99TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY
State of Illinois
2015 and 2016
SB2742

 

Introduced 2/16/2016, by Sen. William R. Haine

 

SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED:
 
225 ILCS 5/3  from Ch. 111, par. 7603
225 ILCS 5/4  from Ch. 111, par. 7604
225 ILCS 5/16  from Ch. 111, par. 7616

    Amends the Illinois Athletic Trainers Practice Act. Changes the definition of "licensed athletic trainer" to someone who, upon the direction of, on the prescription of, or in collaboration with a physician, provides therapeutic intervention and rehabilitation of injuries and medical conditions incurred by individuals as prescribed by the Board of Athletic Trainers and for which the athletic trainer has received appropriate education and training. Replaces specific duties of an athletic trainer with language allowing him or her to utilize emergency care and physical medicine and rehabilitation techniques as related to prevention, emergency care, clinical diagnosis, therapeutic intervention, rehabilitation, and reconditioning. Defines "referral" to mean the guidance and direction given by the physician, who shall maintain supervision of the individual (rather than the athlete). Defines "physician" as a physician licensed under the Medical Practice Act to practice medicine in all of its branches or a chiropractic physician. Removes specific titles and letters an individual can only use when licensed as an athletic trainer under the Act. Provides that abandonment of an individual (rather than an athlete) is grounds for discipline.


LRB099 19128 SMS 43517 b

 

 

A BILL FOR

 

SB2742LRB099 19128 SMS 43517 b

1    AN ACT concerning regulation.
 
2    Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois,
3represented in the General Assembly:
 
4    Section 5. The Illinois Athletic Trainers Practice Act is
5amended by changing Sections 3, 4, and 16 as follows:
 
6    (225 ILCS 5/3)  (from Ch. 111, par. 7603)
7    (Section scheduled to be repealed on January 1, 2026)
8    Sec. 3. Definitions. As used in this Act:
9    (1) "Department" means the Department of Financial and
10Professional Regulation.
11    (2) "Secretary" means the Secretary of Financial and
12Professional Regulation.
13    (3) "Board" means the Illinois Board of Athletic Trainers
14appointed by the Secretary.
15    (4) "Licensed athletic trainer" means a person licensed to
16practice athletic training as defined in this Act and with the
17specific qualifications set forth in Section 9 of this Act who,
18upon the direction of, on the prescription of, or in
19collaboration with a his or her team physician, provides
20therapeutic intervention and rehabilitation of injuries and
21medical conditions incurred by individuals as prescribed by the
22Board of Athletic Trainers and for which the athletic trainer
23has received appropriate education and training. The athletic

 

 

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1trainer is authorized to utilize emergency care and physical
2medicine and rehabilitation techniques as related to
3prevention, emergency care, clinical diagnosis, therapeutic
4intervention, rehabilitation, and reconditioning. or
5consulting physician, carries out the practice of
6prevention/emergency care or physical reconditioning of
7injuries incurred by athletes participating in an athletic
8program conducted by an educational institution, professional
9athletic organization, or sanctioned amateur athletic
10organization employing the athletic trainer; or a person who,
11under the direction of a physician, carries out comparable
12functions for a health organization-based extramural program
13of athletic training services for athletes. Specific duties of
14the athletic trainer include but are not limited to:
15        A. Supervision of the selection, fitting, and
16    maintenance of protective equipment;
17        B. Provision of assistance to the coaching staff in the
18    development and implementation of conditioning programs;
19        C. Counseling of athletes on nutrition and hygiene;
20        D. Supervision of athletic training facility and
21    inspection of playing facilities;
22        E. Selection and maintenance of athletic training
23    equipment and supplies;
24        F. Instruction and supervision of student trainer
25    staff;
26        G. Coordination with a team physician to provide:

 

 

