SB2099 amends the Illinois Athletic Trainers Practice Act to change how the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation handles expired athletic trainer licenses. The bill requires the Department to notify an athletic trainer at least 30 days before a license expires that failure to place the license into inactive status will trigger restoration fees if the license lapses.
The bill also creates a fee waiver for certain license restorations. If an athletic trainer’s license has been expired for no more than five years, and the trainer was actively practicing in another jurisdiction during the lapse, the Department must waive any restoration fee or lapsed renewal fee once the trainer submits an affidavit attesting to that fact. For licenses expired more than five years, the existing restoration process remains, including proof of fitness, possible evaluation by rule, and payment of required fees. The bill also preserves special treatment for licenses that expired while the trainer was in qualifying military service.
Impact
SB2099 would directly affect the Illinois Athletic Trainers Practice Act by adding a new notice requirement and modifying the restoration rules for expired licenses. It would limit the Department’s discretion in certain cases by mandating fee waivers for eligible athletic trainers who maintained active practice in another jurisdiction during a lapse of five years or less. The bill would also reinforce the existing restoration framework for longer-expired licenses and for applicants who cannot show qualifying out-of-state practice, while leaving military-service-related restoration protections in place.
Sentiment
Based on the bill text and available context, the measure appears to be a relatively technical licensing and fee-relief proposal rather than a controversial policy change. The caption and language suggest a consumer/professional-regulation focus aimed at easing reinstatement for working athletic trainers and improving notice before expiration. No committee transcripts or recorded votes were provided, so there is no documented public debate or formal vote history to indicate broader support or opposition.
Contention
The main potential point of contention is the mandatory waiver of restoration and lapsed renewal fees for certain applicants, which reduces revenue and removes Department discretion when the statutory conditions are met. Another possible issue is the reliance on an affidavit and proof of out-of-state practice, which could raise administrative verification concerns. Otherwise, the bill appears narrowly tailored, with the most likely supporters being athletic trainers and professional licensing stakeholders, and any opposition likely centered on administrative burden or fee-policy concerns.
Permits certain licensed athletic trainers who are licensed to practice in another state, territory or country to provide athletic training services to athletes and team personnel at a discrete sanctioned team sporting event or performance in this state.