LAS VEGAS, Dec. 14, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Stephen J.
Cloobeck, Chairman of the Nevada Athletic Commission ("NAC" or "the
Commission"), today announced the emergency regulation titled
"Nathan's Law" was signed by Gov. Steve
Sisolak following unanimous passage by the NAC. The law,
prompted by the death of 20-year-old UNLV student Nathan
Valencia, expands the Commission's regulatory oversight to
amateur contests or unarmed combat to clarify which events fall
outside the NAC's jurisdiction.
The Commission immediately implemented the policy following the
Governor's signature.
"It is incumbent upon us to honor Mr. Valencia's memory by
protecting Nevada's college
students from similar events in the future," said Chairman
Cloobeck, who hand delivered the regulation to Gov. Sisolak for his
signature. "Fighter safety is my top priority as Chair of the
Nevada Athletic Commission, and it's OUR top priority as a
Commission."
The emergency regulation specifically addresses a rule in the
Nevada Revised Statutes governing unarmed combat, NRS 467.170, that
previously exempted any school, college or university, or by any
association or organization of a school, college or university,
when each participant in the contests or exhibitions is a bona fide
student in the school, college or university, from oversight by the
Commission.
As noted in the statement accompanying the Emergency Regulation
passed by the Commission and signed by the Governor and Executive
Director of the NAC, "Broadly read without regulatory guidance, NRS
467.170 could be interpreted in a manner that allows a school,
college, or university organization to conduct an unarmed combat
event while entirely evading oversight and regulation from any
school officials or unarmed combat sanctioning bodies."
The statement continued: "The emergency regulations submitted
here will promote the safety of student or unarmed combatants by
ensuring that unarmed combat events that fall outside the
jurisdiction of the Nevada Athletic Commission are supervised and
regulated by school, college, or university administrators, or by a
recognized collegiate sanctioning body with expertise in unarmed
combat and unarmed combat safety."
Nathan's Law establishes procedures for unarmed combat event
organizers claiming an exemption from the Commission's oversight
under NRS 467.170. The emergency regulations give the
Commission the authority to verify the organizer's eligibility for
the exemption, and clearly identifies the supervising authority if
the event falls outside the Commission's jurisdiction. These
new rules will ensure necessary health and safety measures and
protocols are implemented, and that the contest or exhibition is
conducted in a manner that protects the health and safety of all
participants.
"While we must work within our statutory framework, the
regulation here today will close some holes in the system that
allow fraternities and similar organizations to evade oversight and
regulation," said Chairman Cloobeck, who thanked the Governor's
office and the Attorney General's office for moving quickly to
adopt and implement the new rules before any other individuals are
harmed.
About the Nevada Athletic Commission:
In 1941, the Nevada Athletic Commission was established by an
act of the Nevada
legislature. Since that time, the Commission has regulated
professional unarmed combat (e.g., boxing, kickboxing and mixed
martial arts/ MMA) in Nevada. The conduct and regulation of
unarmed combat in Nevada are
governed by NRS Chapter 467, and are further clarified by the
Regulations of the Commission (Chapter 467 of the Nevada
Administrative Code). The Commission administers the State
laws and regulations governing unarmed combat for the protection of
the public and to ensure the health and safety of the contestants.
For more information about the Nevada Athletic Commission, visit
http://boxing.nv.gov/.
Related Links
https://boxing.nv.gov/
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SOURCE Nevada Athletic Commission