Expands the definition of special victim to include sports officials at a sporting event

HB 505 amends the legal definition of "special victim" to include sports officials (like referees, umpires, or linesmen) who are assaulted while performing their duties at any level of sporting competition. This change directly affects certified sports officials by ensuring assaults against them are treated as more serious offenses under the law. The bill specifies that officials must be trained and certified by an authorized organization to qualify under this provision. It does not alter existing protections for other special victims (such as law enforcement or emergency personnel) but expands the category to cover this new group.