Committee advances bills expanding criminal protections for sports officials

The House Judiciary Committee reported House Bill 102, as amended, by a 25-1 vote and also reported Senate Bill 255 unanimously. HB 102 creates a third-degree misdemeanor to harass a sports official when the harassment is tied to the official's status or acts; SB 255 adds assault of a sports official, volunteer, or nonprofit employee to the list of tier 2 offenses.

Representative Kulik, sponsor of HB 102, said the measure would create protections for sports officials facing harassment at events and that an amendment (01141) modifies the bill's grading provision in title 18, section 2709. "Anyone who's attended a sports game with your children ... behavior has changed at these events that should really be peaceful," Representative Schusterman said in supporting the measure. Counsel told the committee the amendment replaces the bill language with an enhancement in the grading section of section 2709.

Opponents expressed concern about creating new crimes and the bill's breadth. Representative Kinkade said he is "by and large opposed to creating new crimes" but supported reporting the bill so it could be amended further on the floor. Chairman Kaufman said he plans to offer a floor amendment to narrow the bill so ordinary speech is not criminalized and indicated an intent to work with the sponsor.

Senate Bill 255, presented later, was described by counsel as adding assault by a sports official, volunteer, or employee of a nonprofit association to the list of tier 2 offenses; the counsel said it unanimously passed the Senate and takes effect immediately. Both HB 102 (as amended) and SB 255 were reported to the floor by the committee.