This bill authorizes Pennsylvania to join the Athletic Trainer Interstate Compact, sets the form of the compact, and imposes additional duties on the Governor and the Secretary of the Commonwealth to implement and administer the compact.
Formal Authorization to Execute Compact
- Governor may sign the Athletic Trainer Compact on behalf of Pennsylvania with other states.
- Pennsylvania’s General Assembly approves in advance, signaling intent to participate.
Overview of the Compact (as drafted in the Act)
- Purpose of the Compact: Facilitate mobility of LATs, mutual recognition of licenses, and streamlined interstate practice while maintaining state regulatory authority.
- Core Objectives:
- Mutual recognition of licenses issued by Member States.
- Uniform requirements for a Compact-Qualified License to enable Compact Privileges.
- Eliminate the need for multiple state licenses for LATs; improve workforce mobility.
- Reduce administrative burdens and enhance public health protections.
- Facilitate telehealth and information sharing on licensure, investigations, and discipline.
- Support relocation for Active Military Members and their spouses.
- Promote uniform licensure requirements and accountability for LATs.
Definitions (Section 2)
- Establishes terminology for Active Military Members, Adverse Actions, Compact Privilege, Compact Commission, Compact Qualifying License, Remote State, etc.
- Clarifies Continuing Competence, Criminal Background Check, Data System, Jurisprudence Requirements, Scope of Practice, Encumbrances, and other core terms.
State Participation (Section 3)
- Eligibility criteria for states to join and maintain membership (statutes aligned with Model Compact Language; licensure of LATs; continuing competence; complaint mechanisms; data system participation; reporting of adverse actions and significant investigative information; criminal background checks).
- Remote State recognition of Compact Privileges and ongoing compliance with Rules.
- Fees: Member States may set/collect fees for Compact Privileges.
Compact Privilege (Section 4)
- Eligibility for Compact Privilege requires:
- Criminal Background Check via the state of Qualifying Licensure.
- Either active BOC certification or equivalent educational/training credentials and successful BOC exam, plus other specified criteria.
- No Encumbrances in the prior two years.
- Compliance with jurisprudence and remote state requirements.
- Ongoing reporting of adverse actions or encumbrances.
- Privileges are valid for the license expiration date of the Compact Qualifying License and may be held in multiple states.
- LATs must practice under the Scope of Practice of the patient’s state.
- Remote States may take Adverse Action against a LAT’s Compact Privilege; can issue subpoenas; all actions must align with due process.
Compact Qualifying License (Section 5)
- Designation limitations: one Compact Qualifying License at a time.
- State of Qualifying Licensure need not be the resident or primary practice state.
- Ownership of Single-State Licenses remains unchanged.
Active Military Members and Spouses (Section 6)
- No fee to the Compact Commission for Active Military Members or spouses; possible reduced/no fee by a Member State.
Adverse Actions (Section 7)
- Adverse Action authority resides with the state issuing the Compact Qualifying License.
- Remote States may act against a Compact Privilege; joint investigations permitted; sharing of information among states is governed by confidentiality rules.
- Costs of investigations may be recovered from the affected LAT where allowed.
Establishment and Operation of the Compact Commission (Section 8)
- Creates the Athletic Trainer Licensure Compact Commission (joint instrumentality of Member States).
- Each Member State appoints one Commissioner; voting rights; meetings; and the Commission’s powers (rulemaking, finances, contracts, audits, enforcement, etc.).
- An Executive Committee with defined composition and duties to manage day-to-day operations between full Commission meetings.
Data System (Section 9)
- All Member States must contribute data to a centralized Data System containing licensure, Compact Privileges, adverse actions, and investigative information.
- Data becomes authenticated records of the Commission; privacy and expungement rules apply.
Rulemaking (Section 10)
- The Commission may promulgate Rules and bylaws, with public notice, hearings, and opportunities for comment.
- Rules have binding effect but may be overridden in specific state-conflict scenarios (Scope of Practice in a given state).
Oversight, Dispute Resolution, and Enforcement (Section 11)
- Enforcement mechanisms at the state and Commission levels, including default procedures, termination processes, and dispute resolution (mediation and binding options).
- Venue and service-of-process provisions centered on the Commission and its principal office.
Effective Date, Withdrawal, and Amendment (Section 12)
- Compact becomes operative after seven Charter Member States enact the statute and approve the Model Language.
- Provisions for withdrawal (180 days notice) and continuity of Privileges for a transition period.
- Amendments require concurrence by all Member States.
Construction, Consistency, and Conflict (Section 13-14)
- Broad, liberal construction to effectuate purposes.
- Supersedes conflicting state laws to the extent of the conflict.
- Amending and withdrawal processes outlined; consistency with non-member state agreements preserved.
Final Administrative Details
- Effective date of Act: 60 days after enactment.
- Commission administrator expenses limited to reimbursement, not additional PA compensation.
Overall, SB 1312 establishes Pennsylvania’s participation in a nationally coordinated framework to standardize and streamline the practice of athletic training across member states, while preserving core state regulatory autonomy and public protection mechanisms.
