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State athletic commission, department seek longer blood‑test window for combat sports
Summary
The Department of Labor and the Maryland State Athletic Commission supported HB 236 to extend required negative blood tests for HIV and hepatitis from 30 to 90 days, saying the change aligns Maryland with other states, reduces administrative burdens and has not produced safety incidents where used.
John Dove of the Maryland Department of Labor and Dave Norman, chairman of the Maryland State Athletic Commission, urged the Economic Matters Committee to approve HB 236 to extend the required negative blood‑test window for combat sports contestants from 30 days to 90 days.
Norman said commission medical advisers and the Association of Ringside Physicians support the change and that neighboring states accept longer windows, which helps fighters and promoters who compete in multiple jurisdictions. He also described operational problems under the 30‑day rule when substitutes must produce tests and results do not arrive in time for an event.
"We had situations where the substitute... has to get a blood test, and the blood test is actually not reported back in time for a Saturday night fight, and the fight has to be called off," Norman testified. He said the commission’s physician concluded a 90‑day window presented no undue risk and that some states allow 180‑day or year‑long windows.
Committee members pressed on public‑health concerns, but the commission noted that contestants undergo a medical exam the day before events and that there is no recorded transmission incident in jurisdictions using 90‑day or longer windows. The committee concluded the hearing without a recorded vote.
