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State Legislation

State Legislation Aimed at Protecting
Sports Officials from Assaults or Harassment

The following states have legislation specifically defining assaults on sports officials as crimes or other legislation that could protect sports officials.


ALABAMA

Section 1. For purposes of this act, a “sports official”, is a person at a sports event who enforces the rules of the event, such as an umpire or referee, or a person who supervises the participants, such as a coach. A “sports event” includes any interscholastic or intramural athletic activity in a primary, middle, junior high, or high school, college, or university, any organized athletic activity sponsored by a community, business, or nonprofit organization, any athletic activity that is a professional or semiprofessional event, and any other organized athletic activity in the state.

Section 2. (a) A person commits the crime of harassment of a sports official if he or she commits the crime of harassment as provided for by Section 13A-11-8, Code of Alabama 1975, and the victim is a sports official performing official duties and the harassment is a result of the official performing his or her official duties. Harassment of a sports official is a Class B misdemeanor. (b) A person commits the crime of menacing a sports official if he or she commits the crime of menacing as provided for by Section 13A-6-23, Code of Alabama 1975, and the victim is a sports official performing official duties and the menacing is a result of the official performing his or her official duties. Menacing a sports official is a Class A misdemeanor. (c) A person commits the crime of assault of a sports official in the third degree if he or she commits the crime of assault in the third degree as provided for by Section 13A-6-22, Code of Alabama 1975, and the victim is a sports official performing official duties and the assault is a result of the official performing his or her official duties. Assault of a sports official in the third degree is a Class C felony. (d) A person commits the crime of assault of a sports official in the second degree if he or she commits the crime of assault in the second degree as provided for by Section 13A-6-21, Code of Alabama 1975, and the victim is a sports official performing official duties and the assault is a result of the official performing his or her official duties. Assault of a sports official in the second degree is a Class B felony. (e) A person commits the crime of assault of a sports official in the first degree if he or she commits the crime of assault in the first degree as provided for by Section 13A-6-20, Code of Alabama 1975, and the victim is a sports official performing official duties and the assault is a result of the official performing his or her official duties. Assault of a sports official in the first degree is a Class A felony.

Section 3. Although this bill would have as its purpose or effect the requirement of a new or increased expenditure of local funds, the bill is excluded from further requirements and application under Amendment 621 because the bill defines a new crime or amends the definition of an existing crime.

Section 4. This act shall become effective on the first day of the third month following upon its passage and approval by the Governor, or upon its otherwise becoming a law.


ARKANSAS

SECTION 1. Arkansas Code § 5-13-209 is amended to read as follows: 21 5-13-209. Abuse of athletic contest officials.

(a) A person commits abuse of an athletic official if, immediately prior to, during, or immediately following an interscholastic, intercollegiate, or any other organized amateur or professional athletic contest in which an athletic contest official is participating, the person:
(1) With the purpose of causing serious physical injury to an athletic contest official, causes serious physical injury to an athletic contest official;
(2) With the purpose of causing physical injury to an athletic contest official, causes serious physical injury to an athletic contest official;
(3) With the purpose of causing physical injury to an athletic  contest official, causes physical injury to an athletic contest official; or
(4) Purposely creates apprehension of imminent physical injury in an athletic contest official.

(b) Abuse of an athletic contest official is a:
(1) Class B felony under subdivision (a)(1) of 4 this section;
(2) Class C felony under subdivision (a)(2) of this section;
(3) Class A misdemeanor under subdivision (a)(3) of this section with a minimum fine of two thousand five hundred dollars ($2,500); and
(4) Class A misdemeanor under subdivision (a)(4) of this section.


CALIFORNIA

California Penal Code Section 243.8 provides: (a) When a battery is committed against a sports official immediately prior to, during, or immediately following an interscholastic, intercollegiate, or any other organized amateur or professional athletic contest in which the sports official is participating, and the person who commits the offense knows or reasonably should know that the victim is engaged in the performance of his or her duties, the offense shall be punishable by a fine not exceeding Two Thousand Dollars ($2,000), or by imprisonment in the county jail not exceeding one year, or by both that fine and imprisonment. (b) For the purposes of this section, “sports official” means nay individual who serves as a referee, umpire, linesman, or who serves in similar capacity but may be known by a different title or name and is duly registered by, or a member of a local, state, regional or national organization engaged in part in providing education and training to sports officials. (Adopted October 5, 1991)


DELAWARE

Section 1. Amend § 614, Title 11 of the Delaware Code, by striking the existing language and substituting in lieu thereof the following:

Ҥ 614. Abuse of a Sports Official; Class G Felony; Class A Misdemeanor.

