Florida Sports Officials Protection Law Passes

(RACINE, Wis.) - The Florida Senate and House approved a bill to protect sports officials at all levels of competition from threats and assaults as one of its final acts before adjourning its 2004 session on April 30.

Both houses unanimously passed the Senate version (S678), which increases aggravated assault and battery punishments to the felony level.

The law adds the definition of sports officials to an existing provision that already protects numerous other public servants such as elected officials, teachers, Department of Children and Family Services employees and others.

Florida becomes the 18th state to enact legislation specifically created to protect sports officials.

The National Association of Sports Officials, working with numerous local officials’ organizations within the state, pursued the legislation for many years.

"Assaults against officials are a serious matter and they are impacting recruitment efforts," said NASO President Barry Mano. "Officials are quitting early. Getting young people interested in officiating is more difficult because they see the poor behavior going unpunished. Having this measure of protection will send a strong message that physically assaulting an official will not be tolerated."

The new law protects officials not only during the game, but before and after a contest as well.

"There have been times when officials have been followed home by irate individuals and the assault has occurred away from the game site," added Mano. "This legislation provides an extra element of protection that is necessary."

The new law affects more than 10,000 men, women, boys and girls officiating sporting events from recreational programs to professional contests.

Florida Gov. Jeb Bush is expected to sign the bill into law before July 1, making the law effective Oct. 1, 2004.

For more information about legislation protecting sports officials, visit www.naso.org.