SRC-CDH S.B. 1192 75(R) BILL ANALYSIS Senate Research Center S.B. 1192 By: Armbrister Health & Human Services 4-10-97 As Filed DIGEST Currently, Texans live a more active lifestyle and sports medicine facilities are growing increasingly popular. However, an athletic trainer is defined in statute as a person who rehabilitates and treats injuries incurred by athletes on the advice and consent of the trainer's team physician. This legislation aims to create a broader definition of athletic trainers by permitting a physician or chiropractor, as well as a team physician, to refer an athlete or patient for treatment by such a trainer. PURPOSE As proposed, S.B. 1192 establishes the regulation of athletic trainers. RULEMAKING AUTHORITY Rulemaking authority is granted to the Advisory Board of Athletic Trainers in SECTION 2 (Section 10(a), Article 4512d, V.T.C.S.) of this bill. SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS SECTION 1. Amends Section 1, Article 4512d, V.T.C.S., as follows: Sec. 1. DEFINITIONS; EXCEPTIONS. Redefines "athletic trainer" to mean a person with specific qualifications who, on the advice and consent of a physician or chiropractor, rather than his team physician, carries out the practice or prevention and physical rehabilitation of injuries incurred by athletes or patients; and is authorized to use physical modalities related to rehabilitation and treatment, rather than being authorized to use physical modalities such as heat, light, sound, cold, electricity, or mechanical devices for that same purpose. Defines "commissioner" and "department." Provides that the provisions of this Act do not apply to registered massage therapists, rather than masseurs or masseuses in their particular sphere of labor. Deletes the provision exempting chiropodists from the application of this Act. Makes conforming changes. SECTION 2. Amends Sections 10(a) and (b), Article 4512d, V.T.C.S., to authorize the Advisory Board of Athletic Trainers, by rule, to set a reasonable application fee in addition to the fees set under Section 7 of this Act. Makes conforming changes. SECTION 3. Effective date: September 1, 1997. Makes application of this Act prospective. SECTION 4. Emergency clause.