In 2013 Connecticut became one of the last States to legalize mixed martial arts but in doing so passed legislation that required promoters to “be liable for any health care costs incurred by such competitor for the diagnosis, care and treatment of any injury, illness, disease or condition resulting from or caused by such competitor’s participation in such match for the duration of such injury, illness, disease or condition“.
This open ended liability was a death sentence for the sport as no promoter dared to risk such exposure.
This week, as reported by Daniela Altimari of the Hartford Courant, the Connecticut Senate passed Bill 6299 which overhauls this requirement and instead requires promoters to provide insurance for competitors. This requirement is in line with many other jurisdictions making it more likely for promoters willing to come to the Constitution State.
The proposed legal overhaul now goes to Gov. Dannel P. Malloy and will come in to force on October 1 if signed.
The law, if passed will repeal the above requirement and replace it with the following:
(a) Any person, firm or corporation that employs, or contracts with, a person to be a boxer in a boxing match or competitor in a mixed martial arts match conducted pursuant to this chapter shall provide health insurance coverage and a death benefit on behalf of such boxer or competitor with respect to each match produced by such person, firm or corporation.
(b) Such health insurance coverage shall provide at least twenty thousand dollars of benefits for medical, dental, surgical and hospital expenses resulting from or caused by such boxer’s or competitor’s participation in such match. Such death benefit shall provide at least fifty thousand dollars to the estate of the boxer or competitor for the death of the boxer or competitor resulting from or caused by such boxer’s or competitor’s participation in such match.
Combat Sports Law 