§ 18888.5

(a) After the participating martial artist has vested in the MMA Fund, the participating martial artist shall not be entitled to distribution of the funds held in the participating martial artist’s regular account until the participating martial artist is at least 50 years of age.

(b) (1) Notwithstanding subdivision (a), the commission may, in its discretion, award to a participating martial artist, who has vested in the MMA Fund but is younger than 50 years old, an early retirement benefit for vocational, education, training, or medical need in the amount contained in the participating martial artist’s regular account at the time the commission makes this award and in the manner provided in the regulations governing the MMA Fund.

(2) Upon distribution of the early retirement benefit authorized by paragraph (1) to the participating martial artist, the participating martial artist’s regular account shall be closed, and the participating martial artist shall not receive, or otherwise be eligible for, any further contributions to the regular account or retirement benefits from the MMA Fund.

(3) Notwithstanding any other law, information submitted by or to a participating martial artist pursuant to this subdivision shall be confidential and not subject to public disclosure unless any of the following applies:

(A) The martial artist, in writing, waives the confidentiality of information submitted to the commission.

(B) The information is disclosed pursuant to a lawfully issued subpoena.

(C) The information is disclosed pursuant to a written request from a government agency responsible for the enforcement of civil or criminal laws or the professional licensing of individuals that is conducting an investigation about the person who submitted the information to the commission.

(Added by Stats. 2023, Ch. 466, Sec. 1. (AB 1136) Effective January 1, 2024.)