hb217_HB_217_AP_7.html
05 HB 217/AP
House Bill 217 (AS PASSED HOUSE AND SENATE)
By: Representatives Neal of the 1st, Harbin of the 118th, Scott of the 153rd, Burmeister of the 119th, Mosby of the 90th, and others

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT

To amend Chapter 5 of Title 43 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to athletic trainers, so as to provide that students, teachers, or other persons who serve as athletic trainers for a public or private elementary school or high school in this state must be licensed as an athletic trainer; to provide an exception for a student-trainer, assistant-trainer, or similar person; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF GEORGIA:

SECTION 1.
Chapter 5 of Title 43 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to athletic trainers, is amended by striking paragraph (2) of Code Section 43-5-1, relating to definitions, and inserting in lieu thereof a new paragraph (2) to read as follows:
"(2) 'Athletic trainer' means a person with specific qualifications, as set forth in Code Section Code Sections 43-5-7 and 43-5-8 who, upon the advice and consent of a physician, carries out the practice of prevention, recognition, evaluation, management, disposition, treatment, or rehabilitation of athletic injuries; and, in carrying out these functions, the athletic trainer is authorized to use physical modalities, such as heat, light, sound, cold, electricity, or mechanical devices related to prevention, recognition, evaluation, management, disposition, rehabilitation, and treatment. The term 'athletic trainer' shall not include any student, teacher, or other person who serves as an athletic trainer for an elementary school or high school, either public or private, within this state Nothing in this Code section shall be construed to require licensure of elementary or secondary school teachers, coaches, or authorized volunteers who do not hold themselves out to the public as athletic trainers."
SECTION 2.
Said chapter is further amended by striking Code Section 43-5-7, relating to license requirements for persons engaged as athletic trainers, and inserting in lieu thereof a new Code Section 43-5-7 to read as follows:
"43-5-7.
No person shall hold himself or herself out as an athletic trainer or perform, for compensation, any of the activities the services of an athletic trainer, as defined in this chapter, without first obtaining a license under this chapter; provided, however, that nothing in this chapter shall be construed to prevent any person from serving as a student-trainer, assistant-trainer, or any similar position if such service is not primarily for compensation and is carried out under the supervision of a physician or a licensed athletic trainer."

SECTION 3.
All laws and parts of laws in conflict with this Act are repealed.