SENATE BILL NO. 119 "An Act relating to the licensing and regulation of athletic trainers." 9:01:37 AM SENATOR KEVIN MEYER, introduced SB 119. He explained that athletic trainers were certified, health care professionals who practice in the field of sports medicine. The profession played a significant role in the management, prevention, recognition and rehabilitation of injured athletes under the supervision of a license physician. As people became increasingly more active, athletic trainers were a vital resource in administering immediate emergency care as well as injury prevention and treatment. BRENDA SHELDON, PRESIDENT, ALASKA ATHLETIC TRAINERS ASSOCIATION, spoke in support of SB 119. She noted that Alaska was one of three states that did not license athletic trainers. She explained that athletic trainer clients ranged from athletes to industrial workers. She noted that athletic trainers were often the first to respond in the cases of injuries. Ms. Sheldon explained that SB 119 would require everyone in Alaska who considered themselves athletic trainers to be licensed. She explained that she was an athletic trainer, and shared her personal feelings about the importance of SB 119. 9:07:06 AM CHRISTOPHER DEAN, ATHLETIC TRAINER, testified in support of SB 119. He explained that SB 119 would ensure quality medical care for the athletes in Alaska. He stressed that some parents had become dependent on athletic trainers. Co-Chair Stedman noted the new fiscal impact note from Department of Commerce, Community and Economic Development, and a new zero fiscal note from the Department of Administration. Senator Thomas wondered if the initial licensing fee of $900 would be covered in the bill. Senator Meyer replied that the $900 could possibly be covered by the state. He hoped to discuss reasons why the licensing was so high. Senator Thomas agreed that the fee was very high. DON HABEGER, DIRECTOR, CORPORATIONS, BUSINESS, AND PROFESSIONAL LICENSING, explained that the licensing fee was high, because it was expensive to install a program into the system. He stressed that once the system was implemented, the program would be complete with application accessibility. He stated that there was a belief that the program could easily get absorbed into the existing staff. 9:14:49 AM Senator Thomas wondered if the cost was high because there were a small number of individuals who were interested in applying. He felt it could be a simple implementation. Mr. Habeger replied that it was a statutory requirement to charge the user fees in implementation. He stressed that the fee was legitimate. Senator Thomas wondered how many people were anticipated to be licensed. Mr. Habeger replied that there was no way he could predict that number, but relied on the Athletic Trainer Association to provide that number. Senator Olson wondered if there was a licensing board that would have a small number of licensees. Mr. Habeger noted that a similar program was the Midwife Board, and their biennial program fee was about $2000. Senator Olson wondered if there was a process to pay for the investigator to deal with the complaint. Mr. Habeger noted that there were recent discussions regarding the Real Estate Commission, and those costs could spike. Senator McGuire wondered how the school districts would intersect into the program. She wondered if the costs would be passed on to the school district. Senator Meyer deferred to a school district employee. Senator McGuire restated that she was concerned with the costs for the school districts. Mr. Dean replied that currently no school district in Alaska employed athletic trainers. He stressed that the school districts in Fairbanks were highly dependent on benefactors. 9:21:44 AM Mr. Dean noted that midwives had a board, but the athletic trainers do not have a board. He felt that athletic trainers could be better compared with nutritionists. Senator Egan wondered if the fees would increase if there was an investigation regarding licensing issues. Mr. Habeger replied that the division had an investigative unit that was responsible for any violation of Title A. If investigators determined that there was a violation, then a process occurred with the possibility for many different outcomes. He stressed that most of the time there were low cost issues, but if there was a legal process then the Department of Law would be involved. Senator Egan wondered if there would be background checks for people that applied for licenses. Mr. Habeger replied that if the applicant remained current with the national organization, then the applicant would be eligible for a state license. 9:27:07 AM Senator Olson noted that Mr. Dean had declared that athletic trainers were more like nutritionists than midwives, and wondered if Mr. Habeger agreed with that assumption. Mr. Habeger did not know the specifics of the Nutritionist program. He noted that Naturopaths had a fee of $400, and did not have a board. Senator Olson wondered what penalties would be incurred if the license were suspended. Senator Meyer replied that the licensees were overseen by the National Board. Senator Olson noted that there was an issue of diagnosing and treatment. He expressed concern that athletic trainers were not authorized to practice medicine. Senator Meyer stressed that there were specific requirements for people that call themselves athletic trainers. He also stressed that they were not going to practice medicine. He stated that he did not know how the bill would apply to rural areas, but agreed to provide that information. SB 119 was HEARD and HELD in committee for further consideration.