(a) A person is guilty of Abuse of a Sports Official whenever the person intentionally or recklessly commits the following acts against a sports official who is acting in the lawful performance of duty:

Reckless Endangering in the Second Degree, as set forth in § 603 of this Chapter; or

Assault in the Third Degree, as set forth in § 611 of this Chapter; or

Terroristic Threatening, as set forth in § 621 of this Chapter; or

Criminal Mischief, as set forth in § 811 of this Chapter.

(b) For purposes of this Section, the words ‘sports official’ shall mean any person who serves as a registered, paid or volunteer referee, umpire, line judge or acts in any similar capacity during a sporting event. For purposes of this Section, the words, ‘lawful performance of duty’ means the time immediately prior to, during and/or immediately after the sporting event.(c) Whoever violates subsection (a) of this Section shall be guilty of a Class A misdemeanor. Upon conviction for a second or subsequent offense under this Section, such person shall be guilty of a Class G felony. Notwithstanding Chapter 42 of this Title, such person shall be fined not less than $1,000 nor more than $2,350. In addition to the fines imposed by this subsection, any person who is guilty of Abuse of a Sports Official shall be prohibited from participating in and/or attending any organized sporting event for a period of not less than three (3) months nor more than twelve (12) months.(d) Except as provided in § 922 of Title 10, and notwithstanding any other provision of law to the contrary, the Court of Common Pleas shall have original jurisdiction to hear, try and finally determine any violation of this Section, and any other misdemeanor violation of any offense set forth in this Title which was allegedly committed during the same incident. Prosecution under this Section shall not preclude a separate charge, conviction and sentence for any other crime set forth in the Code.”


FLORIDA

Section 1. Section 784.081 Florida Statutes is amended to read: Assault or battery on specified officials or employees; reclassification of offenses.

(1) For purposes of this section, the term “sports official” means any person who serves as a referee, an umpire, or a linesman, and any person who serves in a similar capacity as a sports official who may be known by another title , which sports official is duly registered by or is a member of a local, state, regional, or national organization that is engaged in part in providing education and training to sports officials.

(2) Whenever a person is charged with committing an assault or aggravated assault or a battery or aggravated battery upon a sports official when the person committing the offense knows or has reason to know the identity or position or employment of the victim, the offense for which the person is charged shall be reclassified as follows:

a) In the case of aggravated battery, from a felony of the second degree to a felony of the first degree.

b) In the case of aggravated assault, from felony of the third degree to a felony of the second degree.

c) In the case of battery, from the misdemeanor of the first degree to a felony of the third degree.

d) In the case of assault, from a misdemeanor of the second degree to a misdemeanor of the first degree.

(3) An assault, aggravated assault, battery or aggravated battery upon a sports official shall be reclassified pursuant to subsection (2) only if such offense is committed upon the sports official when he or she is actively participating as a sports official in an athletic contest or immediately following such a contest. Section 2. This act shall take effect October 1, 2004.


GEORGIA

Statute 16-5-23 provides:

(a) A person commits the offense of simple battery when he or she either:

(1) Intentionally makes physical contact of an insulting or provoking nature with the person of another; or

(2) Intentionally causes physical harm to another.

(b) Except as otherwise provided in subsections (c) through (g) (h) of this Code section, a person convicted of the offense of simple battery shall be punished as for a misdemeanor. (h) Any person who commits the offense of simple battery against a sports official while such sports official is officiating an amateur contest or while such sports official is on or exiting the property where he or she will officiate or has completed officiating an amateur contest shall, upon conviction thereof, be punished for a misdemeanor of a high and aggravated nature. For the purposes of this Code section, the term ‘sports official’ means any person who officiates, umpires, or referees an amateur contest at the collegiate, elementary or secondary school, or recreational level.