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1            (i) pre-competition physical exam and health
2        history updates,
3            (ii) game coverage or phone access to a physician
4        or paramedic,
5            (iii) follow-up injury care,
6            (iv) reconditioning programs, and
7            (v) assistance on all matters pertaining to the
8        health and well-being of athletes.
9        H. Provision of on-site injury care and evaluation as
10    well as appropriate transportation, follow-up treatment
11    and rehabilitation as necessary for all injuries sustained
12    by athletes in the program;
13        I. With a physician, determination of when an athlete
14    may safely return to full participation post-injury; and
15        J. Maintenance of complete and accurate records of all
16    athletic injuries and treatments rendered.
17    To carry out these functions the athletic trainer is
18authorized to utilize modalities, including, but not limited
19to, heat, light, sound, cold, electricity, exercise, or
20mechanical devices related to care and reconditioning.
21    (5) "Referral" means the guidance and direction given by
22the physician, who shall maintain supervision of the individual
23athlete.
24    (6) "Athletic trainer aide" means a person who has received
25on-the-job training specific to the facility in which he or she
26is employed, on either a paid or volunteer basis, but is not

 

 

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1enrolled in an accredited athletic training curriculum.
2    (7) "Address of record" means the designated address
3recorded by the Department in the applicant's or licensee's
4application file or license file as maintained by the
5Department's licensure maintenance unit. It is the duty of the
6applicant or licensee to inform the Department of any change of
7address, and those changes must be made either through the
8Department's website or by contacting the Department.
9    (8) "Board of Certification" means the Board of
10Certification for the Athletic Trainer.
11    (9) "Physician" means a physician licensed under the
12Medical Practice Act to practice medicine in all of its
13branches or a chiropractic physician.
14(Source: P.A. 99-469, eff. 8-26-15.)
 
15    (225 ILCS 5/4)  (from Ch. 111, par. 7604)
16    (Section scheduled to be repealed on January 1, 2026)
17    Sec. 4. Licensure; exempt activities. No person shall
18provide any of the services set forth in subsection (4) of
19Section 3 of this Act, or use the title "athletic trainer" or
20"certified athletic trainer" or "athletic trainer certified"
21or "licensed athletic trainer" or the letters "A.T." or ,
22"C.A.T.", "A.T.C.", "A.C.T.", or "I.A.T.L." after his or her
23name, unless licensed under this Act.
24    Nothing in this Act shall be construed as preventing or
25restricting the practice, services, or activities of:

 

 

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1        (1) Any person licensed or registered in this State by
2    any other law from engaging in the profession or occupation
3    for which he or she is licensed or registered.
4        (2) Any person employed as an athletic trainer by the
5    Government of the United States, if such person provides
6    athletic training solely under the direction or control of
7    the organization by which he or she is employed.
8        (3) Any person pursuing a course of study leading to a
9    degree or certificate in athletic training at an accredited
10    educational program if such activities and services
11    constitute a part of a supervised course of study involving
12    daily personal or verbal contact at the site of supervision
13    between the athletic training student and the licensed
14    athletic trainer who plans, directs, advises, and
15    evaluates the student's athletic training clinical
16    education. The supervising licensed athletic trainer must
17    be on-site where the athletic training clinical education
18    is being obtained. A person meeting the criteria under this
19    paragraph (3) must be designated by a title which clearly
20    indicates his or her status as a student or trainee.
21        (4) (Blank).
22        (5) The practice of athletic training under the
23    supervision of a licensed athletic trainer by one who has
24    applied in writing to the Department for licensure and has
25    complied with all the provisions of Section 9 except the
26    passing of the examination to be eligible to receive such

 

 

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1    license. This temporary right to act as an athletic trainer
2    shall expire 3 months after the filing of his or her
3    written application to the Department; when the applicant
4    has been notified of his or her failure to pass the
5    examination authorized by the Department; when the
6    applicant has withdrawn his or her application; when the
7    applicant has received a license from the Department after
8    successfully passing the examination authorized by the
9    Department; or when the applicant has been notified by the
10    Department to cease and desist from practicing, whichever
11    occurs first. This provision shall not apply to an
12    applicant who has previously failed the examination.
13        (6) Any person in a coaching position from rendering
14    emergency care on an as needed basis to the athletes under
15    his or her supervision when a licensed athletic trainer is
16    not available.
17        (7) Any person who is an athletic trainer from another
18    state or territory of the United States or another nation,
19    state, or territory acting as an athletic trainer while
20    performing his or her duties for his or her respective
21    non-Illinois based team or organization, so long as he or
22    she restricts his or her duties to his or her team or
23    organization during the course of his or her team's or
24    organization's stay in this State. For the purposes of this
25    Act, a team shall be considered based in Illinois if its
26    home contests are held in Illinois, regardless of the

