ASSEMBLY REGULATED PROFESSIONS COMMITTEE

STATEMENT TO

ASSEMBLY, No. 1446

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

DATED:  MAY 13, 2024

      The Assembly Regulated Professions Committee reports favorably Assembly Bill No. 1446.

      This bill revises the “Athletic Training Licensure Act.”

      Specifically, the bill updates the definition of “athletic training” to include the treatment of an individual for injury prevention and health management; the evaluation and assessment of an individual for an injury or illness, or both; and the rehabilitation and reconditioning of an individual’s injury or illness, or both. 

      The bill also clarifies that nothing in the bill is to be construed as authorizing the interpretation of data for the purpose of diagnosing disease, organic condition or the practice of various licensed health care professions, including the practice of medicine and surgery, chiropractic, podiatry, occupational therapy, physical therapy, or prosthetics, by a person who is not licensed to practice such profession. The bill’s revisions include various amendments to delete references to “athlete,” thereby acknowledging the fact that athletic trainers provide services to persons generally, rather than athletes specifically. 

      The bill requires athletic trainers to display, or carry on the athletic trainer’s person if displaying is not possible, a practicing license at any place the athletic trainer renders services.

      The bill also modifies the curriculum requirements for the board to approve to include, among other items, a degree in professional athletic training from a postsecondary educational institution that meets the academic standards of the Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education.  Additionally, references to the Board of Certification, Inc. are incorporated into current law, including to replace references to the National Athletic Trainers' Association Board of Certification, Inc.

      The bill also repeals a section of the act that prohibits an athletic trainer from practicing, or from being employed by any individual or entity to do, physical therapy procedures for reimbursement unless the athletic trainer is licensed pursuant to current law governing physical therapists.

      This bill was pre-filed for introduction in the 2024-2025 session pending technical review.  As reported, the bill includes the changes required by technical review, which has been performed.