Conn. moves to fix poisoned MMA law

In June of 2013, MMA became legal in Connecticut, leaving New York State as the last state in the USA to legalize the world’s fastest growing sport.

A health care provision to the original bill was backed by Senate President Donald Williams Jr., a Democrat who voted against the main bill, after preventing the Senate from even considering it in previous years. The provision making promoters liable for health care costs associated with fighters’ injuries was such that promoting would be problematic.

“We wouldn’t promote a show within a jurisdiction that would require that,” said Reality Fighting matchmaker Joe Cuff at the time. “You’re taking on a ton of liability.”

“I don’t know as to what level they want covered, but that would be pretty hardcore. That’s kind of, yikes.”

All states, provinces, tribes, and municipalities that regulate MMA require insurance, but none requires promoters to cover fighters’ health care costs. Since the law passed, all MMA shows in the state have been on tribal land.

Now the General Assembly’s Public Safety Committee has approved legislation that would require extensive liability insurance. Further, it extends the amendment to professional boxing, in addition to MMA.

AN ACT CONCERNING BOXING AND MIXED MARTIAL ARTS.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Assembly convened:

Section 1. Section 29-143aa of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective October 1, 2015):

Any person, firm or corporation that employs, or contracts with, a person to be a boxer or competitor in a boxing, sparring or mixed martial arts match conducted pursuant to this chapter shall [be liable for any health care costs incurred by such competitor for the diagnosis, care and treatment of any injury, illness, disease or condition resulting from or caused] provide insurance for the protection of the boxer or competitor in matches produced by such person, firm or corporation. Such insurance coverage shall provide for reimbursement to the boxer or competitor for medical, dental, surgical and hospital care for all injuries sustained by such boxer’s or competitor’s participation in such match. [for the duration of such injury, illness, disease or condition] The Commissioner of Emergency Services and Public Protection shall adopt regulations, in accordance with chapter 54, concerning the insurance required by the provisions of this section.

This act shall take effect as follows and shall amend the following sections: Section 1 October 1, 2015

Statement of Purpose:

To require any person, firm or corporation that employs a person to be a boxer or competitor in a boxing, sparring or mixed martial arts match to provide insurance to reimburse the boxer or competitor for medical, dental, surgical and hospital care for injuries sustained in such match.

[Proposed deletions are enclosed in brackets. Proposed additions are indicated by underline, except that when the entire text of a bill or resolution or a section of a bill or resolution is new, it is not underlined.]

The amendment to the bill was approved with unanimous consent. The bill next moves to the floor of the Senate, which is expected to refer the bill to other committees.