House Bill 2097

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    Florida House of Representatives - 2000                HB 2097

        By the Committee on Tourism and Representatives Starks,
    Sobel, Bush, Farkas, Argenziano, R. Diaz de la Portilla and
    Hafner




  1                      A bill to be entitled

  2         An act relating to the Florida State Boxing

  3         Commission; amending s. 548.002, F.S.;

  4         providing a definition; amending s. 548.003,

  5         F.S.; requiring one member of the Florida State

  6         Boxing Commission to be a licensed physician;

  7         providing additional duties and

  8         responsibilities of the commission; amending s.

  9         548.008, F.S.; increasing the penalty for

10         participating in or promoting a toughman or

11         badman competition; providing for certification

12         of violations; amending s. 548.017, F.S.;

13         providing requirements for ringside physicians;

14         amending s. 548.021, F.S.; providing a criminal

15         penalty for attempting to obtain a license by

16         means of fraudulent information; creating s.

17         548.024, F.S.; authorizing the commission to

18         adopt rules which provide for background

19         investigations of applicants for licensure;

20         authorizing the commission to require

21         submission of fingerprint cards; providing

22         procedure for processing fingerprint cards;

23         amending s. 548.028, F.S.; expanding provisions

24         with respect to persons whom the commission

25         shall not license; amending s. 548.041, F.S.;

26         providing requirements and restrictions with

27         respect to age, condition, and suspension of

28         boxers; providing for revocation of license

29         under specified circumstances; amending s.

30         548.043, F.S.; providing requirements and

31         procedure for the weighing of participants in a

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  1         boxing match; amending s. 548.046, F.S.;

  2         revising provisions with respect to physicians'

  3         attendance at boxing matches; requiring the

  4         provision of urine samples by participants

  5         under specified circumstances; providing for

  6         revocation of license for failure or refusal to

  7         provide a required urine sample; providing

  8         conditions with respect to forfeiture and

  9         redistribution of purse upon failure or refusal

10         to provide a required urine sample; specifying

11         authority of physicians at boxing matches;

12         providing procedure in the event of injury of a

13         referee; amending s. 548.049, F.S.; increasing

14         the minimum coverage amount of required

15         insurance for participants in boxing matches;

16         requiring promoters to pay any deductible for

17         such insurance policy; amending s. 548.05,

18         F.S.; providing additional requirements with

19         respect to contracts between promoters, foreign

20         copromoters, and professionals; amending s.

21         548.057, F.S.; placing specified restrictions

22         on judges of boxing matches; providing

23         requirements with respect to number and

24         location of judges; amending s. 548.074, F.S.;

25         providing that the department shall have the

26         power to administer oaths, take depositions,

27         make inspections, serve subpoenas, and compel

28         the attendance of witnesses and other evidence;

29         amending s. 548.075, F.S.; authorizing the

30         commission to adopt rules to permit the

31         issuance of citations; repealing s. 548.045,

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  1         F.S., relating to the creation, qualifications,

  2         compensation, and powers and duties of the

  3         medical advisory council; providing an

  4         effective date.

  5

  6  Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Florida:

  7

  8         Section 1.  Subsection (17) of section 548.002, Florida

  9  Statutes, is renumbered as subsection (18), and a new

10  subsection (17) is added to said section to read:

11         548.002  Definitions.--As used in this act, the term:

12         (17)  "Second" or "cornerman" means a person who

13  assists the fight participant between rounds and maintains the

14  corner of the participant during the match.

15         Section 2.  Subsections (1) and (2) of section 548.003,

16  Florida Statutes, are amended to read:

17         548.003  Florida State Boxing Commission; powers;

18  organization; meetings; accountability of commission members;

19  compensation and travel expenses; association membership and

20  participation.--

21         (1)  The Florida State Boxing Commission is created and

22  is assigned to the Department of Business and Professional

23  Regulation for administrative and fiscal accountability

24  purposes only. The Florida State Boxing Commission shall

25  consist of five members appointed by the Governor, subject to

26  confirmation by the Senate. One member must be a physician

27  licensed pursuant to chapter 458 or chapter 459, who must

28  maintain an unencumbered license in good standing, and who

29  must, at the time of her or his appointment, have practiced

30  medicine for at least 5 years. Upon the expiration of the term

31  of a commissioner, the Governor shall appoint a successor to

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  1  serve for a 4-year term. A commissioner whose term has expired

  2  shall continue to serve on the commission until such time as a

  3  replacement is appointed.  If a vacancy on the commission

  4  occurs prior to the expiration of the term, it shall be filled

  5  for the unexpired portion of the term in the same manner as

  6  the original appointment.

