CARABALLO ATHLETIC TRAINERS BILL HEADS TO GOVERNOR'S DESK

CARABALLO ATHLETIC TRAINERS BILL HEADS TO GOVERNOR'S DESK

(TRENTON) - The Senate today passed legislation Assemblymen Wilfredo Caraballo sponsored to provide certified athletic trainers the ability to treat any person injured during athletic activity.

The measure (A-3259/S-2678) would not broaden the scope of practice for certified athletic trainers, but would expand the definition of "athlete" to include any individual "who participates in strenuous physical exercise, physical conditioning, or a sport." Current regulations limit certified trainers to treating only student or professional athletes.

"Professional athletes and weekend warriors often suffer the same injuries and ailments, but our laws have forced them to follow very different paths to medical care," said Caraballo (D-Essex).  "Athletic trainers receive specialized instruction in treating sports-related injuries for a reason. They should be able to help all athletes regardless of whether they are a world-class runner chasing records or a recreational jogger simply trying to get in shape."

The legislation would repeal statutory language that currently allows persons who have merely applied for an athletic training license to receive a temporary permit from the State Board of Medical Examiners. It also would expand the Athletic Training Advisory Committee to seven members by including a representative of the general public.

The measure also would require a licensed trainer to immediately refer an injured athlete to an appropriate health care professional if they have reasonable cause to believe the injury would require services outside the scope of an athletic trainer's practice.

"We need to avoid absurd situations where a trainer who worked regularly with a student-athlete is prevented from providing follow-up care the day after graduation," said Caraballo. "Sports injuries don't discriminate between afflicting professional or recreational athletes. Athletic trainers shouldn't have to discriminate among who they can treat, either."

The Senate passed the bill 34 to 3 with zero abstentions. It now heads to the Governor, who may sign it, veto it, or modify it in the form of a conditional veto.

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