when needed.
(a) The West Virginia Board of Education, in collaboration with the West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources, shall implement a five-year program for the placement of licensed athletic trainers in all secondary high schools.
(b) The program shall be fully implemented by July 1, 2030, at which time all secondary schools must have a licensed athletic trainer on staff.
(c) Funding for the program shall be appropriated annually by the Legislature to support the recruitment, hiring, and retention of athletic trainers.
(a) The West Virginia Board of Education has established career and technical education (CTE) programs for athletic training. This program can serve each high school to create a pipeline for students interested in pursuing careers in sports medicine and athletic training.
(b) School districts that already have a licensed athletic trainer for all sports shall have the option to add the career and technical education program.
(c) These programs shall align with accreditation and certification standards necessary for students to continue their education in athletic training or related health care fields at institutions of higher education in West Virginia.
(d) The rules and regulations governing career and technical education programs shall be developed and maintained by the West Virginia Department of Education to ensure consistency and adherence to state educational standards.
(a) The program shall be developed and maintained in accordance with all rules and regulations established by the West Virginia Secondary School Activities Commission.
(b) The WVSSAC shall provide guidance and oversight to ensure the successful implementation of athletic trainer placements and adherence to best practices in student-athlete health and safety.
(a) To address workforce shortages, the state shall utilize the West Virginia financial incentives for health care professionals' program to provide student loan repayment for individuals who obtain a degree in athletic training from a West Virginia Higher Education Institution and commit to working as a licensed athletic trainer in a secondary school for a minimum of two years.
(b) The West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission, in coordination with the Board of Education, shall develop criteria for loan repayment eligibility, application, and distribution of funds.
(a) The five-year program shall commence on July 1, 2025, with a phased approach to ensure full implementation by July 1, 2030.
(b) By July 1, 2030, all secondary schools in the state shall be required to employ a licensed athletic trainer.
(c) This article shall take effect immediately upon passage.
NOTE: The purpose of this bill is to create the West Virginia Secondary School Athletic Trainer and Career Technical Education Program Act.
Strike-throughs indicate language that would be stricken from a heading or the present law and underscoring indicates new language that would be added.