  7         (2)  The Florida State Boxing Commission, as created by

  8  subsection (1), shall administer the provisions of this

  9  chapter. The commission has authority to adopt rules pursuant

10  to ss. 120.536(1) and 120.54 to implement the provisions of

11  this chapter and to implement each of the duties and

12  responsibilities conferred upon the commission, including, but

13  not limited to:

14         (a)  Development of an ethical code of conduct for

15  commissioners, commission staff, and commission officials;

16         (b)  Facility and safety requirements relating to the

17  ring, floor plan and apron seating, emergency medical

18  equipment and services, and other equipment and services

19  necessary for the conduct of a program of matches;

20         (c)  Requirements regarding a participant's apparel,

21  bandages, handwraps, gloves, mouthpiece, and appearance during

22  a match;

23         (d)  Requirements relating to a manager's

24  participation, presence, and conduct during a match;

25         (e)  Duties and responsibilities of all licensees under

26  this chapter;

27         (f)  Procedures for hearings and resolution of

28  disputes;

29         (g)  Qualifications for appointment of referees and

30  judges;

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  1         (h)  Qualifications for and appointment of chief

  2  inspectors and inspectors, and duties and responsibilities of

  3  chief inspectors and inspectors with respect to oversight and

  4  coordination of activities for each program of matches

  5  regulated under this chapter;

  6         (i)  Designation and duties of a knockdown timekeeper;

  7  and

  8         (j)  Setting fee and reimbursement schedules for

  9  referees and other officials appointed by the commission or

10  the representative of the commission.

11         Section 3.  Section 548.008, Florida Statutes, is

12  amended to read:

13         548.008  Toughman and badman competition prohibited.--

14         (1)  No professional or amateur toughman or badman

15  match, as described in this section, may be held in this

16  state.  Such competition includes any contest or exhibition

17  where participants compete by using a combination of fighting

18  skills.  Such skills may include, but are not limited to,

19  boxing, wrestling, kicking, or martial arts skills.

20  Notwithstanding the above, this section shall not preclude

21  kickboxing as regulated by this chapter.

22         (2)  Any person participating in or promoting a

23  professional or amateur toughman or badman match is guilty of

24  a felony of the third degree misdemeanor of the second degree,

25  punishable as provided in s. 775.082 or s. 775.083.

26         (3)  Upon certification by the commission that a

27  violation of this section has occurred or may occur, local law

28  enforcement shall take action pursuant to this section. The

29  commission may delegate its authority to certify a violation

30  to the executive director.

31

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  1         Section 4.  Section 548.017, Florida Statutes, is

  2  amended to read:

  3         548.017  Boxers, managers, and other persons required

  4  to have licenses.--

  5         (1)  A professional participant, manager, trainer,

  6  second, timekeeper, referee, judge, announcer, physician,

  7  matchmaker, or booking agent or representative of a booking

  8  agent shall be licensed before directly or indirectly acting

  9  in such capacity in connection with any match involving a

10  professional. A physician must be licensed pursuant to chapter

11  458 or chapter 459, must maintain an unencumbered license in

12  good standing, and must demonstrate satisfactory medical

13  training or experience in boxing, or a combination of both, to

14  the executive director prior to working as the ringside

15  physician.

16         (2)  A violation of this section is a misdemeanor of

17  the second degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082 or s.

18  775.083.

19         Section 5.  Section 548.021, Florida Statutes, is

20  amended to read:

21         548.021  Applications for licenses and permits.--

22         (1)  An application for a license or a permit must:

23         (a)(1)  Be in writing on a form supplied by the

24  commission which shall contain the applicant's social security

25  number.

26         (b)(2)  Be verified by the applicant.

27         (c)(3)  Be complete and have attached to the

28  application any photographs and other exhibits required.

