Has your state passed laws related to assault and/or harassment of sports officials, officials’ liability and independent contractor status?
State laws criminalizing attacks and harassment of officials serve as a deterrent and tell prosecutors, judges and juries that such acts are to be taken seriously. Limited liability laws are an added protection to exempt officials (sometimes only volunteer officials) from liability for injuries unless they are grossly negligent. Independent contractor laws classify officials as such — at least for the purposes of workers’ compensation.
While the scope of state legislation varies, sports officials should be able to perform their duties without threat of personal injury, administrative hearings or litigation because of game calls. State legislators can show support for officials by passing laws to protect them.
NASO has been bringing attention to assault/harassment, liability and independent contractor issues for years. The map, updated for 2026, displays the states that have passed laws dealing with those issues. There are 24 states that have officiating assault and/or harassment laws (including 22 with criminal laws and two with civil statutes), 17 with limited liability legislation and 15 states with independent contractor laws. In addition, three states — Idaho, Washington and Missouri — have supportive resolutions for officials.
Pass Legislation in Your State
Since 1984, when NASO first submitted model legislation regarding assaults against officials, legislators have used such models to construct their own legislative bills.
There is no fool-proof plan to get the job done. Each state handles legislation differently. Before you move forward, do some research. Request an NASO Assault Legislation Packet and visit naso.org.
Legislation Updates
Many states have pursued or are pursuing officiating legislation in 2026, two passing legislation. NASO has supported some of those efforts through contacting officials in the state to make them aware of the bills and providing written testimony. Here are recent legislation efforts:
Washington Passes Bill to Protect Officials
On March 23, Washington Gov. Bob Ferguson signed into law Senate Bill 5272, which extends penalties for intimidation, threats or acts of violence occurring at school events and extracurricular activities, while recognizing and protecting officials in the performance of their duties.
The new law, effective June 11, adds sports officials to a list of school roles for which it is a gross misdemeanor to use threats of force or violence against. Threatening or forcibly interfering with officials can now be punishable by a fine of up to $500 or imprisonment for up to six months, or both.
West Virginia Upgrades Protection for Officials
On March 27, West Virginia Gov. Patrick Morrisey signed into law House Bill 4999, which upgrades protections for sports officials that had been in place.
The new law, effective June 12, establishes minimum fines for offenses against sports officials and participants, and authorizes that a person convicted of the offenses is to be banned from certain sporting events. A violation of the ban is a form of trespass, which results in criminal penalties.
Hawaii
HB1592, which was introduced Jan. 21, proposes elevating criminal penalties for assaults committed against educational workers and sports officials, while preserving appropriate judicial discretion at sentencing. The bill is currently being considered in committee.
Maryland
HB 1053, which was introduced Feb. 9, prohibits a person from intentionally causing physical injury to another if the person knows or has reason to know that the other is an official, an umpire, a referee or a judge officiating at a sporting event, and authorizes a police officer to arrest a person without a warrant if the officer has probable cause to believe that the person has committed a certain assault, establishing that a person who violates the Act is guilty of a misdemeanor of assault in the second degree and is subject to certain penalties. The bill has been sent to committee.
Massachusetts
HB 1600, HB 1625, HB 1682 and HB 1969, introduced in 2025 and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary, carried over in 2026. The bills call for enhanced penalties for assault and/or harassment of sports officials. While hearings were scheduled on the bills late last year, no further actions were reported.
Missouri
HB 1841, which was first read Jan. 7, and HB 3213, which was introduced Feb. 4, modify provisions relating to sports officials, including expanding the definition of special victim to include officials at a sporting event.
A sports official is defined as someone trained and certified or registered by an organization that educates, trains and certifies or registers sports officials, and includes roles such as judges, linesmen, referees or umpires. The change would amend Section 565.002 of the Revised Statutes of Missouri, which provides definitions for terms used in Chapter 565, concerning offenses against the person.
Nebraska
LB 657, introduced Jan. 22 and referred to the Judiciary Committee on Jan. 24, creates the offense of assault on a sports official and provides a penalty under the Nebraska Criminal Code. After a hearing for the bill on Feb. 12, no further action was reported.
New Jersey
S2322 and A1389 were introduced and referred to the Assembly Judiciary Committee Jan. 13. The bills seek to upgrade certain types of assault against sports officials to aggravated assault.
New York
SB 662 and A10950, referred to codes March 10 and April 14 respectively, establish the crime of assault on sports officials and harassment of a sports official; makes harassment of a sports official a violation; requires the state education department to establish an information campaign to be distributed to all youth and school sports programs requiring such programs to disseminate information to parents and other spectators of such programs on the protections afforded sports officials.
Ohio
HB 139, which carried over to the 2026 legislative session, passed the House Oct. 1, 2025. It increases assault penalties if the victim is a sports official and is currently in the Judiciary Committee. Three committee hearings resulted in no further action as of press time.
Pennsylvania
HB 102 was introduced and referred to the Judiciary Committee in January. It is an act to amend Title 18 (Crimes and Offenses) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in assault, providing for the offense of harassment of sports official. It was referred to the Senate Judiciary Committee Oct. 3, 2025, with no further action reported.
Rhode Island
HB 7549 and SB 2316, titled “An Act Relating to Criminal Offenses — Assaults,” were introduced in January. The bills issue penalties to those who injure referees at events involving local youth, schools, adult recreational, all the way up to semipro and professional.
Go to naso.org for the latest legislation information and links to the proposed bills.
