§ 4-315. Boxing, kick boxing, or mixed martial arts contests

   (a) Contestant to be physically fit; blood tests. -- A contestant shall be allowed to enter the ring only if:

   (1) a physician approved by the Commission declares the contestant to be physically fit; and

   (2) the contestant has complied with § 4-304.1 of this subtitle.

(b) Urine or blood test required. --

   (1) Each contestant in a contest shall submit to:

      (i) a chemical test of the urine or blood of the contestant to detect the presence of a controlled dangerous substance defined in § 5-101 of the Criminal Law Article or other substance that the Commission prohibits by regulation; and

      (ii) subject to paragraph (2) of this subsection, a test of the blood or urine of the contestant to detect the presence of performance enhancing drugs, including:

         1. human growth hormones; and

         2. anabolic steroids.

   (2) A contestant shall be required to submit to a blood or urine test under paragraph (1)(ii) of this subsection if:

      (i) there is reasonable cause to believe the contestant has used a substance prohibited by regulation;

      (ii) the contestant was randomly selected by lottery; or

      (iii) the contestant has a documented or otherwise verified history of drug use within the 5 years immediately preceding the date of the contest.

(c) Number of rounds. -- The Commission shall set the length in rounds of each contest.

(d) Safety regulations. --

   (1) The Commission shall adopt regulations to ensure the safety of individuals who participate in amateur or professional mixed martial arts contests.

   (2) In developing the regulations, the Commission shall consider:

      (i) appropriate limits on acceptable maneuvers;

      (ii) time limits for contest rounds; and

      (iii) rules for termination of a contest.

HISTORY: An. Code 1957, art. 56, § 122, 126; 1992, ch. 4, § 2; 1993, ch. 148; 1996, ch. 551; 2002, ch. 213, § 6; 2008, chs. 607, 608; 2013, ch. 101.