Florida Governor Signs Bill to Protect Officials

RACINE, Wis. – Florida Gov. Jeb Bush signed a sports officials’ protection bill yesterday, giving Florida sports officials at all levels of competition added protection from assaults effective Oct. 1. With the governor’s signature, Florida becomes the 18th state to specifically pass legislation protecting sports officials, according to the National Association of Sports Officials (NASO).

The new law, which was unanimously approved by the Florida Senate and House, provides enhanced penalties for assault, battery, aggravated assault or aggravated battery against sports officials. Those crimes against officials could now result in fines up to $10,000 and threes years in jail.

The law adds 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.

"Assaults against officials are a serious matter and they are impacting recruitment efforts," said NASO President Barry Mano. "It’s important that Gov. Bush acknowledged the need for protecting today’s sports officials. The passing of this legislation sends a strong message that physically assaulting an official will not be tolerated."

NASO, working with numerous local officials associations with the state, has pursued the legislation for many years. The new law affects more than 10,000 men, women, boys and girls officiating sports events from recreational programs to professional contests.

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