 

 

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1    location of the team's administrative offices.
2        (8) The practice of athletic training by persons
3    licensed in another state who have applied in writing to
4    the Department for licensure by endorsement. This
5    temporary right to act as an athletic trainer shall expire
6    6 months after the filing of his or her written application
7    to the Department; upon the withdrawal of the application
8    for licensure under this Act; upon delivery of a notice of
9    intent to deny the application from the Department; or upon
10    the denial of the application by the Department, whichever
11    occurs first.
12        (9) The practice of athletic training by one who has
13    applied in writing to the Department for licensure and has
14    complied with all the provisions of Section 9. This
15    temporary right to act as an athletic trainer shall expire
16    6 months after the filing of his or her written application
17    to the Department; upon the withdrawal of the application
18    for licensure under this Act; upon delivery of a notice of
19    intent to deny the application from the Department; or upon
20    the denial of the application by the Department, whichever
21    occurs first.
22        (10) The practice of athletic training by persons
23    actively licensed as an athletic trainer in another state
24    or territory of the United States or another country, or
25    currently certified by the Board of Certification, or its
26    successor entity, at a special athletic tournament or event

 

 

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1    conducted by a sanctioned amateur athletic organization,
2    including, but not limited to, the Prairie State Games and
3    the Special Olympics, for no more than 14 days. This shall
4    not include contests or events that are part of a scheduled
5    series of regular season events.
6        (11) Athletic trainer aides from performing patient
7    care activities under the on-site supervision of a licensed
8    athletic trainer. These patient care activities shall not
9    include interpretation of referrals or evaluation
10    procedures, planning or major modifications of patient
11    programs, administration of medication, or solo practice
12    or event coverage without immediate access to a licensed
13    athletic trainer.
14        (12) Persons or entities practicing the specified
15    occupations set forth in subsection (a) of, and pursuant to
16    a licensing exemption granted in subsection (b) or (d) of,
17    Section 2105-350 of the Department of Professional
18    Regulation Law of the Civil Administrative Code of
19    Illinois, but only for so long as the 2016 Olympic and
20    Paralympic Games Professional Licensure Exemption Law is
21    operable.
22(Source: P.A. 99-469, eff. 8-26-15.)
 
23    (225 ILCS 5/16)  (from Ch. 111, par. 7616)
24    (Section scheduled to be repealed on January 1, 2026)
25    Sec. 16. Grounds for discipline.

 

 

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1    (1) The Department may refuse to issue or renew, or may
2revoke, suspend, place on probation, reprimand, or take other
3disciplinary action as the Department may deem proper,
4including fines not to exceed $10,000 for each violation, with
5regard to any licensee for any one or combination of the
6following:
7        (A) Material misstatement in furnishing information to
8    the Department;
9        (B) Violations of this Act, or of the rules or
10    regulations promulgated hereunder;
11        (C) Conviction of or plea of guilty to any crime under
12    the Criminal Code of 2012 or the laws of any jurisdiction
13    of the United States that is (i) a felony, (ii) a
14    misdemeanor, an essential element of which is dishonesty,
15    or (iii) of any crime that is directly related to the
16    practice of the profession;
17        (D) Fraud or any misrepresentation in applying for or
18    procuring a license under this Act, or in connection with
19    applying for renewal of a license under this Act;
20        (E) Professional incompetence or gross negligence;
21        (F) Malpractice;
22        (G) Aiding or assisting another person, firm,
23    partnership, or corporation in violating any provision of
24    this Act or rules;
25        (H) Failing, within 60 days, to provide information in
26    response to a written request made by the Department;

 

 

