On 20, 2003, Governor Rick Perry of Texas signed H.B. No. 716 into law. The act reads: SECTION 1. Sections 22.01(c) and (e), Penal Code, are amended to read as follows:

(c) An offense under Subsection (a)(2) or (3) is a Class C misdemeanor, except that the offense is:

1. a Class A misdemeanor if the offense is committed under Subsection (a)(3) against an elderly individual or disabled individual, as those terms are defined by Section 22.04; or
2. a Class B misdemeanor if the offense is committed by a person who is not a sports participant against a person the actor knows is a sports participant either:

1. while the participant is performing duties or responsibilities in the participant’s capacity as a sports participant; or
2. in retaliation for or on account of the participant’s performance of a duty or responsibility within the participant’s capacity as a sports participant.
   
   

(e) In this section:

1. "Family" has the meaning assigned by Section 71.003, Family Code.
2. "Household" has the meaning assigned by Section 71.005, Family Code.
3. "Sports participant" means a person who participates in any official capacity with respect to interscholastic, intercollegiate, or other organized amateur or professional athletic competition and includes an athlete, referee, umpire, linesman, coach, instructor, administrator, or staff member.

SECTION 2. The change in law made by this Act applies only to an offense committed on or after the effective date of this Act. An offense committed before the effective date of this Act is covered by the law in effect when the offense was committed, and the former law is continued in effect for that purpose. For purposes of this section, an offense was committed before the effective date of this Act if any element of the offense occurred before that date.

SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2003.