5:2A-8. Medical advisory council

a. A State Athletic Control Board Medical Advisory Council is created to assist the board. It shall consist of seven members to be appointed by the Governor. Of the members first appointed by the Governor, three shall be appointed for terms of one year, three for terms of two years, and one member for a term of three years, from the effective date of this section. The Governor shall designate one member as chairman of the council. The term of a member thereafter appointed, except to fill a vacancy, shall be three years from the expiration of the term of his predecessor. Upon the appointment of a successor to the chairman of the council, the Governor shall designate the successor or other member of the council as chairman. A vacancy occurring otherwise than by expiration of term shall be filled by appointment by the Governor for the remainder only of the term. Each member of the council shall be duly licensed to practice dentistry, medicine or osteopathy in the State of New Jersey and, at the time of appointment, shall have had at least five years' experience in the practice of his profession. Consideration shall be given to the appointment of members from the fields of dentistry, cardiology, neurology, ophthalmology and orthopedics. The members of the council shall receive such compensation and shall be reimbursed for actual expenses as may be established for professional boards and commissions pursuant to section 2 of P.L. 1977, c. 285 (C. 45:1-2.5). The members of the council shall not be eligible for membership in any State administered retirement system.

b. The council shall recommend for board approval regulations, rules and standards for the physical and mental examination of all participants, including, without limitation, pre-fight and post-fight examinations, periodic comprehensive examinations and an extensive medical examination prior to licensure and the renewal of any license to be granted by the board. The council shall serve in an advisory capacity to the board and from time to time prepare and submit to the board for its approval, such additional regulations, rules and standards of examination as in its judgment will safeguard the physical welfare of all participants licensed by the board. The council shall from time to time designate such qualified physicians for the purposes of conducting physical examinations and other services as the rules of the board shall provide, and shall recommend to the board a schedule of fees to be paid to physicians for examinations and other services required by this act.

c. The council shall develop appropriate medical education programs for all board personnel involved in the conduct of exhibitions, events, performances or contests, so that the personnel can recognize and act upon evidence of potential or actual adverse medical indications in a participant.

d. The council shall review the credentials and performance of each physician designated pursuant to subsection b. of this section on an annual basis as a condition of reappointment of each such physician, including the physician's comprehension of the medical literature referred to in subsection e. of this section.

e. The council shall recommend to the board a compilation of medical publications which shall be maintained by the board and be made available for review to all board personnel involved in the conduct of any exhibition, event, performance or contest.

f. The council shall also advise the board with respect to any study of equipment, procedures or personnel which will, in its opinion, promote the safety of participants.

P.L. 1985, c. 83, s. 8; amended by P.L. 1988, c. 20, s. 1.