April 3, 2001

New Mexico Governor Signs Assault Protection Bill

(RACINE, Wis.) — Effective July 1, sports officials in New Mexico will be protected under a new law signed yesterday by Governor Gary Johnson. New Mexico becomes the 15th state to enact protective legislation for sports officials, according to the National Association of Sports Officials (NASO).

"The governor’s decision to sign my bill will guarantee that our soccer fields, baseball diamonds and playgrounds never turn into battlegrounds," said Senate President Pro Tem Richard Romero, an Albuquerque Democrat and primary sponsor of the measure.

NASO member Terry Linton, a retired football and basketball referee from Albuquerque, led a tireless grassroots effort coordinating various local officiating groups and individual sports officials.

"There were many ups and downs as we went through the process," said Linton. "I’m very proud that our legislators listened and have acted."

The law will establish tougher penalties for persons convicted of assaulting a sports official, no matter what level the official is working. Penalties range from a misdemeanor charge to a second-degree felony charge if a weapon is used.

NASO, a not-for-profit association with more than 18,000 members nationwide, has promoted such legislation since the mid-1980s. Twelve other states are currently considering similar legislation.

Headquartered in Racine, Wis., NASO receives two to three reports a week of physical assaults against sports officials.

"In recent years we have seen a rash of brutal and physical attacks against the men, women, boys and girls who officiate the games we play," said NASO President Barry Mano. "People need to understand that officials will make mistakes. They are human, but that doesn’t mean one can take a bat and swing it at the official’s head because they don’t like the official’s decision."

Ric Maxey, assistant director of the New Mexico Activities Association, told the Albuquerque Journal that officials responding to a survey in his state stated that their greatest worries were the verbal and physical abuse they have been subjected to in recent years.

"Across the country officiating registration numbers are down," adds Mano. "Physical violence is certainly a factor.