29         (2)(4)  Pursuant to the federal Personal Responsibility

30  and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996, each party is

31  required to provide his or her social security number in

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  1  accordance with this section.  Disclosure of social security

  2  numbers obtained through this requirement shall be limited to

  3  the purpose of administration of the Title IV-D program for

  4  child support enforcement.

  5         (3)  Any person who seeks to obtain a license by means

  6  of false or fraudulent representations made in any application

  7  or who otherwise makes false statements concerning her or his

  8  medical history, boxing record, or other personal information

  9  commits a misdemeanor of the second degree, punishable as

10  provided in s. 775.082 or s. 775.083.

11         Section 6.  Section 548.024, Florida Statutes, is

12  created to read:

13         548.024  Background investigation of applicants for

14  licensure.--

15         (1)  The commission is authorized to adopt rules

16  pursuant to ss. 120.536(1) and 120.54 which provide for

17  background investigations of applicants for licensure under

18  this chapter for the purpose of ensuring the accuracy of the

19  information provided in the application; ensuring that there

20  are no active or pending criminal or civil indictments against

21  the applicant; and ensuring satisfaction of all other

22  requirements of this chapter. The background investigation may

23  include, but is not limited to, the criminal and financial

24  history of the applicant.

25         (2)  If the commission requires a background criminal

26  history investigation of any applicant, it may require the

27  applicant to submit to the department a fingerprint card for

28  this purpose. The fingerprint card shall be forwarded to the

29  Division of Criminal Justice Information Systems within the

30  Department of Law Enforcement and the Federal Bureau of

31  Investigation for purposes of processing the fingerprint card

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  1  to determine if the applicant has a criminal history record.

  2  The information obtained by the processing of the fingerprint

  3  card by the Department of Law Enforcement and the Federal

  4  Bureau of Investigation shall be sent to the department for

  5  the purpose of determining if the applicant is statutorily

  6  qualified for licensure.

  7         Section 7.  Section 548.028, Florida Statutes, is

  8  amended to read:

  9         548.028  Refusal to issue license.--The commission

10  shall not issue a license to:

11         (1)  Any person or business entity that who in any

12  jurisdiction has been convicted of any act, or who has a

13  trustee, partner, officer, director, or owner that has been

14  convicted of any act, which would constitute a violation of

15  this chapter or which would constitute any of the grounds set

16  forth in this chapter for suspension or revocation of a

17  license or against whom such charges are pending before any

18  regulatory body; or

19         (2)  Any person or business entity that who has been

20  named in any an information or indictment, or who has a

21  trustee, partner, officer, director, or owner that has been

22  named in an information or indictment, for any act which would

23  constitute a violation of this chapter or a ground for

24  suspension or revocation of a license.

25         Section 8.  Section 548.041, Florida Statutes, is

26  amended to read:

27         (Substantial rewording of section. See

28         s. 548.041, F.S., for present text.)

29         548.041  Age, condition, and suspension of boxers.--

30

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  1         (1)  A person shall not be licensed as a participant,

  2  and the license of any participant shall be suspended or

  3  revoked, if such person:

  4         (a)  Is under the age of 18;

  5         (b)  Has participated in a match in this state which

  6  was not sanctioned by the commission; or

  7         (c)  Does not meet certain health and medical

  8  examination conditions as required by rule of the commission.

  9         (2)(a)  A participant losing by knockout as a result of

10  being counted out in any jurisdiction shall be automatically

11  suspended for a period of time as determined by the attending

12  physician or commission representative, or 60 calendar days

13  from the date of the knockout, whichever is longer.  A

14  participant shall not engage in any match, contact exhibition,

15  or contact sparring for training purposes during the

16  suspension period. After the suspension period and prior to

17  engaging in any match, contact exhibition, or contact sparring

18  for training purposes, the participant shall be examined by a

19  physician. The participant shall advise the physician of the

20  previous knockout or technical draw and shall provide medical

21  records or his or her permission for the physician to consult

22  with the treating physician at the time of the previous

23  knockout or technical draw. The results of this examination

24  shall be filed with the commission prior to any further

25  matches being approved for the participant.

