The Florida Senate

455.607  Athletic trainers and massage therapists; requirement for instruction on human immunodeficiency virus and acquired immune deficiency syndrome.--

(1)  The board, or the department where there is no board, shall require each person licensed or certified under part XIII of chapter 468 or chapter 480 to complete a continuing educational course approved by the board, or the department where there is no board, on human immunodeficiency virus and acquired immune deficiency syndrome as part of biennial relicensure or recertification. The course shall consist of education on modes of transmission, infection control procedures, clinical management, and prevention of human immunodeficiency virus and acquired immune deficiency syndrome, with an emphasis on appropriate behavior and attitude change.

(2)  When filing fees for each biennial renewal, each licensee shall submit confirmation of having completed the course, on a form provided by the board or by the department if there is no board. At the time of the subsequent biennial renewal when coursework is to be completed, if the licensee has not submitted confirmation which has been received and recorded by the board, or department if there is no board, the department shall not renew the license.

(3)  The board, or the department where there is no board, shall have the authority to approve additional equivalent courses that may be used to satisfy the requirements in subsection (1).

(4)  The board, or the department where there is no board, shall require, as a condition of granting a license under any of the chapters or parts thereof specified in subsection (1), that an applicant making initial application for licensure complete an educational course acceptable to the board, or the department where there is no board, on human immunodeficiency virus and acquired immune deficiency syndrome. An applicant who has not taken a course at the time of licensure shall, upon an affidavit showing good cause, be allowed 6 months to complete this requirement.

(5)  The board, or the department where there is no board, shall have the authority to adopt rules to carry out the provisions of this section.

(6)  The board, or the department where there is no board, shall report to the Legislature by March 1 of each year as to the implementation and compliance with the requirements of this section.

(7)  Any professional holding two or more licenses subject to the provisions of this section shall be permitted to show proof of having taken one board-approved course, or one department-approved course where there is no board, on human immunodeficiency virus and acquired immune deficiency syndrome, for purposes of relicensure or recertification for additional licenses.

History.--s. 64, ch. 97-261; s. 11, ch. 99-349; s. 83, ch. 99-397.