HAWAII

SECTION 1. Chapter 706, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding a new section to part I to be appropriately designated and to read as follows: §706- Assault against a sports official. (1) If a person is convicted of the offense of:
(a) Assault in the first degree, as provided by section 707-710;
(b) Assault in the second degree, as provided by section 707-711 (a), (b), or (d);
(c) Assault in the third degree, as provided by section 707-712;
(d) Terroristic threatening in the first degree, as provided by section 707-716 (a), (e), or (f); or
(e) Terroristic threatening in the second degree, as provided by section 707-717; and the victim of the offense is a sports official engaged in the lawful discharge of the sports official’s duties, the court may order, in the court’s discretion, that the defendant, in addition to any other punishment imposed pursuant to chapter 706, be enjoined from attending any sports event of the type at which the sports official was engaged in the lawful discharge of the sports official’s duties for a period of up to twelve months from the date of sentencing for a first offense, and for life for a second or subsequent offense.
(2) For the purposes of this section: “Lawful discharge of the sports official’s duty” means the performance of duties of a sports official from the time the sports official arrives at the venue of a sports event and ending when the sports official returns to their residence or business.
“Sports event” means any organized amateur or professional athletic contest in the State.
“Sports official” means a person at a sports event who enforces the rules of the event, such as an umpire, referee, timer, or scorer, or a person who supervises the participants, such as a coach, regardless of whether the person is paid or provides their services as an unpaid volunteer.


ILLINOIS

HB4023 Section 5. The Criminal Code of 1961 is amended by changing Section 12-2 as follows: (720 ILCS 5/12-2) (from Ch. 38, par. 12-2) Sec. 12-2. Aggravated assault. (a) A person commits an aggravated assault, when, in committing an assault, he:

(17) Knows the individual assaulted to be a sports official or coach at any level of competition and the act causing the assault to the sports official or coach within an athletic facility or an indoor or outdoor playing field or within the immediate vicinity of the athletic facility or an indoor or outdoor playing field at which the sports official or coach was an active participant in the athletic contest held at the athletic facility. For the purposes of this paragraph (17), “sports official” means a person at an athletic contest who enforces the rules of the contest, such as an umpire or referee; and “coach” means a person recognized as a coach by the sanctioning authority that conducted the athletic contest. b) Sentence. Aggravated assault as defined in paragraph (17) of subsection (a) of this Section is a Class A misdemeanor.

HB4120 Section 5. The Unified Code of Corrections is amended by changing Section 5-5-3 as follows: (730 ILCS 5/5-5-3) (from Ch. 38, par. 1005-5-3) Sec. 5-5-3. Disposition. a) Every person convicted of an offense shall be sentenced as provided in this Section. (11) The court shall impose a minimum fine of $1,000 for a first offense and $2,000 for a second or subsequent upon a person convicted of or placed on supervision for battery when the individual harmed was a sports or coach at any level of competition and the act causing harm to the sports official or coach occurred within an athletic facility or within the immediate vicinity of the athletic facility at which the sports official or coach was an active participant of the athletic contest held at the athletic facility. For the purposes of this paragraph (11), “sports official” means a person at an athletic contest who enforces the rules of the contest, such as an umpire or referee; “athletic facility” means an indoor or outdoor playing field or recreational area where sports activities are conducted; and “coach” means a person recognized as a coach by the sanctioning authority that the sporting event.


KENTUCKY

Section 518.090 – Assault of sports official

(1) A person is guilty of assault of a sports official when he intentionally causes physical injury to a sports official: (a) Who was performing sports official duties at the time the physical injury was perpetrated; or (b) If the physical injury occurs while the sports official is arriving at or departing from the athletic facility at which the athletic event occurred. (2) For the purposes of this section, “sports official” means an individual who serves as a referee, umpire, linesman, or in a similar capacity that may be known by another title, and who is duly registered as or is a member of a national, state, regional, or local organization engaged, in part, in providing education and training to sports officials. (3) A person who is guilty of assault of a sports official shall, for a first offense, be guilty of a Class A misdemeanor, unless the defendant assembles with five (5) or more persons for the purpose of assaulting a sports official, in which case it is a Class D felony. (4) A person who is guilty of assault of a sport official shall, for a second or subsequent offense, be guilty of a Class D felony.

