2006 Code of Virginia § 54.1-831 - Powers and duties of the Department

54.1-831. Powers and duties of the Department.

The Department shall administer and enforce the provisions of this chapter.In addition to the powers and duties otherwise conferred by law, the Directorshall have the powers and duties of a regulatory board as contained in 54.1-201, and shall have the power and duty to:

1. Promulgate regulations in accordance with the Administrative Process Act( 2.2-4000 et seq.) which implement the federal Professional Boxing SafetyAct of 1996 (15 U.S.C. 6301 et seq.) and protect the public againstincompetent, unqualified, unscrupulous or unfit persons engaging in theactivities regulated by this chapter.

The regulations shall include requirements for (i) initial and renewallicensure, (ii) licensure and conduct of events, (iii) standards of practicefor persons arranging, promoting, conducting, supervising and participatingin events, (iv) grounds for disciplinary actions against licensees, (v)records to be kept and maintained by licensees, (vi) manner in which fees areto be accounted for and submitted to the Department, and (vii) minimum healthcoverage for injuries sustained in a boxing match. The Department shall havedirect oversight of events to assure the safety and well-being of boxers andwrestlers.

2. Charge each applicant for licensure and for renewals of licensure anonrefundable fee subject to the provisions of 54.1-113 and subdivision 4of 54.1-201.

3. Conduct investigations to determine the suitability of applicants forlicensure and to determine the licensee's compliance with applicable statutesand regulations.

4. Conduct investigations as to whether monopolies, combinations or othercircumstances exist to restrain matches or exhibitions of professional boxingor wrestling anywhere in the Commonwealth. The Attorney General may assistinvestigations at the request of the Department.

5. Exercise jurisdiction over all wrestling and boxing conducted within theCommonwealth by any person, except where otherwise exempted.

(1998, c. 895.)