Administration of the fund

529 CMR: BOXERS' FUND BOARD

529 CMR 2.00: ADMINISTRATION OF THE FUND

Section

2.01: Scope and Applicability 2.02: Definitions 2.03: Standards of Eligibility 2.04: General Provisions and Application Requirements 2.05: Hearings 2.06: Decisions 2.07: Appeals 2.08: Disbursement of Funds and Amount of Assistance 2.09: Privacy 2.10: Variances

2.01: Scope and Applicability

In accordance with M.G.L. c. 6, § 99 and M.G.L. c. 147, § 40A, the Boxers’ Fund Board is charged with the disbursement of funds from the Boxers’ Fund. The Boxers’ Fund shall be administered for the use and benefit of either former or current professional fighters, either for funeral expenses or for those in need of financial assistance due to injury suffered while participating in a professional unarmed combat event.

2.02: Definitions

As used in 529 CMR, unless the context otherwise requires, the words and terms shall have the following meanings:

Board shall mean the Boxers' Fund Board established under M.G.L. c. 6, § 99.

Commission shall mean the Massachusetts State Athletic Commission as established under M.G.L. c. 22, § 12.

Event shall mean unarmed combat activity sanctioned by the Commission.

Fund shall mean the Boxers' Fund established under M.G.L. c. 147, § 40A.

Injury shall mean any physical, psychological, or neurological damage suffered as a result of participating in an unarmed combat event.

Unarmed Combat shall mean any sport regulated by the Commission in accordance with M.G.L. c. 47, § 32.

2.03: Standards of Eligibility

In order to be eligible for benefits from the Fund, an applicant must demonstrate the following: (a) that they have competed in an event within the Commonwealth, under a license issued by the Commission, in accordance with M.G.L. c. 147, § 35; and, (b) that they have been a resident of the Commonwealth for at least three years prior to

(MA REG. #1276, Dated 12-19-14)

529 CMR: BOXERS' FUND BOARD

making application for assistance from the Fund; and, (c) that they have sustained injury (or in the case application is made for assistance with funeral expenses, that the subject individual is deceased); and, (d) that they have suffered financial hardship due to the injury identified in 529 CMR 2.03(c). (e) that they have not been awarded monies from the Fund within the previous six months.

529 CMR: BOXERS' FUND BOARD

2.04: General Provisions and Application Requirements

(1) Applications for assistance from the Fund shall be made on forms provided by the Board. (2) In addition to demonstrating the eligibility requirements listed in .03, applicants must provide: (a) Fighter’s license number issued by the Commission; (b) Social Security Number; (c) A government issued identification bearing the applicant's photograph.

(3) Applications must include written documentation demonstrating that the applicant has either suffered injury (e.g.- medical records or letter from licensed treating physician), or that application is being made on behalf of a deceased individual for payment of funeral expenses.

(4) Applications must include written documentation demonstrating the applicant’s financial hardship. Financial hardship may be demonstrated by submitting such documentation as bank statements, bills, letters, medical records, and tax returns, as well as by oral testimony of the applicant or witnesses.

(5) No funds will be disbursed directly to an applicant unless the applicant can provide satisfactory proof that reimbursement is appropriate. Reimbursement is appropriate only when an applicant has made payments for which the Board would have authorized assistance and the payment of those bills has caused financial hardship. Otherwise, all monies awarded shall be paid by the Board on behalf of the applicant towards the payment of outstanding balances, anticipated utility bills, application fees, tuition payments, rent/mortgage payments, loan payments, funeral expenses, and other similar obligations. Luxury expenses will not be considered. Applications must include written documentation identifying where the applicant would like any awarded monies to be disbursed. All disbursements will be made at the direction of the Board.

(6) Before making any disbursements the Board may, when deemed appropriate, require an applicant to provide proof of their identity in addition to that required under .04(b).

(7) Applicants must provide any requested documentation and cooperate in any investigation deemed necessary by the Board in conjunction of its review of a submitted application. Failure to cooperate with the Board shall be grounds for denial of an application.

(8) An application may be denied by the Board for failure of the applicant to produce satisfactory proof of all eligibility requirements or to provide all information required in accordance with .03 and 2.04.

(9) An applicant's event history will be confirmed by any means the Board deems reasonable and may depend on the sources available.

2.05: Hearings

All applicants shall appear in person before the Board to review their application unless satisfactory cause is provided otherwise.

2.06: Decisions

529 CMR: BOXERS' FUND BOARD

The Board shall issue a written decision relative to any action taken on a submitted application. Decisions shall be issued in a reasonably prompt manner.

2.07: Appeals

Any final decision by the Board on an application may be appealed to Superior Court in accordance with M.G.L. c. 30A, § 14.

529 CMR: BOXERS' FUND BOARD

2.08: Disbursement of Funds and Amount of Assistance

(1) Financial assistance to an individual applicant shall not exceed 5% of the total amount of the Fund at the time the Board reviews the application.

(2) Upon approval of any award, the Board shall make a written request to the Chief Financial Officer of the Department of Public Safety to disburse funds consistent with the vote of the Board.

(3) The granting of benefits from the Fund shall be in the reasonable discretion of the Board.

2.09: Privacy

All information provided by an applicant in an application for assistance and/or at a hearing before the Board shall be subject to the provisions of Massachusetts public record and open meeting laws, M.G.L. c. 30A, §§ 18 through 25, and M.G.L. c. 66.

2.10: Variances

The Board may, at its discretion, grant a variance from any provision of 529 CMR for any cause it determines sufficient.

REGULATORY AUTHORITY

.00: M.G.L. c. 6, § 99.

529 CMR: BOXERS' FUND BOARD

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