Effective: July 15, 1998


LOUISIANA

Louisiana Rev. Stat. Ann. Section 14-34-4 provides: (A)(1) Battery of a school athletic contest official is a battery committed without the consent of the victim when the offender has reasonable grounds to believe the victim is a school contest official. (2) For purposes of this section, “school athletic contest official” means any referee, umpire, coach, instructor, administrator, staff person, or school or school board employee of any public or private secondary school while actively engaged in conducting, supervising, refereeing, or officiating of a school sanctioned interscholastic athletic contest. (B)(1) Whoever commits the crime of battery of a school athletic contest official shall be fined not more than Five Hundred Dollars ($500) and imprisoned not less than fifteen days nor more than six months without benefit of suspension of sentence. (2) The court in its discretion, may suspend the imposition of sentence and place the offender on probation with the condition that he shall serve two days in jail or perform five days of community service work. Failure to successfully complete the community service work, as determined by the supervisor or the program to which he is assigned, may result in revocation of probation.

RS 14:38.4: Harassment of a school or recreation athletic contest official

A. (1) No person shall engage in the harassment of a school athletic or recreation athletic contest official that occurs under either of the following circumstances: (a) While the school athletic or recreation athletic contest official is actively engaged in the conducting, supervising, refereeing, or officiating of a school-sanctioned interscholastic athletic contest or a sanctioned recreation athletic contest. (b) In the immediate vicinity of a school-sanctioned interscholastic athletic contest or a sanctioned recreation athletic contest and is based on the official’s performance in the conducting, supervising, refereeing, or officiating of a school-sanctioned interscholastic athletic contest or a sanctioned recreation athletic contest. (2) For purposes of this Subsection, “harassment” shall include verbal or non-verbal behavior by the offender that would cause a reasonable person to be placed in fear of receiving bodily harm.

B. For purposes of this Section: (1) “Recreation athletic contest official” means any referee, umpire, coach, instructor, administrator, staff person, or recreation employee of any public or quasi public recreation program. (2) “School athletic contest official” means any referee, umpire, coach, instructor, administrator, staff person, or school or school board employee of any public or private elementary and secondary school.

C. (1) Whoever commits the crime of harassment of a school or recreation athletic contest official shall be fined not more than five hundred dollars, imprisoned without hard labor for not more than ninety days, or both. (2)(a) In addition to any other penalty imposed, the court shall order the offender to perform forty hours of court-approved community service work. (b) In addition to any other penalty imposed, the court shall order the offender to participate in a court-approved counseling program which may include anger management, abusive behavior intervention groups, or any other type of counseling deemed appropriate by the court. Any costs associated with the counseling program shall be borne by the offender. (c) Participation in the community service and counseling program required by the provisions of Subparagraphs (a) and (b) of this Paragraph shall not be suspended. (d) Failure to successfully complete the community service work and counseling program, as determined by the supervisor of the program to which he is assigned, may result in revocation of probation.
Acts 2019, No. 355, §1.


MINNESOTA

Minnesota Chapter 128C.08 Subdivision 2 states: “Any person who assaults a sports official in connection with an interscholastic athletic activity may be excluded from attending an activity for up to 12 months.”


MONTANA

Montana Code Ann. Section 45-5-211 provides: (1) A person commits the offense of assault upon a sports official if, while a sports official is acting as an official at an athletic contest in any sport at any level of amateur or professional competition, the person: (a) purposely or knowingly causes bodily injury to the sports official; (b) negligently causes bodily injury to the sports official with a weapon; (c) purposely or knowingly makes physical contact of an insulting or provoking nature with the sports official; (d) purposely or knowingly causes reasonable apprehension of bodily injury in the sports official. (2) A person convicted of assault upon a sports official shall be fined an amount not to exceed one thousand dollars ($1,000) or be imprisoned in the county jail for any term not to exceed six months, or both.


