Added by Stats. 2023, Ch. 466, Sec. 1. (AB 1136) Effective January 1, 2024.
The Legislature finds and declares all of the following:
(a)Many Californians find a need, purpose, and great benefit in participating in combat sports.
(b)That professional athletes licensed under this chapter, as a group, for many reasons, do not retain their earnings, and are often injured or destitute, or both, and unable to take proper care of themselves, whether financially or otherwise, and that the enactment of this article is to serve a public purpose by making provisions for a needy group to insure a modicum of financial security for professional athletes.
(c)Athletes licensed under this chapter may suffer extraordinary
disabilities in the normal course of their trade. These may include acute and chronic traumatic brain injuries, resulting from multiple concussions as well as from repeated exposure to a large number of subconcussive punches and kicks, eye injuries, including retinal tears, holes, and detachments, and other neurological impairments.
(d)The retirement benefit plan of the commission is part of the state’s health and safety regulatory scheme, designed to protect professional athletes, including mixed martial artists, licensed under this chapter from the health-related hazards of their trade. The retirement benefit plan addresses those health and safety needs, recognizing the disability and health maintenance expenses those needs may require.
(e)The regulatory system of California is interrelated with the conduct of the trade in every jurisdiction. Athletes licensed under this
chapter participate in contests in other states and many athletes who are based in those other jurisdictions may participate in California on a single-event basis.
(f)The outcomes and natures of fights in other jurisdictions are relevant to California regulatory jurisdiction and are routinely monitored for health and safety reasons, so that, for example, a knockout of an athlete licensed under this chapter in another jurisdiction is paid appropriate heed with respect to establishing a waiting period before that athlete may commence fighting in California.
(g)The monitoring of other jurisdictions is an integral part of the health and safety of California athletes licensed under this chapter due to the interstate nature of the trade, and therefore the regulatory scheme for contests and athletes under this chapter should reflect this
accordingly.