Legislative action needed to protect our student athletes

OPINION – According to a recent study by Korey Stringer Institute (KSI), California ranks last in the nation for high school athlete safety. KSI annually evaluates states based on their implementation of evidence-based best practices for preventing and managing the leading causes of sudden death in secondary school athletics. Key areas of assessment include policies on exertional heat stroke, traumatic head injuries, sudden cardiac arrest, emergency preparedness, and access to properly regulated healthcare providers, such as certified athletic trainers.

At the top of the list is Florida, which excels in student athlete safety in part due to its licensing of athletic trainers. In stark contrast, California sits at the bottom, lacking any regulation for athletic trainers and not requiring certified athletic trainers to be present during high-contact practices. This gap in regulation poses a significant threat to student-athletes across the state.

Imagine being a parent and witnessing your child collide with another player during a lacrosse game, only to realize there is no certified athletic trainer on-site to provide immediate, professional medical care. The consequences of such a scenario could be dire, from spinal injuries to concussions, or even life-threatening situations where a quick, informed decision could mean the difference between full recovery and permanent disability. Shockingly, California remains the only state without any regulatory standards for athletic trainers, a major factor contributing to its poor safety ranking.

Fortunately, there is hope for change. Assemblymember Dr. Akilah Weber has introduced Assembly Bill 796, which seeks to regulate athletic trainers in California. This bill would mandate that athletic trainers pass a national certification exam before practicing, ensuring that only qualified professionals care for our student-athletes. In my thirty years of sports medicine, I have witnessed countless lives saved by certified athletic trainers, including the recent heroic actions of Nate Breske, DPT, ATC, and Denny Kellington, MA, ATC, who saved Damar Hamlin’s life in front of the nation just last year.

Assembly Bill 796 is crucial for enhancing athlete safety in California. Our children deserve the highest level of protection, and that includes having certified athletic trainers present during sports activities. The bill is set to be reviewed by the Senate Business and Professions Committee this month. I urge the Legislature to pass Assembly Bill 796 and safeguard the well-being of California’s athletes.

The National Athletic Trainers’ Association (NATA) fully supports the California Athletic Trainers’ Association (CATA) and its advocacy for state licensure requirements for certified athletic trainers in California.

Kathy Dieringer, EdD, LAT, ATC is the 15th president of the National Athletic Trainers’ Association (NATA) and has more than 35 years of sports medicine experience.