There is nothing more important to Marlborough’s Head Athletic Trainer Chloe Kipnis than protecting student-athletes. That is why she has been on the front lines of a critical statewide mission: passing California Assembly Bill 796 (AB 796). AB 796 is a bill that provides title protection for athletic trainers, addressing a critical legislative gap in the State of California's regulation of athletic training professionals. For years, Ms. Kipnis has worked tirelessly alongside her peers in the California Athletic Trainers’ Association (CATA) to advocate for this important bill. When Governor Gavin Newsom signed it into law on September 29, 2024, it represented a watershed moment for sports medicine in the state.
“I worked hard to get my athletic trainer certification,” Ms. Kipnis explains, her passion evident. “Seeing the instances of harm done to youth athletes first hand made me realize how crucial proper regulation is.” Her involvement went far beyond passive support. As the Public Relations Committee Chair for CATA, she was actively involved in every stage of the bill’s journey. This meant helping organize awareness events, coordinating social media campaigns, and showing up for critical hearings in Sacramento. One notable effort was the “Team Up for Sport Safety” event, which brought together key stakeholders including the bill’s sponsor Dr. Akilah Weber and representatives from the Korey Stringer Institute—an institute dedicated to promoting health and safety best practices in the sports arena.
The bill’s path was far from easy. What began as a comprehensive licensure bill was gradually refined, ultimately becoming a title protection measure. “A lot of my work was about getting the word out,” Ms. Kipnis recalls. This included strategic social media posts and coordinating athletic trainers to be present at legislative hearings—a grassroots effort that proved crucial to the bill’s eventual success. For Ms. Kipnis, this was a pragmatic victory. “We have been fighting this battle of trying to get some type of regulation introduced for over 20 years, she said. “The end goal is still licensure, but we are very happy with at least having title protection to start out.”
Ms. Kipnis’ motivation for being so involved stems from deeply personal experiences working with youth athletes. At Marlborough, she has witnessed the critical role athletic trainers play in supporting student health. “In some situations, especially at the secondary school level, we might be a student’s only source of healthcare,” she explains. “For underserved students, the athletic trainer might be the only healthcare provider they see besides their pediatrician once a year.”
The bill’s significance goes beyond a professional title. It addresses serious safety concerns, preventing unqualified individuals from posing as athletic trainers. “It is a shame that there are people out there who don’t have the right credentials and have caused harm,” she says.
For Ms. Kipnis, the passage of AB 796 represents more than a legislative victory. It is a personal mission to protect young athletes and elevate her profession. Her work exemplifies how dedicated professionals can drive meaningful change, one Instagram post, legislative hearing, or petition signature at a time. With AB 796 now law, Ms. Kipnis continues her important work at Marlborough where she has supported students for years, watching them grow from “curious 7th graders” to accomplished young adults.