SB842

Regular Session

Relating to immunity for ringside physicians assigned to combative sports events.

LowStandard timeline

Low Cost

Effective:2025-09-01

Enforcing Agencies

Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR)

Compliance Analysis

Key implementation requirements and action items for compliance with this legislation

Implementation Timeline

Effective Date: September 1, 2025.
Compliance Deadline: Immediate. Any event contract currently being negotiated for dates on or after September 1, 2025, must reflect these changes.
Agency Rulemaking: While no specific rulemaking is mandated, the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR) may issue guidance on the formal "assignment" process to ensure physicians qualify for this immunity.

Immediate Action Plan

1. Audit Insurance Policies: Contact your broker immediately to review General Liability limits. Ensure your policy does not have exclusions that rely on the physician's malpractice coverage.
2. Revise Physician Contracts: specific "Scope of Responsibilities" exhibits to all physician agreements for events scheduled after September 1, 2025.
3. Update Waivers: Insert the specific citation of SB842 (Sec. 2052.255, Occupations Code) into all participant liability waivers.
4. Prepare for "Rush to File": Be aware that for injuries occurring in Summer 2025, plaintiffs may rush to file lawsuits *before* September 1, 2025, to avoid the immunity statute.

Operational Changes Required

Contracts

Master Services Agreements (MSAs): You must revise agreements with physicians. While they are immune from standard negligence, you must retain indemnification clauses for gross negligence, which remains their liability.
Participant Waivers: Update fighter/participant liability waivers to explicitly acknowledge the statutory immunity granted under Section 2052.255, Texas Occupations Code. This strengthens the enforceability of the waiver against the promoter.
Venue Agreements: Venues may demand higher General Liability limits from promoters, as the physician's malpractice carrier will no longer contribute to settlements for standard negligence claims.

Hiring/Training

Formal Assignment Verification: Immunity is contingent on the physician being "assigned" to the event. You must cease any informal or "handshake" volunteer arrangements. Ensure all physicians are processed through formal TDLR assignment protocols.
Scope Briefings: Conduct pre-event briefings to clearly delineate the physician's "scope of responsibilities." Acts performed outside this scope (e.g., treating a VIP guest or staff member) are not covered by the immunity.

Reporting & Record-Keeping

Scope of Work Orders: Generate a written "Scope of Responsibility" document for every event, signed by the physician. This document will be your primary defense evidence to establish that the physician was acting within the protected statutory limits.
Credentialing Files: Maintain current proof of the physician's licensure and good standing with the Texas Medical Board in the specific event file to defend against negligent hiring claims.

Fees & Costs

Insurance Premiums: Prepare for a potential increase in Event Liability and General Liability premiums. Underwriters will recognize that promoters are now the primary target for plaintiff recovery.
Defense Costs: Anticipate higher legal defense costs. You will no longer have the physician's malpractice counsel co-defending the negligence aspects of a personal injury claim.

Strategic Ambiguities & Considerations

"Scope of Responsibilities": The statute protects acts within the "scope of responsibilities" but does not define the boundaries. Does this include the weigh-in physicals 24 hours prior? Does it include locker room care post-fight? Guidance: Define this broadly in your contracts to maximize the immunity coverage, but monitor TDLR for clarification.
The "Gross Negligence" Threshold: Plaintiffs' attorneys will attempt to reclassify standard medical errors as "gross negligence" to pierce the immunity shield. Early litigation will focus heavily on where this line is drawn.

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Legislative Timeline

This bill's path through the Texas Legislature

TopicsAmusements, Games, Sports Civil Remedies & Liabilities Malpractice Malpractice--professionals Occupational Regulation Occupational Regulation--other Trades & Professions Physicians

Official Analysis

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BILL ANALYSIS

Senate Research Center	S.B. 842
89R8276 PRL-F	By: Schwertner
	Business & Commerce
	2/14/2025
	As Filed

AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT

Ringside physicians are licensed medical professionals who play a vital role in ensuring the safety of participants in combative sports events. Every combative sports event licensed by the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation is required to have an assigned ringside physician, whose duties include both preventive and immediate response care under intense pressure.

With the growth in popularity of combative sports in Texas, the need for more physicians to work these events has grown. Stakeholders contend the demand for combative sporting events has outpaced the ability to find and recruit physicians. Recent reports show that physicians are reluctant to sign up to work these events due to the lack of protection from liability.