NEVADA

Assembly Bill No. 474—Committee on Judiciary

2. A person convicted of an assault shall be punished:

(a) If paragraph (c) or (d) of this subsection does not apply to the circumstances of the crime and the assault is not made with the use of a deadly weapon, or the present ability to use a deadly weapon, for a misdemeanor.

(b) If the assault is made with the use of a deadly weapon, or the present ability to use a deadly weapon, for a category B felony by imprisonment in the state prison for a minimum term of not less than 1 year and a maximum term of not more than 6 years, or by a fine of not more than $5,000, or by both fine and imprisonment.

(c) If paragraph (d) of this subsection does not apply to the circumstances of the crime and if the assault is committed upon an officer, a provider of health care, a school employee, a taxicab driver or a transit operator who is performing his duty or upon a sports official based on the performance of his duties at a sporting event, and the person charged knew or should have known that the victim was an officer, a provider of health care, a school employee, a taxicab driver , [or] a transit operator [,] or a sports official, for a gross misdemeanor, unless the assault is made with the use of a deadly weapon, or the present ability to use a deadly weapon, then for a category B felony by imprisonment in the state prison for a minimum term of not less than 1 year and a maximum term of not more than 6 years, or by a fine of not more than $5,000, or by both fine and imprisonment.

(d) If the assault is committed upon an officer, a provider of health care, a school employee, a taxicab driver or a transit operator who is performing his duty [,] or upon a sports official based on the performance of his duties at a sporting event by a probationer, a prisoner who is in lawful custody or confinement or a parolee, and the probationer, prisoner or parolee charged knew or should have known that the victim was an officer, a provider of health care, a school employee, a taxicab driver , [or] a transit operator [,] or a sports official, for a category D felony as provided in NRS 193.130, unless the assault is made with the use of a deadly weapon, or the present ability to use a deadly weapon, then for a category B felony by imprisonment in the state prison for a minimum term of not less than 1 year and a maximum term of not more than 6 years, or by a fine of not more than $5,000, or by both fine and imprisonment.


NEW HAMPSHIRE

631:4-b Harm or Threats to Sports Officials.

I. In this section:

(a) “Discharge of the sports official’s duties” begins at the time the sports official arrives at the field of play or immediate vicinity and ends when the sports official has left the field of play or immediate vicinity.

(b) “Field of play or immediate vicinity” means any field, court, stadium, park, or other venue designated for a sports event, or the parking lot, hallways, spectator areas, or pathways providing access to and from the field, court, stadium, park, or venue.

(c) “Participant” means any person acting as a spectator, coach, administrator, or player at a sports event.

(d) “Sports event” means any organized amateur or professional athletic contest in the state.

(e) “Sports official” means a person at a sports event who enforces the rules of the event, such as an umpire, referee, timer, or scorer, regardless of whether the person is paid or provides his or her services as an unpaid volunteer.

II. Any person who commits first degree assault under RSA 631:1, second degree assault under RSA 631:2, simple assault under RSA 631:2-a, reckless conduct under RSA 631:3, criminal threatening under RSA 631:4, or harassment under RSA 644:4, against a sports official engaged in the discharge of the sports official’s duties on the field of play or immediate vicinity shall be guilty of the offense of harming or threatening a sports official and subject to the punishment prescribed for the underlying offense.

III. In addition, the court may prohibit any person convicted of an offense under this section from acting as a participant at a sports event within this state for any period of time the court deems reasonable, up to and including life, except that the court shall not prohibit a person from acting as a participant at a sports event for more than 12 months for a first offense. Any person violating such order may, in addition to being held in criminal contempt of court or subject to a probation violation, if applicable, be fined in the amount of $1,000 in any court of competent jurisdiction for each violation of the order.

Effective Date. This act shall take effect January 1, 2025.


NEW JERSEY

New Jersey Stat. Ann. Section 2C:44-1 (a) provides in part: In determining the appropriate sentence to be imposed on a person who has been convicted of an offense, the court shall consider the following aggravating circumstances: (8) The defendant committed offense against a police officer or other law enforcement officer, correctional employee or fireman, acting in the performance of his duties while in uniform or exhibiting evidence of his authority, the defendant committed the offense against a sports official, athletic coach or manager, acting in or immediately following the performance of his duties or because of the person’s status as a sports official, coach or manager.