26         (b)  A participant losing by technical knockout,

27  technical draw, or disqualification shall be automatically

28  suspended for a period of time to be determined by the

29  physician or commission representative, or 30 calendar days

30  from the date of the technical knockout, technical draw, or

31  disqualification, whichever is longer. A participant shall not

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  1  engage in any match, contact exhibition, or contact sparring

  2  for training purposes during the suspension period without the

  3  approval of the physician. After the suspension period and

  4  prior to engaging in any match, contact exhibition, or contact

  5  sparring for training purposes, the participant shall be

  6  examined by a physician. The participant shall advise the

  7  physician of the previous knockout or technical draw and shall

  8  provide medical records or his or her permission for the

  9  physician to consult with the treating physician at the time

10  of the previous knockout or technical draw. The results of

11  this examination shall be filed with the commission prior to

12  any further matches being approved for the participant. In the

13  case of a disqualification, the commission representative

14  shall determine whether a medical clearance shall be required

15  following suspension.

16         (c)  Any participant who has been suspended by any

17  state as a result of a recent knockout or series of

18  consecutive losses, an injury, requirement for a medical

19  procedure, physician denial of certification, failure of a

20  drug test, the use of false aliases, or the falsifying or

21  attempting to falsify official identification cards or

22  documents shall not be permitted to participate in this state

23  until such time as the state in which the participant is

24  suspended removes his or her name from the suspension list or

25  until the requirements of such suspension have been fulfilled

26  and proof of such has been provided to this state. If a

27  participant has been suspended in another state for any reason

28  other than those stated in this paragraph, the participant may

29  be permitted to participate if the state in which the

30  participant is suspended is notified and consulted with by

31  this state prior to the granting of approval to participate or

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  1  the participant appeals to the Association of Boxing

  2  Commissions and the association determines that the suspension

  3  of such participant was without sufficient grounds, for an

  4  improper purpose, or not related to the health and safety of

  5  the participant.

  6         (d)  Any participant who fails to appear at a match or

  7  fails to appear at a match at the designated time for which

  8  the participant or the participant's manager has contracted

  9  and does not provide a valid reason or, in the case of

10  physical disability, furnish a physician's certificate, shall

11  be suspended for a period to be determined by the commission.

12  In making this determination, the commission shall consider

13  the following factors:

14         1.  The relative importance of the match;

15         2.  The participant's past record of failure to appear

16  and failure to appear at the designated time; and

17         3.  The reasons for the participant's failure to appear

18  or appear at the designated time.

19         (e)  The license of any participant shall be revoked

20  and shall not be reinstated if such participant intentionally

21  strikes, strikes at, or touches in any way or threatens to

22  touch in any way, any official.

23         Section 9.  Subsection (4) is added to section 548.043,

24  Florida Statutes, to read:

25         548.043  Weights and classes, limitations; gloves.--

26         (4)  Participants in a match shall be weighed on the

27  same scale at a time and place to be determined by the

28  commission or a commission representative. The weigh-in shall

29  be conducted in the presence of the opponent of the

30  participant and a commission representative.  If a participant

31  fails to arrive at the weigh-in at the scheduled time and

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  1  place, the opponent of the late-arriving participant will be

  2  permitted to be weighed without the late-arriving participant

  3  present.  The participant who arrived at the weigh-in on time

  4  shall not lose his right of observing the weighing in of his

  5  opponent.  The weigh-in shall occur no sooner than 4:00 p.m.

  6  on the day preceding the date of the program of matches or at

  7  such other time as designated by the commission.

  8         Section 10.  Section 548.046, Florida Statutes, is

  9  amended to read:

10         548.046  Physician's attendance at match; examinations;

11  cancellation of match.--

12         (1)  The commission, or the representative of the

13  commission, shall assign to each match at least one a

14  physician who shall observe the physical condition of the

15  participants and advise the commissioner or commission

16  representative deputy in charge and the referee of the

17  participants' conditions before, and during, and after the

18  match.  The commission shall establish a schedule of fees for

19  the physician's services.  The physician's fee shall be paid

20  by the promoter of the match attended by the physician.

21         (2)  In addition to any other required examination,

22  each participant shall be examined by the attending physician

23  at the time of weigh-in. If the physician determines that a

24  participant is physically or mentally unfit to proceed, the

25  physician shall notify any commissioner or the commission

26  representative who shall immediately cancel the match.  The

27  examination shall conform to rules adopted by the commission

28  based on the advice of the medical advisory council. The

29  result of the examination shall be reported in a writing

30  signed by the physician and filed with the commission prior to

31  completion of the weigh-in.

