TITLE 28

Sports and Amusements

CHAPTER 1. Combative Sports and Combative Sports Entertainment

Subchapter III. Licensing, Registration, and Permits

§ 105. Combative sports license.

(a) No person shall participate in a professional combative sports event unless licensed by the Division or the Division’s designated agent and the following conditions exist:

(1) Where the promoter presents proof of insurance sufficient to provide medical care of the nature and quality recognized as falling within the standard of medical care in the State by the medical community of the State; and

(2) Where a physician, licensed to practice medicine by the Delaware Board of Medical Licensure and Discipline, is in attendance under the authority of the Division or its designated agent; and

(3) Where the promoter, contestant, referee, timekeeper, seconds and judges shall be licensed by the Division or its designated agent; and

(4) Where the event is held in accordance with the sanctioning organization’s rules, bylaws, guidelines or other such conditions.

(5) Where all license fees have been paid to license the event, in an amount established by the Director or the Division’s designee.

(6) No contestant shall be licensed to participate in a combative sports event unless certified as physically and mentally fit by a medical doctor licensed by the State for professional combative sports events. The medical examination of the contestant shall take place no sooner than 5 days prior to the combative sports event. The costs of the examination shall be paid by the promoter and not deducted from or charged against the purse or other monetary or financial compensation awarded to the contestant. Medical certification of all contestants shall be presented to the Division prior to the combative sports event. The criteria for physical and mental fitness shall be established by rule.

(7) All contestants who suffer loss of consciousness or who have been injured seriously as a result of blows received to the head or body shall be supervised for a period not to exceed 120 days by a licensed medical doctor. The determination of loss of consciousness or of serious injury shall be made only by a medical doctor licensed by the State and approved by the Director, or the Director’s designee, for attendance at the event. The Secretary, or the Secretary’s designee, shall suspend the license to engage in combative sports of any contestant who shall have suffered loss of consciousness or serious injury as a result of blows received to the head or body for a period of no less than 60 days. Such suspension shall remain effective unless and until such contestant shall present to the Secretary, or the Secretary’s designee, a certificate of medical clearance on a form approved by the Director and signed by a medical doctor licensed in the State certifying that the contestant is physically and mentally fit to engage in combative sports.

(b) No person shall participate in an amateur combative sports event unless that event is permitted by the Division and the following conditions exist:

(1) Where such combative sports event is sanctioned by an amateur sanctioning organization recognized by the Director; and

(2) Where such amateur combative sports event is permitted by the Division;

(3) Where the event is held in accordance with the Division’s rules, bylaws and guidelines or other such conditions;

(4) Where a fee has been paid to permit the event, in an amount established by the Director.

(5) No contestant shall be licensed to participate in a combative sports event unless certified as physically and mentally fit by a medical doctor licensed by the State for amateur combative sports events. The medical examination of the contestant shall take place no sooner than 5 days prior to the combative sports event. The costs of the examination shall be paid by the promoter and not deducted from or charged against the purse or other monetary or financial compensation awarded to the contestant. Medical certification of all contestants shall be presented to the Division prior to the combative sports event. The criteria for physical and mental fitness shall be established by rule.

(6) All contestants who suffer loss of consciousness or who have been injured seriously as a result of blows received to the head or body shall be supervised for a period not to exceed 120 days by a licensed medical doctor. The determination of loss of consciousness or of serious injury shall be made only by a medical doctor licensed by the State and approved by the Director, or the Director’s designee, for attendance at the event. The Secretary, or the Secretary’s designee, shall suspend the license to engage in combative sports of any contestant who shall have suffered loss of consciousness or serious injury as a result of blows received to the head or body for a period of no less than 60 days. Such suspension shall remain effective unless and until such contestant shall present to the Secretary, or the Secretary’s designee, a certificate of medical clearance on a form approved by the Director and signed by a medical doctor licensed in the State certifying that the contestant is physically and mentally fit to engage in combative sports.

76 Del. Laws, c. 413, §  270 Del. Laws, c. 186, §  177 Del. Laws, c. 319, §  177 Del. Laws, c. 438, §§  21-34

§ 106. Combative sports entertainment permit.

(a) No person may advertise, hold, conduct, or exhibit any combative sports entertainment event unless the person first obtains from the Division a permit to advertise, hold, conduct, or exhibit the specific combative sports entertainment event. A permit is only valid for the single occasion for which it is issued. All forms of advertising shall prominently display the permit number issued for the event. If the advertisement is in other than a written format the permit number shall be verbally announced within the advertisement.

(b) Submit a permit application and pay a fee as determined by the Director.

76 Del. Laws, c. 413, §  277 Del. Laws, c. 438, §§  35-37

§ 106A. Combative sports entertainment requirements.

(a) No person shall hold, conduct, or exhibit any combative sports entertainment event unless such person:

(1) Provides for emergency equipment and personnel to be present at the permitted event. Minimum emergency equipment and personnel shall consist of an ambulance and 2 EMTs who shall be present and on site at all times during the event; and

(2) Provides for adequate security personnel to maintain order and provide safety during and after the event.

(b) If the services of any fire company, police agency, paramedic, and/or emergency medical services provider are used for any participant of a combative sport entertainment event then the promoter of such event shall be responsible for and shall pay the costs of the services provided by the fire company, police agency, paramedic, and/or emergency medical services provider.

77 Del. Laws, c. 438, §  38