Bill > H1481

This bill establishes the crime of "criminal harassment against a sports official" and sets penalties for it. It defines a "sports official" as any person serving as a referee, umpire, line judge, scorer, timer, or in a similar capacity, whether paid or volunteer, during a sporting event and registered with or a member of an organization that provides education and training to sports officials. The bill also defines "sporting event" broadly to include various levels of athletic activities, from interscholastic to semiprofessional. Under this bill, whoever willfully and maliciously engages in acts during a sporting event that seriously alarm a sports official and would cause substantial emotional distress to a reasonable person can be punished by up to 2 1/2 years in a house of correction or a fine of up to $1,000. A second or subsequent conviction can result in up to 10 years in state prison.

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https://malegislature.gov/Bills/192/H1481