Bill
HF 5079
Creates an interstate Athletic Trainer Compact allowing licensed trainers to practice across member states under the remote state's scope of practice with a shared data system and
Aims and purpose
- Establishes the Athletic Trainer Compact, an interstate framework to regulate athletic trainers across member states.
- Creates a compact privilege allowing qualified athletic trainers to practice in remote member states without obtaining a full separate license in each state.
- Sets up the Athletic Trainer Compact Commission to administer the compact and coordinate licensure, adverse actions, data sharing, and rulemaking among member states.
Key provisions and changes
1) Definitions and scope (Sec. 1)
- Introduces standard terms for the compact, including:
- Compact privilege, compact qualifying license, remote state, licensing authority, data system, adverse action, alternative program, continuing competence, current significant investigative information, and other operational concepts.
- Clarifies that a compact privilege enables an athletic trainer licensed in one member state to provide services in another member state under that remote state’s scope of practice rules.
2) State participation (Sec. 2)
- States must: enact substantially the model compact language, license/regulate athletic training, maintain continuing competence standards, handle complaints, grant compact privileges to eligible licensees, participate in the data system, report adverse actions or significant investigative information, perform criminal background checks per rules, and follow compact rules.
- Fees may be charged by member states for issuing/renewing compact privileges.
- Individuals may still obtain and use single-state licenses in non-member states or in addition to compact privileges.
- Compact privileges recognize practice in other member states, subject to remote-state scope of practice and jurisprudence requirements.
3) Compact privilege requirements (Sec. 3)
- Eligibility for compact privilege requires:
- Criminal background check via state process.
- Either BOC certification or education and exam pathway if not BOC-certified.
- No encumbrances on licenses within the prior 2 years.
- Designation of a compact qualifying license.
- Notifying the compact commission when seeking privileges in remote states.
- Payment of applicable fees and compliance with continuing competence and other state requirements.
- Reporting adverse actions by nonmember states within 30 days.
- Privilege remains valid through the expiration of the compact qualifying license and may be held in multiple states.
- Practitioners must follow the remote state’s scope of practice and are subject to that state’s regulatory actions.
4) Compact qualifying license (Sec. 4)
- Rules around designation of the qualifying license; not required to be the state of residence or primary practice.
- A licensee may hold multiple single-state licenses as well.
5) Fees for active military members (Sec. 5)
- Active military members or spouses are exempt from commission fees for a compact privilege; states may offer reduced or no fees.
6) Adverse actions and enforcement (Secs. 6, 7)
- Adverse actions on a compact-qualifying license must originate in the issuing member state; remote states may act against a licensee’s compact privilege.
- Remote states may issue subpoenas and participate in joint investigations; information sharing is regulated and confidential.
- Actions taken in any member state can affect rights in other member states (e.g., deactivation of compact privileges).
- Immunity and defense provisions protect commission members and staff; malpractice remains governed by each state’s laws.
7) Commission governance and operations (Sec. 7)
- Establishes the Athletic Trainer Compact Commission with one commissioner per member state.
- Defines powers: rulemaking, budget, contracts, audits, personnel, data handling, and intergovernmental cooperation.
- Creates an executive committee with voting and nonvoting members (including up to four national athletic trainer organization representatives).
- Public meetings, transparency, and open records rules apply, with certain closed-session allowances.
8) Data system (Sec. 8)
- Creates a centralized data system containing licensure, compact privileges, adverse actions, and current investigative information.
- States must submit uniform data; records are authenticated and shareable among member states, with privacy controls as determined by rules.
9) Rulemaking (Sec. 9)
- Commission rules have the force of law in member states, subject to conflicts with state scope-of-practice laws.
- Public notice, hearings, and transparency requirements apply; emergency rules possible with expedited processes.
10) Oversight, dispute resolution, and enforcement (Sec. 10)
- Establishes enforcement avenues including court actions in federal district where the commission is based.
- Provides default and termination processes for member states, dispute resolution mechanisms, and the ability to enforce compliance.
11) Effectiveness, withdrawal, and amendments (Sec. 11)
- The compact becomes effective after seven charter member states enact the law.
- Addresses withdrawal effects, continuity of compact privileges during withdrawal, and amendment procedures requiring enactment by all member states.
Impact and who is affected
- Athletic trainers licensed in one member state could legally practice in other member states under the compact privilege, expanding cross-state mobility.
- State licensing authorities gain a coordinated framework for admissible cross-state practice, data sharing, adverse actions, and enforcement.
- Employers and patients benefit from clearer portability and streamlined credential verification.
- Active military members and spouses receive fee relief.
Timeline and process notes
- The compact becomes effective after seven charter member states enact it.
- States joining later follow the model and rules as of enactment.
- Rulemaking includes public participation, with open meetings and recorded hearings.
Overall, HF 5079 creates a comprehensive, multi-state system to standardize and streamline athletic trainer licensure across participating states, while preserving state-specific scope-of-practice controls and disciplinary authority.
Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.
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