Currently, a licensed physician is needed at all professional wrestling exhibitions and contests in the Commonwealth. The Wrestling Act (Chapter 19 and 21 of Title 5) requires that a physician examine the physical condition of the participants and must be prepared to terminate the match if necessary to prevent serious injury.
Promoters and facility operators, who are solely responsible for securing and paying the cost of the physician’s services, have raised concerns that the number of physicians willing or able to provide these services has considerably decreased in recent years which presents new challenges to the industry.
To address this issue impacting promoters across the Commonwealth, I plan on introducing legislation that would permit promoters and facility operators to employ certified registered nurse practitioners during professional wrestling exhibitions and contests.
A certified registered nurse practitioner has sufficient medical training to assess participants, offer a competent medical evaluation and satisfy the requirements of the current law. This legislation would provide a simple and practical solution while still protecting public health and safety.
A companion bill is being introduced in the Senate by Senator Judy Schwank.
 
Please join me in co-sponsoring this necessary piece of legislation.