Requires certified athletic trainers to be trained in the administration of epinephrine auto-injectors (epi-pens) and would require such professionals to be equipped with the medication while performing professional activities.
Summary
S0321 amends Rhode Island’s athletic trainer licensing laws to add new safety requirements tied to epinephrine auto-injectors. Beginning September 1, 2025, athletic trainers must complete training and obtain a certificate under the state’s epinephrine-related training provisions as a condition of issuing or maintaining a license. The bill also requires every licensed athletic trainer to be trained and equipped with an epinephrine auto-injector while performing athletic trainer duties.
The measure is framed as a professional licensing update within Chapter 5-60 governing athletic trainers. It does not change the core educational or examination requirements for licensure, but it adds an ongoing competency and equipment requirement intended to improve emergency response to allergic reactions in athletic settings. The bill specifies that no existing state funds or appropriations may be used for the required training or supplies.
Impact
The bill directly amends Rhode Island General Laws § 5-60-10 and adds a new § 5-60-10.1, imposing new licensure conditions and practice requirements on athletic trainers. It affects licensed athletic trainers by requiring both certification-related training and possession of an epinephrine auto-injector during professional duties, while also limiting the use of state funds for implementation. The practical effect is to expand the scope of required emergency preparedness in athletic training practice and to create a statutory basis for enforcing these requirements through the licensing system.
Sentiment
The available voting record shows unanimous support, with passage votes of 35-0, 73-0, and 36-0. No committee transcript is available, but the absence of recorded opposition and the unanimous floor votes suggest the bill was viewed favorably and as a straightforward public-safety measure. The bill’s focus on emergency response and athlete protection likely contributed to its broad support.
Contention
No specific points of contention are reflected in the provided materials. The only notable policy limitation is the bill’s directive that no existing state funds or appropriations be used for the required training or supplies, which may have been intended to address cost concerns. Otherwise, the measure appears noncontroversial, with no recorded opposition in the votes and no committee debate provided.