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Ohio lawmakers reintroduce bill to increase penalties for assaults on sports officials
Summary
Sponsors of House Bill 79 told the House Judiciary Committee they want stronger penalties to protect referees and umpires and to address a shortage of officials; sponsors said penalties could include fines or community service when offenders are indigent.
Representatives told the House Judiciary Committee on the first hearing of House Bill 79 that the measure would raise penalties for assaulting sports officials and help retain and recruit referees at youth, high school and amateur sporting events.
The bill’s sponsor, Representative Romer, said the measure is a reintroduction of a prior bill and that its core aim is protection: “we believe that it's important that our state take steps to ensure the protection of sports officials,” he told the committee. Joint sponsor Representative Miller said the…
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