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  1         (3)(a)  Whenever the commission representative has

  2  reason to believe that a participant has ingested or used a

  3  prohibited drug or foreign substance, the commission

  4  representative shall request and the participant shall

  5  provide, under the supervision of the attending physician,

  6  commission representative, or inspector, a sample of his or

  7  her urine taken not more than 1 hour after the conclusion of

  8  the match. No participant shall use substances or methods

  9  which could alter the integrity of the urine sample. Urine

10  samples shall be taken in accordance with the protocol as

11  agreed upon in writing between the commission and the

12  laboratory used for processing the urine samples.

13         (b)  Failure or refusal to provide a urine sample

14  immediately upon request shall result in the revocation of the

15  participant's license. Any participant who has been adjudged

16  the loser of a match and who subsequently refuses to or is

17  unable to provide a urine sample shall forfeit his or her

18  share of the purse to the commission. Any participant who is

19  adjudged the winner of a match and who subsequently refuses to

20  or is unable to provide a urine sample shall forfeit the win

21  and shall not be allowed to engage in any future match in

22  Florida. A no decision result shall be entered into the

23  official record as the result of the match. The purse shall be

24  redistributed as though the participant found to be in

25  violation of this subsection had lost the match. If

26  redistribution of the purse is not necessary or after

27  redistribution of the purse is completed, the participant

28  found to be in violation of this subsection shall forfeit his

29  or her share of the purse to the commission.

30         (4)  The attending physician or physicians shall

31  provide medical assistance at the facility, shall have

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  1  complete charge, and shall be accorded the full cooperation of

  2  all commission representatives and licensees present for any

  3  illness or injury sustained by any person under the

  4  jurisdiction of the commission as a result of a match.  If, in

  5  the opinion of the attending physician, the referee has

  6  received an injury which prohibits the referee from continuing

  7  to officiate, the physician shall notify the commission

  8  representative who shall temporarily halt the match.  The

  9  injured referee shall be attended to by the physician until

10  the referee is no longer in danger or has been transferred to

11  the care of another qualified person.

12         Section 11.  Section 548.049, Florida Statutes, is

13  amended to read:

14         548.049  Medical, surgical, and hospital insurance;

15  life insurance.--

16         (1)  The commission shall, by rule, require

17  participants to be covered by not less than $5,000 $2,500 of

18  insurance for medical, surgical, and hospital care required as

19  a result of injuries sustained while engaged in matches.  The

20  insured shall be the beneficiary of such policies. Any

21  deductible associated with the insurance policy shall be paid

22  by the promoter and shall not be paid by or charged to the

23  participant.

24         (2)  The commission may also require participants to be

25  covered by not less than $5,000 of life insurance covering

26  deaths caused by injuries received while engaged in matches.

27         Section 12.  Subsection (1) of section 548.05, Florida

28  Statutes, is amended to read:

29         548.05  Control of contracts.--

30         (1)  The commission shall adopt rules governing the

31  form and content of contracts between promoters, foreign

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  1  copromoters, and professionals.  All such contracts shall be

  2  in writing and shall contain all provisions specifically

  3  worded as required by rules of the commission. Contracts which

  4  do not contain all provisions specifically worded as required

  5  by rules of the commission shall be deemed to contain such

  6  provisions.

  7         Section 13.  Subsections (6) through (11) are added to

  8  section 548.057, Florida Statutes, to read:

  9         548.057  Attendance of Referee and judges; attendance

10  at match; scoring; seconds.--

11         (6)  No judge licensed in this state shall act as a

12  judge at any match in a state, territory, commonwealth, or

13  Native American Reservation that is not regulated by a state

14  boxing commission unless the match is supervised by a state

15  boxing commission.

16         (7)  No judge shall also serve as a supervisor or on

17  the ratings committee or recommend boxers to the ratings

18  committee for a sanctioning body.

19         (8)  Any person whose application for a judge's license

20  has been denied shall not be permitted to reapply for a

21  judge's license for a period of 6 months. Any person whose

22  application for a judge's license has been denied on three

23  occasions shall not be permitted to reapply.

24         (9)  The number of judges shall be assigned in

25  accordance with rules of the commission.  The number of

26  unofficial judges at each event shall be limited to three by

27  the commission.