NEW MEXICO

New Mexico statutes provide: 1) “in the lawful discharge of his duties” means engaged in the performance of the duties of a sports official, beginning when the sports official arrives at a sports event and ending when a sports official returns to his residence or business following a sports event; and

(2) “sports official” means a person who:

(a) serves as a referee, umpire linesman, timer or scorer, or who serves in a similar capacity, while working, supervising or administering a sports event; and

(b) is registered as a member of a local, state, regional or national organization that is engaged in providing education and training to sports officials.

B. Assault upon a sports official consists of:

(1) an attempt to commit a battery upon the person of a sports official while he is in the lawful discharge of his duties; or

(2) any unlawful act, threat or menacing conduct that causes a sports official while he is in the lawful discharge of his duties to reasonably believe that he is in danger of receiving an immediate battery.

C. Whoever commits assault upon a sports official is guilty of a misdemeanor.

D. Aggravated assault upon a sports official consists of:

(1) unlawfully assaulting or striking at a sports official with a deadly weapon while he is in the lawful discharge of his duties;

(2) committing assault by threatening or menacing a sports official who is engaged in the lawful discharge of his duties by a person wearing a mask, hood, robe or other covering upon the face, head or body, or while disguised in any manner so as to conceal identity; or

(3) willfully and intentionally assaulting a sports official while he is in the lawful discharge of his duties with intent to commit any felony.

E. Whoever commits aggravated assault upon a sports official is guilty of a third degree felony.

F. Assault with intent to commit a violent felony upon a sports official consists of any person assaulting a sports official while he is in the lawful discharge of his duties with intent to kill the sports official.

G. Whoever commits assault with intent to commit a violent felony upon a sports official is guilty of a second degree felony.

H. Battery upon a sports official is the unlawful, intentional touching or application of force to the person of a sports official while he is in the lawful discharge of his duties, when done in a rude, insolent or angry manner.

I. Whoever commits battery upon a sports official is guilty of a fourth degree felony.

J. Aggravated battery upon a sports official consists of the unlawful touching or application of force to the person of a sports official with intent to injure that sports official while he is in the lawful discharge of his duties.

K. Whoever commits aggravated battery upon a sports official, inflicting an injury to the sports official that is not likely to cause death or great bodily harm, but does cause painful temporary disfigurement or temporary loss or impairment of the functions of any member or organ of the body, is guilty of a third degree felony.

L. Whoever commits aggravated battery upon a sports official, inflicting great bodily harm, or does so with a deadly weapon or in any manner whereby great bodily harm or death can be inflicted, is guilty of a second degree felony.

M. A person who assists or is assisted by one or more other persons to commit a battery upon any sports official while he is in the lawful discharge of his duties is guilty of a fourth degree felony.”

Section 2. EFFECTIVE DATE.–The effective date of the provisions of this act is July 1, 2001.


NORTH CAROLINA

North Carolina General Stat. Section 14-33(b)(9) provides in part: (b) Unless his conduct is covered under some other provision of law providing greater punishment, any person who commits assault, assault and battery, or affray is guilty of a misdemeanor punishable by fine, imprisonment for not more than two years, or both such fine and imprisonment if, in the course of the assault, assault and battery, or affray he: (9) Commits an assault and battery against a sports official when the sports official is discharging or attempting to discharge official duties at a sports event, or immediately after the sports event at which the sports official discharged his duties. A “sports official” is a person at a sports event who enforces the rules of the event, such as an umpire or referee, or a person who supervises the participants, such as a coach. A “sports event” includes any interscholastic or intramural athletic activity in a primary, middle, junior high, or high school, college, or university, any organized athletic activity sponsored by a community, business, or nonprofit organization, any athletic activity that is a professional or semiprofessional event, and any other organized athletic activity in the State.


