5-228. Persons required to procure licenses; requirements; background information; fee; bond

A. All referees, judges, matchmakers, promoters, trainers, ring announcers, timekeepers, ringside physicians, inspectors, mixed martial arts contestants, boxers, managers and seconds are required to be licensed by the commission. The commission shall not permit any of these persons to participate in the holding of any contest unless the person has first procured a license.

B. Before participating in the holding of any boxing or mixed martial arts contest, a corporation, its officers and directors and any person holding twenty-five per cent or more of the ownership of the corporation shall obtain a license from the commission. Such a corporation must be authorized to do business under the laws of this state.

C. The commission shall require referees, judges, matchmakers, promoters and managers to furnish fingerprints and background information pursuant to section 41-1750, subsection G before licensure. The commission shall charge a fee for fingerprints and background information in an amount determined by the commission. The commission may require referees, judges, matchmakers, promoters and managers to furnish fingerprints and background information pursuant to section 41-1750, subsection G before license renewal if the commission determines the fingerprints and background information are necessary. The fee may include a reasonable charge for expenses incurred by the commission or the department of public safety. For such purpose the commission and the department of public safety may enter into an intergovernmental agreement pursuant to title 11, chapter 7, article 3. The fee shall be credited pursuant to sections 35-148 and 41-1750.

D. Before the commission issues a license to a promoter, matchmaker or corporation, the applicant shall:

1. Provide the commission with a copy of any agreement between any contestant and the applicant that binds the applicant to pay the contestant a certain fixed fee or percentage of the gate receipts.

2. Show on the application the owner or owners of the applicant entity and the per cent interest if they hold twenty-five per cent or more interest in the applicant.

3. Provide the commission with a copy of the latest financial statement of the entity.

4. Provide the commission with a copy of the insurance contract required by this chapter.

E. Before the commission issues a license to a promoter, the applicant shall deposit with the department a cash bond or surety bond in an amount set by the commission. The bond shall be executed in favor of this state and shall be conditioned on the faithful performance by the promoter of the promoter's obligations pursuant to this chapter and the rules adopted pursuant to this chapter.

F. Before the commission issues a license to a boxer or a mixed martial arts contestant, the applicant shall submit to the commission the results of a current medical examination performed by a physician licensed pursuant to title 32, chapter 13 or 17 on forms furnished or approved by the commission. In addition to the medical examination, the following information must be submitted:

1. The results of an ophthalmological examination that is recorded on forms furnished or approved by the commission.

2. Negative test results for the human immunodeficiency virus, the hepatitis B surface antigen and the hepatitis C antibody.

3. For persons over the age of thirty-six years, the results of a stress test that is administered by a physician licensed pursuant to title 32, chapter 13 or 17 accompanied by a clearance letter and the results of an electrocardiogram that demonstrates normal cardiovascular function. These results shall be completed within twenty-four months before the person submits the license application.

4. For persons over forty years of age, if recommended by an examining physician, the results of a brain magnetic resonance imaging scan.

5. For female contestants, a pregnancy test that demonstrates a negative result. A pregnancy test that demonstrates a negative result shall also be submitted to the commission by a female contestant before each weigh-in.

6. Any other examination or testing ordered by the commission.

G. Unless otherwise prescribed in subsection F of this section, the medical examinations and tests prescribed in subsection F of this section must be completed after December 15 of the year before the year that the license is issued or before December 15 of the same year that the license is issued. All medical examinations and tests, license applications, national identification card applications, photographs and any other required documents must be completed and received by the commission staff no later than 4:30 p.m. on the day that begins forty-eight hours before the scheduled event. An exception to the forty-eight hour requirement prescribed in this subsection may be granted by the executive director if a person is a late substitute or is traveling from outside this state and demonstrates good cause for not meeting the forty-eight hour requirement.