28         (10)  The judges shall be located in seats designated

29  for them by the commission representative.

30

31

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  1         (11)  In the event that sufficient judges are not

  2  available, a referee shall be selected to act as a judge for

  3  that specific program of matches.

  4         Section 14.  Section 548.074, Florida Statutes, is

  5  amended to read:

  6         548.074  Power to administer oaths, take depositions,

  7  and issue subpoenas.--For the purpose of any investigation or

  8  proceeding conducted pursuant to this chapter, the department

  9  shall have the power to administer oaths, take depositions,

10  make inspections when authorized by statute, issue subpoenas

11  which shall be supported by affidavit, serve subpoenas and

12  other process, and compel the attendance of witnesses and the

13  production of books, papers, documents, and other evidence.

14  The department shall exercise this power on its own initiative

15  or whenever requested by the commission. Challenges to, and

16  enforcement of, subpoenas and orders shall be handled as

17  provided in s. 120.569. In addition to the powers of subpoena

18  in chapter 120, each member of the commission may issue

19  subpoenas requiring the attendance and testimony of, or the

20  production of books and papers by, any person whom the

21  commission believes to have information or documents of

22  importance to any commission investigation.

23         Section 15.  Section 548.075, Florida Statutes, is

24  amended to read:

25         548.075  Administrative fines; citations.--

26         (1)  The commission may impose a fine of not more than

27  $5,000 for any violation of this chapter in lieu of or in

28  addition to any other punishment provided for such violation.

29         (2)  The commission may adopt rules pursuant to ss.

30  120.54 and 120.536(1) to permit the issuance of citations for

31

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  1  any violation of this chapter in lieu of or in addition to any

  2  other punishment provided for such violation.

  3         Section 16.  Section 548.045, Florida Statutes, is

  4  repealed.

  5         Section 17.  This act shall take effect upon becoming a

  6  law.

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CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.






    Florida House of Representatives - 2000                HB 2097

    177-260A-00






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  2                          HOUSE SUMMARY

  3
      Revises various provisions relating to the Florida State
  4    Boxing Commission. Defines "second" or "cornerman" for
      purposes of the act. Requires one member of the Florida
  5    State Boxing Commission to be a licensed physician.
      Provides additional duties and responsibilities of the
  6    commission.  Increases, from a second degree misdemeanor
      to a third degree felony, the penalty for participating
  7    in or promoting a toughman or badman competition.
      Provides for certification of violations with respect to
  8    toughman or badman competitions. Provides requirements
      for ringside physicians. Provides a second degree
  9    misdemeanor penalty for attempting to obtain a license by
      means of false or fraudulent representations or false
10    statements.  Authorizes the commission to adopt rules
      which provide for background investigations of applicants
11    for licensure.  Authorizes the commission to require
      submission of fingerprint cards and provides procedure
12    for processing such cards. Expands provisions with
      respect to persons whom the commission will not license.
13    Provides requirements and restrictions with respect to
      age, condition, and suspension of boxers. Provides for
14    revocation of license of any participant who
      intentionally strikes, touches, or threatens to touch any
15    official.  Provides requirements and procedure for the
      weighing of participants in a boxing match.  Revises
16    provisions with respect to physicians' attendance at
      boxing matches.  Requires the provision of urine samples
17    by participants under specified circumstances.  Provides
      for revocation of license for failure or refusal to
18    provide a required urine sample.  Provides conditions
      with respect to forfeiture and redistribution of purse
19    upon failure or refusal to provide a required urine
      sample.  Specifies authority of physicians at boxing
20    matches. Provides procedure in the event of injury of a
      referee.  Increases, from $2,500 to $5,000, the minimum
21    coverage amount of required insurance for participants in
      boxing matches and requires promoters to pay any
22    deductible for such insurance policy.  Provides
      additional requirements with respect to contracts between
23    promoters, foreign copromoters, and professionals.
      Places specified restrictions on judges of boxing
24    matches.  Provides requirements with respect to number
      and location of judges.  Provides that the department
25    shall have the power to administer oaths, take
      depositions, make inspections, serve subpoenas, and
26    compel the attendance of witnesses and other evidence.
      Authorizes the commission to adopt rules to permit the
27    issuance of citations. Eliminates the medical advisory
      council.
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