OKLAHOMA

Oklahoma Stat. Ann. Tit. 21, Section 650.1 provides: Every person who, without justifiable or excusable cause and with intent to do bodily harm, commits any assault, battery, assault and battery upon the person of a referee, umpire, timekeeper, coach, official, or any person having authority in connection with any amateur or professional athletic contest is guilty of a misdemeanor and is punishable by imprisonment in the county jail not exceeding on e year or by a fine not exceeding One Thousand Dollars ($1,000) or both such fine and imprisonment.


OREGON

Oregon Statutes provide: (1) In addition to, and not in lieu of any other damages that may be claimed, a plaintiff who is a sports official shall receive liquidated damages in an amount not less than $500 but not more than $1,000 in any action in which the plaintiff establishes that:

(a) The defendant intentionally subjected the plaintiff to offensive physical contact;

(b) The defendant knew that the plaintiff was a sports official at the time the offensive physical contact was made;

(c) The offensive physical contact is made while the plaintiff is within, or in the immediate vicinity of, a facility at which the plaintiff serves as a sports official for a sports event; and

(d) The offensive physical contact is made while the plaintiff is serving as a sports official or within a brief period of time thereafter.

(2) The court shall award reasonable attorney fees to a prevailing plaintiff in an action in which liquidated damages are awarded under this section.

(3) An award of liquidated damages under this section is not subject to ORS 18.535, 18.537 or 18.540.

(4) As used in this section, ‘sports official’ means a person who:

(a) Serves as a referee, umpire, linesman or judge or performs similar functions under a different title; and

(b) Is a member of, or registered by, a local, state, regional or national organization that engages in providing education and training in sports officiating.


PENNSYLVANIA

Pennsylvania Cons. Stat. Ann. Section 2712 provides: (a) Offense defined. A person who violates section 2701 (relating to simple assault), where the victim is a sports official who was assaulted during a sports event or was assaulted as a result of his or her officials acts as a sports official, is guilty of assault on a sports official. (b) Grading. Assault on a sports official is a misdemeanor of the first degree. (c) Definitions. As used in this section, the following words and phrases shall have the meaning given to them in this subsection: “Sports Event” –Any interscholastic athletic activity in a junior high, high school or college or university in this Commonwealth or any other organized athletic activity in this Commonwealth including a professional or semiprofessional event. “Sports Official”–A person at a sports event who enforces the rules of the event, such as an umpire or referee, or a person who supervises the participants, such as a coach. The term includes a trainer, team attendant, game manager, athletic director, assistant athletic director, president, dean, headmaster, principal and assistant principal of a school, college or university.


SOUTH CAROLINA

SECTION 22-3-560, Code of Laws South Carolina, relating to jurisdiction and procedure in magistrates courts in assault and battery and other breach of the peace offenses, so as to increase the magistrates courts’ jurisdiction for all assault and battery offenses against sports officials and coaches to provide for a fine not exceeding one thousand dollars or imprisonment for a term not exceeding sixty days, or both.


TEXAS

H.B. No. 716 AN ACT relating to the punishment for assaults committed against certain sports participants. Be it enacted by the legislature of the state of texas 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 [an] offense [under Subsection (a)(3)] is:(1) a Class A misdemeanor if the offense is [was] 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:(A) while the participant is performing duties or responsibilities in the participant’s capacity as a sports participant; or (B) 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 an 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.


WEST VIRGINIA

West Virginia Section 61-2-15a provides: (a) If any person commits an assault as defined in subsection (b), section nine sect. 61-2-9(b) of this article, to the person of an athletic official during the time the official is acting as an athletic official, the offender is guilty of a misdemeanor, and, upon conviction thereof, shall be fined not less than Fifty Dollars ($50) nor more than One Hundred Dollars ($100), and imprisoned in the county jail not less than twenty-four hours nor more than thirty days. (b) If any person commits a battery, as defined in subsection (c), section nine, sect. 61-2-9(c) of this article, against an athletic official during the time the official is acting as an athletic official, the offender is guilty of a misdemeanor, and upon conviction thereof, shall be fined not less than One Hundred Dollars($100), and imprisoned in the county jail not less than twenty-four hours nor more than thirty days. (c) For the purpose of this section, “athletic official” means a person at a sports event who enforces the rules of that event, such as an umpire, referee, or a person who supervises the participants, such as a coach.