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STATE OF MAINE
_____
IN THE YEAR OF OUR LORD
TWO THOUSAND TWENTY-THREE
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H.P. 597 - L.D. 950
An Act to Authorize Kickboxing and Muay Thai Competition Under the
Combat Sports Authority of Maine
Be it enacted by the People of the State of Maine as follows:
Sec. 1. 8 MRSA c. 20, headnote is amended to read:
CHAPTER 20
MIXED MARTIAL ARTS, MUAY THAI, KICKBOXING AND BOXING
Sec. 2. 8 MRSA §521, sub-§3-B is enacted to read:
3-B. Kickboxing.
which blows are delivered with the hand and any part of the leg below the hip, including
the bare foot, with the intent to disable or cause injury to an opponent in a contest,
exhibition or event.
Sec. 3. 8 MRSA §521, sub-§4, as enacted by PL 2009, c. 352, §2, is amended to
read:
4. Mixed martial arts.
compensation that features a mixture of karate, jiu-jitsu, muay thai Muay Thai, tae kwon
do, boxing, kick boxing kickboxing, wrestling, judo and striking and grappling techniques.
Sec. 4. 8 MRSA §521, sub-§5 is enacted to read:
5. Muay Thai.
which blows are delivered with the fist, elbow, knee and shin and in which various
clinching techniques are employed, with the intent to disable or cause injury to an opponent
in a contest, exhibition or event.
Sec. 5. 8 MRSA §522, sub-§2, as amended by PL 2011, c. 305, §4, is further
amended to read:
2. Purpose.
Muay Thai, kickboxing and boxing competitions, exhibitions and events in the State as set
APPROVED
JUNE 12, 2023
BY GOVERNOR
CHAPTER
152
PUBLIC LAW Page 2 - 131LR0834(03)
forth in this chapter. A mixed martial arts, Muay Thai, kickboxing or boxing competition,
exhibition or event may not be held in the State prior to the adoption of rules pursuant to
this chapter.
Sec. 6. 8 MRSA §522, sub-§7, as amended by PL 2011, c. 305, §4, is further
amended to read:
7. Revenue and expenditures.
arts, Muay Thai, kickboxing and boxing competitions, exhibitions and events, as well as
from the sale of goods and merchandise, in accordance with rules adopted pursuant to
sections 523 and 524. The authority may apply for, solicit and receive grants, donations
and gifts and may receive appropriations from the State and funds from other governmental
authorities. All funds received must be spent solely to assist with operational expenses in
furtherance of the purpose of the authority. Funds may be used to compensate members of
the authority for per diem and expenses in accordance with the board's bylaws. The board
may enter into contracts to obtain the assistance of staff sufficient to support operations of
the board.
Sec. 7. 8 MRSA §523, sub-§1, as amended by PL 2011, c. 305, §5, is further
amended to read:
1. Rules.
the integrity of competition, as well as to establish a certification process authorizing
participation in a mixed martial arts, Muay Thai, kickboxing or boxing competition,
exhibition or event and set the fee schedules for all authorized participants. A certificate
authorizing participation in a mixed martial arts, Muay Thai, kickboxing or boxing
competition, exhibition or event may be issued for one year or such other time period as
may be fixed by rule under this chapter. The board may establish requirements to ensure
that a mixed martial arts, Muay Thai, kickboxing or boxing competition, exhibition or event
is not conducted unless a promoter's fee has been paid and that each competitor has been
examined by a physician who has certified the competitor's fitness to participate in the
mixed martial arts, Muay Thai, kickboxing or boxing competition, exhibition or event.
Rules adopted pursuant to this subsection are routine technical rules, as defined in Title 5,
chapter 375, subchapter 2‑A. Notwithstanding this subsection, rules establishing fees,
including promotion fees pursuant to section 524, are major substantive rules as defined in
Title 5, chapter 375, subchapter 2‑A. The authority's rules must include, but are not limited
to, the following:
A. Rules of competition, weighing of participants and scoring of decisions;
B. Length of contests and rounds;
C. Availability of medical services, including a requirement that a physician be present
during a mixed martial arts, Muay Thai, kickboxing or boxing competition, exhibition
or event;
D. Age limits, which must include a minimum age of not less than 18 years;
E. Weight limits and classification of participants;
F. Physical condition of participants;
G. Qualifications of referees and other authorized participants;
H. Uniforms, attire, safety gear and equipment of authorized participants; Page 3 - 131LR0834(03)
I. Specifications of facilities and equipment; and
J. Requirements for health and accident insurance providing coverage in the event of
injury or death to authorized participants. This coverage must comply with standards
prescribed by the Superintendent of Insurance.
Sec. 8. 8 MRSA §524, as amended by PL 2011, c. 305, §6, is further amended to
read:
§524. Promotion fees
In addition to the requirements set by rule pursuant to section 523, a promoter of a
mixed martial arts, Muay Thai, kickboxing or boxing competition, exhibition or event
authorized under this chapter must pay a fee set by the authority in advance of the mixed
martial arts, Muay Thai, kickboxing or boxing competition, exhibition or event. A
promoter who fails to pay the fee required pursuant to this section is prohibited from
promoting the competition as well as any further competitions, exhibitions or events held
under this chapter until the fee and any penalties are paid in full or satisfactory
arrangements are made with the authority.
Sec. 9. 8 MRSA §526, as amended by PL 2011, c. 305, §8, is further amended to
read:
§526. Prohibited interests of officers, directors and employees
A director of the authority or a spouse, domestic partner or dependent child of a director
of the authority may not receive any direct personal benefit from the activities or
undertakings of the authority. This section does not prohibit corporations or other entities
with which a director is associated by reason of ownership or employment from
participating in mixed martial arts, Muay Thai, kickboxing or boxing activities if ownership
or employment is made known to the authority and the director abstains from voting on
matters relating to that participation. A director of the authority must comply with the
requirements of Title 5, section 18.
Sec. 10. 8 MRSA §529, as amended by PL 2011, c. 305, §9, is further amended to
read:
§529. Powers of board
1. Inspections and investigations.
where a mixed martial arts, Muay Thai, kickboxing or boxing competition, exhibition or
event is to be conducted and question persons present and review documents to the extent
it considers necessary to determine whether the event is in accordance with this chapter and
rules adopted under this chapter.
2. Other action.
martial arts, Muay Thai, kickboxing or boxing competition, exhibition or event is
conducted in accordance with this chapter and rules adopted under this chapter and take all
other lawful action necessary and incidental to its purposes.
Sec. 11. 8 MRSA §532, as amended by PL 2011, c. 305, §10, is further amended to
read:
§532. Fines; enforcement Page 4 - 131LR0834(03)
The board may, after a hearing under Title 5, chapter 375, subchapter 4, impose a fine
of not more than $500 for each violation against a person who violates this chapter or rules
adopted pursuant to this chapter or who participates in a mixed martial arts, Muay Thai,
kickboxing or boxing competition, exhibition or event without the certificate described
under section 523, subsection 1. The Attorney General may bring an action in Superior
Court to enjoin a mixed martial arts, Muay Thai, kickboxing or boxing competition,
exhibition or event from occurring for which the promoter's fee has not been paid or a
participant who does not meet the qualifications of this chapter from participating in the
competition, exhibition or event.
Sec. 12. 17-A MRSA §515, sub-§2-A, as amended by PL 2011, c. 305, §12, is
further amended to read:
2-A.
boxing competition, exhibition or event authorized pursuant to Title 8, chapter 20 as long
as rules have been adopted by the Combat Sports Authority of Maine pursuant to Title 8,
chapter 20.