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Bill

H 139

An act relating to requiring licensed athletic trainers at secondary school athletic events and practices

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Carolyn Branagan and 16 co-sponsors

Vermont would study and possibly require licensed athletic trainers at all secondary school athletic activities, including exploring cost‑saving sharing models.

Read first time and referred to the Committee on Education
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Bill Summary · H 139

Purpose and intent

  • H.139 proposes to study and evaluate the feasibility of requiring licensed athletic trainers at all secondary school athletic events and practices in Vermont.
  • The bill would convene a working group to assess the need and available resources, including potential cost-effective models for sharing athletic trainers across districts or supervisory unions.
  • The overarching goal is to improve student health and safety by ensuring qualified medical personnel are available during school sports activities, particularly in rural areas with EMS access and transportation challenges.

Key provisions and changes

  • Creation of a working group: The Secondary School Use of Athletic Trainers Working Group would be formed to study needs and resources related to requiring licensed athletic trainers at all secondary school athletic events and practices.
  • Membership: The group would include:
    • Secretary of Education or designee
    • Executive Directors or designees from:
    • Vermont Principals' Association
    • Vermont School Boards Association
    • Vermont Superintendents Association
    • Vermont NEA
    • Vermont State Athletic Directors Association
    • President or designee of the Vermont Association of Athletic Trainers
    • One licensed athletic trainer who practices at a secondary school (appointed by the Vermont Association of Athletic Trainers)
  • Duties: The group shall study the need for athletic trainers and explore cost-effective sharing arrangements between districts or supervisory unions.
  • Support and logistics: The Agency of Education would assist with scheduling and processing compensation/reimbursement for the working group.
  • Reporting: The group must submit a written report with findings and recommendations for legislative action to the House and Senate Education Committees.
  • Timeline and duration:
    • First meeting by September 1, 2025
    • Report due by December 1, 2025
    • The group ceases to exist on December 31, 2025
  • Compensation: Non-state employees serving on the group (and not otherwise compensated) could receive per diem and expense reimbursement for up to six meetings, funded through the Agency of Education.
  • Effective date: The act would take effect July 1, 2025.

Who is affected

  • Secondary schools and their athletic programs across Vermont (through potential future requirements).
  • School districts, supervisory unions, and school administrators who would implement or coordinate athletic trainer coverage and potential sharing arrangements.
  • Licensed athletic trainers practicing in or near Vermont secondary schools.
  • State education and professional associations involved in education administration, athletics, and athletic training (as listed in the working group).

Procedural and timeline aspects

  • Legislative action process:
    • Introduced and referred to the House Committee on Education.
    • Establishment of a time-limited working group with specific meeting and reporting deadlines.
  • Timeframe:
    • July 1, 2025: Act’s effective date.
    • September 1, 2025: First Working Group meeting deadline.
    • December 1, 2025: Written report due to education committees.
    • December 31, 2025: Working Group dissolves.
  • Funding and reimbursement:
    • Per diem and travel reimbursement available for up to six meetings for non-state, non-compensated participants, funded by the Agency of Education.

Notable context

  • Findings emphasize rural Vermont challenges, including limited EMS access, distance to emergency services, and transportation barriers that can impact timely medical evaluation and care during school athletic activities.
  • The bill builds on the licensed athletic trainer scope of practice (as codified in 26 V.S.A. chapter 83) and frames the issue within broader student health, safety, and healthcare access considerations.

If you’d like, I can provide a one-page briefing with bullet-point implications for school districts or a comparison to athletic trainer policies in neighboring states.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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