2013 Maryland Code
BUSINESS REGULATION
§ 4-315 - Boxing, kick boxing, or mixed martial arts contests [Effective until July 1, 2013].

§4-315.

(a) A boxer, kick boxer, or mixed martial arts contestant shall be allowed to enter the ring only if:

(1) a physician approved by the Commission declares the boxer, kick boxer, or mixed martial arts contestant to be physically fit; and

(2) the boxer, kick boxer, or mixed martial arts contestant has complied with § 4-304.1 of this subtitle.

(b) Each boxer, kick boxer, or mixed martial arts contestant in a contest shall submit to a chemical test of the urine of the boxer, kick boxer, or mixed martial arts contestant to detect the presence of a controlled dangerous substance defined in § 5-101 of the Criminal Law Article or other substance that the Commission prohibits by regulation.

(c) The Commission shall set the length in rounds of each boxing, kick boxing, and mixed martial arts contest.

(d) (1) The Commission shall adopt regulations to ensure the safety of individuals who participate in amateur or professional mixed martial arts contests.

(2) In developing the regulations, the Commission shall consider:

(i) appropriate limits on acceptable maneuvers;

(ii) time limits for contest rounds; and

(iii) rules for termination of a contest.

§ 4-315 - Boxing, kick boxing, or mixed martial arts contests [Effective July 1, 2013].

(a) Contestant to be physically fit; blood tests. -- A contestant shall be allowed to enter the ring only if:

(1) a physician approved by the Commission declares the contestant to be physically fit; and

(2) the contestant has complied with § 4-304.1 of this subtitle.

(b) Urine or blood test required. --

(1) Each contestant in a contest shall submit to:

(i) a chemical test of the urine or blood of the contestant to detect the presence of a controlled dangerous substance defined in § 5-101 of the Criminal Law Article or other substance that the Commission prohibits by regulation; and

(ii) subject to paragraph (2) of this subsection, a test of the blood or urine of the contestant to detect the presence of performance enhancing drugs, including:

1. human growth hormones; and

2. anabolic steroids.

(2) A contestant shall be required to submit to a blood or urine test under paragraph (1)(ii) of this subsection if:

(i) there is reasonable cause to believe the contestant has used a substance prohibited by regulation;

(ii) the contestant was randomly selected by lottery; or

(iii) the contestant has a documented or otherwise verified history of drug use within the 5 years immediately preceding the date of the contest.

(c) Number of rounds. -- The Commission shall set the length in rounds of each contest.

(d) Safety regulations. --

(1) The Commission shall adopt regulations to ensure the safety of individuals who participate in amateur or professional mixed martial arts contests.

(2) In developing the regulations, the Commission shall consider:

(i) appropriate limits on acceptable maneuvers;

(ii) time limits for contest rounds; and

(iii) rules for termination of a contest.