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HB 970

Quality Basic Education Act; expand which healthcare professionals may conduct preparticipation physical examinations

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Leesa Hagan and 5 co-sponsors

Georgia HB 970 expands which healthcare professionals can conduct mandatory student athletic preparticipation physicals beyond physicians, aiming to improve scheduling access while raising concerns about examination consistency and quality.

Senate Read and Referred
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Bill Summary · HB 970

Legislative bill overview

HB 970 expands the pool of healthcare professionals authorized to conduct preparticipation physical examinations (PPEs) for students, moving beyond the traditional physician-only requirement. The bill allows additional qualified healthcare providers to perform these evaluations, which are mandatory screenings before students participate in school athletic programs.

Why is this important

Preparticipation physicals are critical for identifying cardiac conditions, musculoskeletal issues, and other health concerns that could pose risks during athletic activity. Expanding who can conduct them addresses potential bottlenecks in scheduling access to physicians, particularly in rural or underserved areas, while potentially reducing costs for families. However, the expansion also raises questions about consistency in examination quality and the scope of conditions different providers are equipped to diagnose.

Potential points of contention

  • Scope of practice concerns: Disagreement over whether non-physician providers (nurse practitioners, physician assistants, etc.) have adequate training to identify serious cardiac or neurological conditions that could be life-threatening during athletics
  • Quality and consistency standards: Questions about whether uniform screening standards would be maintained across different provider types and whether documentation requirements would be equivalent
  • Cost and access trade-offs: While expansion may improve access, some argue it could incentivize cheaper providers at the expense of thoroughness, or conversely, that it adds regulatory burden on providers

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

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