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Panel updates athletic trainer definition, exempts out-of-state team trainers and advances SB175
Summary
The House Health and Human Services Committee advanced Senate Bill 175, which revises the statutory definition of "athletic trainer," adds educational requirements, and creates a temporary licensure exemption for athletic trainers licensed in another jurisdiction who accompany an athletic team or organization to Kansas.
The Committee on House Health and Human Services voted to advance Senate Bill 175 after a hearing and discussion that included proponents from the Kansas Athletic Trainers Society and committee staff.
Senate Bill 175, as explained to the committee, updates KSA definitions related to athletic training and adds an exemption permitting an athletic trainer licensed in another state to provide services to members of that visiting athletic team or organization without obtaining Kansas licensure for that limited purpose. Carly, committee staff, told members the bill "updates the definition of athletic trainer and provides an exemption for an athletic trainer licensed in another jurisdiction who accompanies an athletic team or organization to this state." The bill as amended also specifies education and certification requirements for Kansas licensure.
The changes rewrite the statutory definition of athletic training in KSA 65-6902 to include injury prevention, physical evaluation, emergency care and referral, and physical reconditioning related to athletic activities — "including but not limited to sports participation, exercise, fitness training, strength and conditioning work, recreational physical activities, and competitive athletics," according to the staff summary. Section 2 creates the limited exemption for out-of-state athletic trainers who accompany teams, and Section 3 amends KSA 65-6907 to require applicants to provide proof of successful completion of the curriculum requirements of an accredited athletic training education program at an accredited college or university.
Shawna Jordan, government affairs chair for the Kansas Athletic Trainers Society, told the committee the changes are intended to "modernize and update the practice act to reflect our current athletic training education requirements, as well as ensuring the athletic trainers can work to their fullest extent." She said athletic training education has moved to the master’s level and that licensed athletic trainers collaborate with physicians in practice and patient care.
Jordan also said members of her association met with the state’s physical therapy association and the Kansas Board of Healing Arts while negotiating the version that cleared the Senate. "During the senate hearing, there was one opponent. But as the two organizations were able to meet, work together, and found a way to address their concerns, and what you saw before you was the amendment that was agreed upon and then went full voted on out of the committee and then went fully to pass in the senate," she said. Carly told the committee the bill passed the Senate 40-0 and, if enacted, would take effect July 1, 2025, upon publication in the statute book.
Representative McDonald raised a question about Section 2(f) — the exemption for out-of-state accompanying trainers — noting neutral testimony from the Kansas Chiropractic Association that requested removal of that subsection. Jordan said athletic trainers and the groups raising concerns continued to meet and agreed the remaining issues could be addressed in rules and regulations.
The committee approved a motion to suspend the rules and consider SB175 by an audible voice vote; members responded "aye," and the chair announced the motion carried. Earlier in the meeting, the committee also approved several sets of minutes by motion of Representative Blass, seconded by Representative Reese.
The bill’s text as explained to the committee and the staff summary cite amendments to KSA 65-6902, KSA 65-6906, and KSA 65-6907 and an effective date of July 1, 2025. The committee record indicates the bill was advanced for further action following committee approval.
The committee has not yet published implementing rules that would interpret the amended definition and the exemption; committee staff and proponents said those details would be addressed later through rulemaking with the Kansas Board of Healing Arts.
Votes at a glance: The committee took an audible voice vote to advance SB175; the chair announced the motion carried.
