An Act to prevent assaults on sports officials

This bill amends Massachusetts law to specifically protect sports officials, such as referees and umpires, from physical attacks. It establishes that anyone who assaults an official before, during, or immediately after a game faces fines ranging from $500 to $5,000 or imprisonment for 90 days to two and a half years. Additionally, the legislation makes it a crime to force an official to stay on the field after a contest has ended, punishable by a fine up to $200 or up to 30 days in jail. These measures apply to paid and volunteer officials working in interscholastic, intercollegiate, amateur, and professional athletic events.