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1        (I) Engaging in dishonorable, unethical, or
2    unprofessional conduct of a character likely to deceive,
3    defraud or harm the public;
4        (J) Habitual or excessive use or abuse of drugs defined
5    in law as controlled substances, alcohol, or any other
6    substance that results in the inability to practice with
7    reasonable judgment, skill, or safety;
8        (K) Discipline by another state, unit of government,
9    government agency, the District of Columbia, territory, or
10    foreign nation, if at least one of the grounds for the
11    discipline is the same or substantially equivalent to those
12    set forth herein;
13        (L) Directly or indirectly giving to or receiving from
14    any person, firm, corporation, partnership, or association
15    any fee, commission, rebate, or other form of compensation
16    for any professional services not actually or personally
17    rendered. Nothing in this subparagraph (L) affects any bona
18    fide independent contractor or employment arrangements
19    among health care professionals, health facilities, health
20    care providers, or other entities, except as otherwise
21    prohibited by law. Any employment arrangements may include
22    provisions for compensation, health insurance, pension, or
23    other employment benefits for the provision of services
24    within the scope of the licensee's practice under this Act.
25    Nothing in this subparagraph (L) shall be construed to
26    require an employment arrangement to receive professional

 

 

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1    fees for services rendered;
2        (M) A finding by the Department that the licensee after
3    having his or her license disciplined has violated the
4    terms of probation;
5        (N) Abandonment of the individual under care an
6    athlete;
7        (O) Willfully making or filing false records or reports
8    in his or her practice, including but not limited to false
9    records filed with State agencies or departments;
10        (P) Willfully failing to report an instance of
11    suspected child abuse or neglect as required by the Abused
12    and Neglected Child Reporting Act;
13        (Q) Physical illness, including but not limited to
14    deterioration through the aging process, or loss of motor
15    skill that results in the inability to practice the
16    profession with reasonable judgment, skill, or safety;
17        (R) Solicitation of professional services other than
18    by permitted institutional policy;
19        (S) The use of any words, abbreviations, figures or
20    letters with the intention of indicating practice as an
21    athletic trainer without a valid license as an athletic
22    trainer under this Act;
23        (T) The evaluation or treatment of ailments of human
24    beings other than by the practice of athletic training as
25    defined in this Act or the treatment of injuries of
26    athletes by a licensed athletic trainer except by the

 

 

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1    referral of a physician, podiatric physician, or dentist;
2        (U) Willfully violating or knowingly assisting in the
3    violation of any law of this State relating to the use of
4    habit-forming drugs;
5        (V) Willfully violating or knowingly assisting in the
6    violation of any law of this State relating to the practice
7    of abortion;
8        (W) Continued practice by a person knowingly having an
9    infectious communicable or contagious disease;
10        (X) Being named as a perpetrator in an indicated report
11    by the Department of Children and Family Services pursuant
12    to the Abused and Neglected Child Reporting Act and upon
13    proof by clear and convincing evidence that the licensee
14    has caused a child to be an abused child or neglected child
15    as defined in the Abused and Neglected Child Reporting Act;
16        (Y) (Blank);
17        (Z) Failure to fulfill continuing education
18    requirements;
19        (AA) Allowing one's license under this Act to be used
20    by an unlicensed person in violation of this Act;
21        (BB) Practicing under a false or, except as provided by
22    law, assumed name;
23        (CC) Promotion of the sale of drugs, devices,
24    appliances, or goods provided in any manner to exploit the
25    client for the financial gain of the licensee;
26        (DD) Gross, willful, or continued overcharging for

 

 

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1    professional services;
2        (EE) Mental illness or disability that results in the
3    inability to practice under this Act with reasonable
4    judgment, skill, or safety; or
5        (FF) Cheating on or attempting to subvert the licensing
6    examination administered under this Act.
7    All fines imposed under this Section shall be paid within
860 days after the effective date of the order imposing the fine
9or in accordance with the terms set forth in the order imposing
10the fine.
11    (2) The determination by a circuit court that a licensee is
12subject to involuntary admission or judicial admission as
13provided in the Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities
14Code operates as an automatic suspension. Such suspension will
15end only upon a finding by a court that the licensee is no
16longer subject to involuntary admission or judicial admission
17and issuance of an order so finding and discharging the
18licensee.
19    (3) The Department may refuse to issue or may suspend
20without hearing, as provided for in the Code of Civil
21Procedure, the license of any person who fails to file a
22return, to pay the tax, penalty, or interest shown in a filed
23return, or to pay any final assessment of tax, penalty, or
24interest as required by any tax Act administered by the
25Illinois Department of Revenue, until such time as the
26requirements of any such tax Act are satisfied in accordance

 

 