S.B. 842 clarifies that a ringside physician is immune from civil liability arising from actions performed within their scope of practice at a combative sports event. By safeguarding physicians from legal repercussions, this bill helps to ensure that physicians can continue to make rapid decisions in high pressure circumstances to prioritize and protect the safety of fighters.

As proposed, S.B. 842 amends current law relating to immunity for ringside physicians assigned to combative sports events.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

This bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or agency.

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1. Amends Subchapter F, Chapter 2052, Occupations Code, by adding Section 2052.255, as follows:

Sec. 2052.255. IMMUNITY FOR RINGSIDE PHYSICIANS. (a) Provides that a ringside physician, except as otherwise provided by this section, is immune from civil liability arising from acts within the scope of the physician's responsibilities at a combative sports event.

(b) Provides that the immunity from civil liability provided by Subsection (a) does not apply to a cause of action arising from an act or omission constituting gross negligence of the physician.

SECTION 2. Makes application of Section 2052.255, Occupation Code, as added by this Act, prospective.

SECTION 3. Effective date: upon passage or September 1, 2025.

Senate Authors

Sen. Charles SchwertnerRepublican · Primary Author

Coauthors (1)

Royce West (D)

House Sponsor

Rep. Dade PhelanRepublican · Primary Sponsor

Bill Text(with markup)

S.B. No. 842

View bill text in multiple formats on Texas Legislature website

Fiscal NoteView Original

	AN ACT
	relating to immunity for ringside physicians assigned to combative
	sports events.
	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
	SECTION 1. Subchapter F, Chapter 2052, Occupations Code, is
	amended by adding Section 2052.255 to read as follows:
	Sec. 2052.255. IMMUNITY FOR RINGSIDE PHYSICIANS.
	(a) Except as otherwise provided by this section, a ringside
	physician is immune from civil liability arising from acts within
	the scope of the physician's responsibilities at a combative sports
	event.
	(b) The immunity from civil liability provided by
	Subsection (a) does not apply to a cause of action arising from an
	act or omission constituting gross negligence of the physician.
	SECTION 2. Section 2052.255, Occupations Code, as added by
	this Act, applies only to an action commenced on or after the
	effective date of this Act.
	SECTION 3. This Act takes effect immediately if it receives
	a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as
	provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this
	Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this
	Act takes effect September 1, 2025.

LEGISLATIVE BUDGET BOARD
Austin, Texas

FISCAL NOTE, 89TH LEGISLATIVE REGULAR SESSION


February 17, 2025

TO:	Honorable Charles Schwertner, Chair, Senate Committee on Business & Commerce

FROM:	Jerry McGinty, Director, Legislative Budget Board

IN RE:	SB842 by Schwertner (Relating to immunity for ringside physicians assigned to combative sports events.), As Introduced

No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.

It is assumed that any costs associated with the bill could be absorbed using existing resources.

Local Government Impact

No fiscal implication to units of local government is anticipated.

Source Agencies:

452 Department of Licensing and Regulation

LBB Staff:

JMc, CMA, GDZ, BFa

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Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about SB842

What does Texas SB842 do?

SB842 fundamentally alters the liability landscape for combative sports by granting statutory civil immunity to ringside physicians for standard negligence. This legislation shifts the "deep pocket" litigation risk from the medical professional to the event promoter and venue, requiring an immediate restructuring of insurance limits and indemnification agreements to protect your organization from being the sole target of injury claims. Implementation Timeline Effective Date: September 1, 2025.

Who authored SB842?

SB842 was authored by Texas Senator Charles Schwertner during the Regular Session.

When was SB842 signed into law?

SB842 was signed into law by Governor Greg Abbott on May 24, 2025.

Which agencies enforce SB842?

SB842 is enforced by Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR).

How urgent is compliance with SB842?

The compliance urgency for SB842 is rated as "low". Businesses and organizations should review the requirements and timeline to ensure timely compliance.

What is the cost impact of SB842?

The cost impact of SB842 is estimated as "low". This may vary based on industry and implementation requirements.

What topics does SB842 address?

SB842 addresses topics including amusements, games, sports, civil remedies & liabilities, malpractice, malpractice--professionals and occupational regulation.

Legislative data provided by LegiScanLast updated: November 25, 2025

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