1. (1) The Legislature recognizes the importance of extracurricular activities as a complement to the academic curriculum. Participation in a comprehensive extracurricular and academic program contributes to student development of the social and intellectual skills necessary to become a well-rounded adult. It is the intent of the Legislature that student safety and welfare be the foremost consideration in the conduct of these programs, and, in particular, that athletic programs be conducted with special attention to the prevention of physical injuries, minimization of severe injuries, and prevention of a recurrence of injuries.
2. (2) The Legislature hereby encourages each school district to establish and implement an athletic injuries prevention and treatment program. Central to this program should be the employment and availability of persons trained in the prevention and treatment of physical injuries which may occur during athletic activities. The program should reflect opportunities for progressive advancement and compensation in employment as provided in subsection (3) and meet certain other minimum standards developed by the Department of Education pursuant to paragraph (4)(c). The goal of the Legislature is to have school districts employ and have available a full-time teacher athletic trainer in each high school in the state.

3. (3)

   1. (a) To the extent practicable, a school district program should include the following employment classification and advancement scheme:

      1. Teacher apprentice trainer I.--To qualify as a teacher apprentice trainer I, a person must possess a professional, temporary, part-time, adjunct, or substitute certificate pursuant to s. 231.17, be certified in first aid and cardiopulmonary resuscitation, and have earned a minimum of 6 semester hours or the equivalent number of inservice education points in the basic prevention and care of athletic injuries.

      2. Teacher apprentice trainer II.--To qualify as a teacher apprentice trainer II, a person must meet the requirements of teacher apprentice trainer I and also have earned a minimum of 15 additional semester hours or the equivalent number of inservice education points in such courses as anatomy, physiology, use of modalities, nutrition, counseling, and other courses approved by the Commissioner of Education.

      3. Teacher athletic trainer.--To qualify as a teacher athletic trainer, a person must meet the requirements of teacher apprentice trainer II, be certified by the Department of Education or a nationally recognized athletic trainer association, and perform one or more of the following functions: preventing athletic injuries; recognizing, evaluating, managing, treating, and rehabilitating athletic injuries; administering an athletic training program; and educating and counseling athletes.

   2. (b) If a school district uses the services of an athletic trainer who is not a teacher athletic trainer or a teacher apprentice trainer within the requirements of this section, such athletic trainer must be licensed as required by part XIV of chapter 468.

4. (4) The Department of Education shall have the following responsibilities:

   1. (a) To provide technical assistance to school districts seeking assistance in developing and implementing an athletic injuries prevention and treatment program.
   2. (b) To singly, or collectively with school districts, develop and implement one or more inservice education programs in conjunction with teacher education centers, vocational-technical centers, community colleges, or state universities that assist instructional personnel in the attainment of standards required for designation as a teacher athletic trainer. Such programs may be conducted at the district, regional, or state level.
   3. (c) To recommend minimum standards for developing and implementing an athletic injuries prevention and treatment program.

History.--s. 1, ch. 88-257; s. 15, ch. 95-388; s. 121, ch. 97-190.