The New Hampshire Legislature recently passed a bill imposing new penalties for individuals who harass or assault sports officials at games. The legislation defines a “sports official” as anyone enforcing rules at sporting events and bans individuals convicted of abusing officials from participating in sports events. Repeat offenders may face a lifetime ban, and violating the ban could result in a fine of $1,000 per violation. This legislation aims to protect officials, players, and the integrity of sports games.
Sen. Lou D’Allesandro, the bill’s sponsor, emphasizes the need to safeguard officials from aggression and frustration from fans, players, or coaches. Other states such as California, Delaware, and Massachusetts have also enacted laws to protect umpires and referees. Massachusetts, in particular, faced a high school referee shortage due to abusive behavior from parents and fans last fall.
Richard Pearson from the Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association highlighted the challenges of recruiting officials because of abuse incidents. The shortage forced some communities to hold varsity football games on Thursday nights. The legislation in New Hampshire and other states aims to curb abusive behavior towards sports officials and ensure a safe and respectful environment for all participants.
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