5:2A-2. Findings, declarations

2. The Legislature finds and declares to be the public policy of this State that it is in the best interest of the public and of boxing, wrestling, extreme wrestling, kick boxing and combative sports that boxing, wrestling, extreme wrestling, kick boxing and combative sports exhibitions, events, performances and contests should be subject to an effective and efficient system of strict control and regulation in order to:

a. Protect the safety and well-being of participants in boxing, wrestling, extreme wrestling, kick boxing and combative sports exhibitions, events, performances and contests; and

b. Promote the public confidence and trust in the regulatory process and the conduct of boxing, wrestling, extreme wrestling, kick boxing and combative sports exhibitions, events, performances and contests.

To further such public confidence and trust, the regulatory provisions of this act are designed to extend strict State regulation to all persons, practices and associations related to the operation of any boxing, wrestling, extreme wrestling, kick boxing or combative sports exhibition, event, performance or contest held in this State.

The Legislature further finds and declares that, because its principal purpose is to entertain without injuring or disabling one of the participants, professional wrestling should be excluded from this system of regulation and control.

The Legislature further finds and declares that, because its principal purpose is to entertain by having its participants intentionally cause bleeding, or perform acts which reasonably could be expected to cause bleeding, extreme wrestling should be distinguished from professional wrestling. The emphasis on dangerous stunts that cause injury and bleeding makes extreme wrestling potentially harmful to its participants. Furthermore, the atmosphere of base violence and depravity that prevails at an extreme wrestling event has a deleterious effect on children and young adults. Moreover, the liberal bloodletting that characterizes many extreme wrestling events constitutes a public health hazard not only for the participants, but also the spectators. For all of these reasons, extreme wrestling should be subject to strict State regulation.

Because the creativity of those who seek to profit from vulgarity cannot be underestimated, the State Athletic Control Board should be given a proper amount of latitude to regulate the attendant excesses of extreme wrestling that presently exist and that could be incorporated into extreme wrestling events in the future.

L.1985,c.83,s.2; amended 1997, c.36, s.2; 2000, c.124, s.2.