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1with subsection (a) of Section 2105-15 of the Department of
2Professional Regulation Law of the Civil Administrative Code of
3Illinois.
4    (4) In enforcing this Section, the Department, upon a
5showing of a possible violation, may compel any individual who
6is licensed under this Act or any individual who has applied
7for licensure to submit to a mental or physical examination or
8evaluation, or both, which may include a substance abuse or
9sexual offender evaluation, at the expense of the Department.
10The Department shall specifically designate the examining
11physician licensed to practice medicine in all of its branches
12or, if applicable, the multidisciplinary team involved in
13providing the mental or physical examination and evaluation.
14The multidisciplinary team shall be led by a physician licensed
15to practice medicine in all of its branches and may consist of
16one or more or a combination of physicians licensed to practice
17medicine in all of its branches, licensed chiropractic
18physicians, licensed clinical psychologists, licensed clinical
19social workers, licensed clinical professional counselors, and
20other professional and administrative staff. Any examining
21physician or member of the multidisciplinary team may require
22any person ordered to submit to an examination and evaluation
23pursuant to this Section to submit to any additional
24supplemental testing deemed necessary to complete any
25examination or evaluation process, including, but not limited
26to, blood testing, urinalysis, psychological testing, or

 

 

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1neuropsychological testing.
2    The Department may order the examining physician or any
3member of the multidisciplinary team to provide to the
4Department any and all records, including business records,
5that relate to the examination and evaluation, including any
6supplemental testing performed. The Department may order the
7examining physician or any member of the multidisciplinary team
8to present testimony concerning this examination and
9evaluation of the licensee or applicant, including testimony
10concerning any supplemental testing or documents relating to
11the examination and evaluation. No information, report,
12record, or other documents in any way related to the
13examination and evaluation shall be excluded by reason of any
14common law or statutory privilege relating to communication
15between the licensee or applicant and the examining physician
16or any member of the multidisciplinary team. No authorization
17is necessary from the licensee or applicant ordered to undergo
18an evaluation and examination for the examining physician or
19any member of the multidisciplinary team to provide
20information, reports, records, or other documents or to provide
21any testimony regarding the examination and evaluation. The
22individual to be examined may have, at his or her own expense,
23another physician of his or her choice present during all
24aspects of the examination.
25    Failure of any individual to submit to a mental or physical
26examination or evaluation, or both, when directed, shall result

 

 

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1in an automatic suspension without hearing, until such time as
2the individual submits to the examination. If the Department
3finds a licensee unable to practice because of the reasons set
4forth in this Section, the Department shall require the
5licensee to submit to care, counseling, or treatment by
6physicians approved or designated by the Department as a
7condition for continued, reinstated, or renewed licensure.
8    When the Secretary immediately suspends a license under
9this Section, a hearing upon such person's license must be
10convened by the Department within 15 days after the suspension
11and completed without appreciable delay. The Department shall
12have the authority to review the licensee's record of treatment
13and counseling regarding the impairment to the extent permitted
14by applicable federal statutes and regulations safeguarding
15the confidentiality of medical records.
16    Individuals licensed under this Act who are affected under
17this Section shall be afforded an opportunity to demonstrate to
18the Department that they can resume practice in compliance with
19acceptable and prevailing standards under the provisions of
20their license.
21    (5) The Department shall deny a license or renewal
22authorized by this Act to a person who has defaulted on an
23educational loan or scholarship provided or guaranteed by the
24Illinois Student Assistance Commission or any governmental
25agency of this State in accordance with paragraph (5) of
26subsection (a) of Section 2105-15 of the Department of

 

 

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1Professional Regulation Law of the Civil Administrative Code of
2Illinois.
3    (6) In cases where the Department of Healthcare and Family
4Services has previously determined a licensee or a potential
5licensee is more than 30 days delinquent in the payment of
6child support and has subsequently certified the delinquency to
7the Department, the Department may refuse to issue or renew or
8may revoke or suspend that person's license or may take other
9disciplinary action against that person based solely upon the
10certification of delinquency made by the Department of
11Healthcare and Family Services in accordance with paragraph (5)
12of subsection (a) of Section 2105-15 of the Department of
13Professional Regulation Law of the Civil Administrative Code of
14Illinois.
15(Source: P.A. 98-214, eff. 8-9-13; 99-469, eff. 8-26-15.)