(1) In the interest of ensuring the safety and welfare of the participants, the department shall have power and it shall be its duty to direct, supervise, and control all boxing, martial arts, and wrestling events conducted within this state and an event may not be held in this state except in accordance with the provisions of this chapter. The department may, in its discretion, issue and for cause, which includes concern for the safety and welfare of the participants, take any of the actions specified in RCW 18.235.110 against a license to promote, conduct, or hold boxing, kickboxing, martial arts, or wrestling events where an admission fee is charged by any person, club, corporation, organization, association, or fraternal society.

     (2) All boxing, kickboxing, martial arts, or wrestling events that:

     (a) Are conducted by any common school, college, or university, whether public or private, or by the official student association thereof, whether on or off the school, college, or university grounds, where all the participating contestants are bona fide students enrolled in any common school, college, or university, within or without this state; or

     (b) Are entirely amateur events as defined in RCW 67.08.002(18) and promoted on a nonprofit basis or for charitable purposes;

are not subject to the licensing provisions of this chapter. A boxing, martial arts, kickboxing, or wrestling event may not be conducted within the state except under a license issued in accordance with this chapter and the rules of the department except as provided in this section.

     (3) The director shall prohibit events unless all of the contestants are licensed or otherwise exempt from licensure as provided under this chapter.

     (4) No amateur or professional no holds barred fighting or combative fighting type of contest, exhibition, match, or similar type of event, nor any elimination tournament, may be held in this state. Any person promoting such an event is guilty of a class C felony. Additionally, the director may apply to a superior court for an injunction against any and all promoters of a contest, and may request that the court seize all money and assets relating to the competition.

[2004 c 149 § 2; 2002 c 86 § 306; 2000 c 151 § 2; 1999 c 282 § 3; 1997 c 205 § 3; 1993 c 278 § 12; 1989 c 127 § 14; 1977 c 9 § 2. Prior: 1975-'76 2nd ex.s. c 48 § 3; 1975 c 1 § 1; 1973 c 53 § 1; 1951 c 48 § 2.]

NOTES:

     Effective date -- 2004 c 149: See note following RCW 67.08.002.

     Effective dates -- 2002 c 86: See note following RCW 18.08.340.

     Part headings not law -- Severability -- 2002 c 86: See RCW 18.235.902 and 18.235.903.