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An Act To Regulate Mixed Martial Arts Competitions, Exhibitions and Events
Be it enacted by the People of the State of Maine as follows:
Sec. 1. 17-A MRSA §515, sub-§2, as enacted by PL 1975, c. 499, §1, is amended to read:
 
2. This section shalldoes not apply to any boxing contest or exhibition:
 
A.  Conducted by license and permit of the Maine State Boxing Commission; or
 
B. Under the auspices of a nonprofit organization at which no admission charge is made.
Sec. 2.  17-A MRSA §515, sub-§2-A  is enacted to read:
 
2-A.  This section does not apply to mixed martial arts competitions, exhibitions and events conducted by license of the Department of Professional and Financial Regulation.
Sec. 3.  32 MRSA §14363  is enacted to read:
§ 14363. Mixed martial arts competitions, exhibitions and events
 
1.  Definition.   For the purposes of this section, "mixed martial arts" means a combative sport that features a mixture of karate, jiu-jitsu, muay thai, tae kwon do, boxing, kick boxing, wrestling, judo and striking and grappling techniques.
 
2.  License; oversight.   A mixed martial arts competition, exhibition or event may not be held within this State without a license issued by the department and in accordance with the rules adopted pursuant to this section. The department shall supervise and oversee a mixed martial arts competition, exhibition or event in a manner that promotes mixed martial arts while protecting the public interest, ensuring the safety of all participants and spectators and achieving uniformity in the rules governing participation in these sports within the State.
 
3.  Advisory council.   The commissioner shall select members of the mixed martial arts community to serve on an advisory council and to consult with the commissioner concerning the regulation of mixed martial arts. The advisory council may submit recommendations to the department concerning any matter, and the department may consider the recommendations in making its decisions. Membership on the council is not a conflict of interest regardless of the occupations or associations of the members.
 
4.  Event report.   The promoter of a competition, event or exhibit subject to the requirements of this section shall file an event report with the department within 48 hours of the event. Event reports must include:
 
A.  The promoter's identity and license number;
 
B.  The participants' identities;
 
C.  The facility at which the event was held;
 
D.  A detailed factual description of any incident that required the immediate intervention of the attending physician during an event, including stopping the event or taking disciplinary action;
 
E.  When necessary, a recommendation to the department regarding any need for disciplinary action; and
 
F.  A certification that the officials, participants and event conformed to the requirements of this section and rules adopted pursuant to this section.
 
5.  Rules.   The Director of the Office of Licensing and Registration within the department may establish by rule the fees under this section in amounts that are reasonable and necessary for their respective purposes for a license for a term of one year from date of issuance to a person, club, association or corporation that is properly qualified to promote and conduct mixed martial arts competitions, exhibitions and events in accordance with this section.
 
The department may adopt rules governing officials in mixed martial arts competitions, exhibitions and events, including, but not limited to, referees, judges, contestants, promoters, managers, physicians, timekeepers and knockdown timekeepers. These rules may include, but are not limited to, licensing requirements, age limits and physical condition of participants, lengths of contests and rounds, specifications of the facilities and equipment used in contests and uniforms of contestants and referees, scoring of decisions, standards of weight and weighing of contestants and the manner of presentation of closed-circuit television events. The department may adopt rules requiring health and accident insurance providing coverage in the event of injury or death for persons competing in mixed martial arts competitions, exhibitions and events subject to this section. This insurance, if required, must comply with standards prescribed by the Superintendent of Insurance.
 
Rules adopted pursuant to this subsection are routine technical rules pursuant to Title 5, chapter 375, subchapter 2-A.
 
6.  Violation.   A person who violates this section is subject to the provisions of Title 10, section 8003-C.
 
SUMMARY
This bill allows a mixed martial arts competition, exhibition or event to be held in the State as long as a license is issued by the Department of Professional and Financial Regulation. It requires the department to supervise and oversee mixed martial arts competitions, exhibitions or events held within the State in a manner that promotes mixed martial arts while protecting the public interest. The bill requires the Commissioner of Professional and Financial Regulation to select members of the mixed martial arts community to serve on an advisory council and to consult with the commissioner concerning the regulation of mixed martial arts. It requires these events to be held in accordance with the rules adopted by the department.