NY State Senate Bill 2015-S7673

Senate Bill S7673

2015-2016 Legislative Session

Requires the commissioner of health to conduct a health study to determine the dangers of mixed martial arts

download bill text pdf

Archive: Last Bill Status - In Senate Committee Health Committee

Introduced
- In Committee Assembly
- In Committee Senate
- On Floor Calendar Assembly
- On Floor Calendar Senate
- Passed Assembly
- Passed Senate
Delivered to Governor
Signed By Governor

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	Assembly Actions - Lowercase Senate Actions - UPPERCASE
May 12, 2016	referred to health

2015-S7673 (ACTIVE) - Details

See Assembly Version of this Bill:: A1529
Current Committee:: Senate Health
Law Section:: Public Health
Versions Introduced in Other Legislative Sessions:: 2013-2014: A7055
2017-2018: S6384

2015-S7673 (ACTIVE) - Summary

Requires the commissioner of health to conduct a comprehensive health study to determine the dangers of mixed martial arts.

2015-S7673 (ACTIVE) - Sponsor Memo

                                 BILL NUMBER:  S7673

 TITLE OF BILL :  An act to require the commissioner of health to
conduct a comprehensive health study to determine the dangers of mixed
martial arts

 PURPOSE OR GENERAL IDEA OF BILL :

To identify the most salient medical issues that may be associated
with the practice of mixed martial arts.

 SUMMARY OF SPECIFIC PROVISIONS :

Section 1 authorizes the Commissioner of the Department of Health to
conduct a comprehensive health study to determine the dangers to
participants of engaging in mixed martial arts competition events.

Section 2 enacts the effective date.

 JUSTIFICATION :

Recent revelations about long-term health impacts for participants in
professional sports such as football have only highlighted the
necessity for the State of New York to have adequate information
detailing the health impacts of so-called "mixed martial arts" (MMA)
fighting.

Before permitting these professional fighting events in our state,
both the mental and physical impacts for participants and the public
deserve a thorough assessment. In addition to the various acute
traumatic injuries combatants can suffer, evidence indicates
longer-term injuries or illness can be more likely for those exposed
to repeated blows in mixed martial bouts, even when the lion's share
of hits falls short of inducing a full concussion.

Repeated blows to the head, choke-holds, submission holds, fractured
bones, damaged cartilage, and other severe injuries are major causes
of concern for the state, which could bear financial burdens for
future medical treatment. Competitive MMA is a relatively new and
growing sport, whose underlying health risks and long-term problems
are not yet fully known.

At the same time, there may be adverse public safety and mental health
consequences for society as a whole, and particularly children, if we
legalize this sport without first adequately accounting for the risks.

Due to the violent nature of mixed martial arts and the surprisingly
high incidence of unchallenged sexism and misogyny displayed by
certain fighters, commentators, and other public figures associated
with this sport, the prospect of legalization in New York State raises
legitimate concerns about the increased exposure of our children to
this new and potentially very negative influence.

 FISCAL IMPLICATIONS :

Minimal for the Department of Health.

 EFFECTIVE DATE :
This act shall take effect immediately.

2015-S7673 (ACTIVE) - Bill Text download pdf

                            
                    S T A T E   O F   N E W   Y O R K
________________________________________________________________________

                                  7673

                            I N  S E N A T E

                              May 12, 2016
                               ___________

Introduced  by  Sen. KRUEGER -- read twice and ordered printed, and when
  printed to be committed to the Committee on Health

AN ACT to require the commissioner of health to conduct a  comprehensive
  health study to determine the dangers of mixed martial arts

  THE  PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, REPRESENTED IN SENATE AND ASSEM-
BLY, DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:

  Section 1.  The commissioner of health is authorized and  directed  to
conduct a comprehensive health study to determine the dangers to partic-
ipants  of engaging in mixed martial arts competition events. Such study
shall be completed within eighteen months of the effective date of  this
act.
  S 2. This act shall take effect immediately.








 EXPLANATION--Matter in ITALICS (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
                      [ ] is old law to be omitted.
                                                           LBD02593-04-6

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